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Maria, much like Natale Maestri, serves as a crucial guide in our family quest. When I reached out almost a year before our journey, seeking a knowledgeable companion, it felt like a shot in the dark. Discovering that this school teacher shared a familial journey akin to the Maestris was an unexpected joy.

Maria’s great grandfather traversed from Borgo Val di Taro to London via Vigleno, Italy—a parallel journey to that of Ferdinand and Moise Maestri, who were street musicians in London during the mid-1800s.

In our prior exchanges, I mentioned this unique historical connection, and Maria provided invaluable insights that I couldn’t have obtained elsewhere.

Filled with intrigue, my wife and I embarked on this brief pilgrimage from our base in Campi, Albareto, drawn to the enigmatic allure of Vigoleno. Our destination: the cryptic confines of the “Museo degli Orsanti” (Museum of the Orsanti).

In the mid-1800s, Boston’s North End was a lively tapestry of culture, featuring open-air markets and the historic churches of Saint Leonard and the Italian Sacred Heart Church. As if that weren’t enough, the neighborhood was further enlivened by Italian street performers who brought their talents to the bustling streets. With their vibrant music, the street musicians and performers became icons of Italian cultural expression for the immigrant community. Interestingly, the roots of this street performance tradition can be traced back to London, where Italian immigrants had previously established themselves as street musicians.

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My early encounters with statues were limited to the distant tales of the one in New York, symbolizing the welcome to immigrants, and those within the solemn walls of churches.

Jenny Maestri’s maternal lineage traces back to Lucca, Italy, suggesting a potential involvement in the figurine-making trade.  My father would point out the Sacred Heart Statue during our Good Friday visits to the Cabrini Convent’s chapel, along with the two dogs from Barracks St.

Yet, little did I know then that these seemingly disparate encounters were possibly all intertwined.