The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, owned and operated by the Order Sons of Italy in America, is a historic house preserved as a memorial to the lives of Antonio Meucci and Giuseppe Garibaldi. Antonio Meucci, a native of Florence, Italy, lived here until his death in 1889. In 1849, while experimenting with the new phenomenon of electricity, he discovered that sound could be transmitted by electric wires.
Alexander Graham Bell was then two years old. Meucci also extended refuge and sanctuary to the famous Giuseppe Garibaldi, who had been forced to flee his homeland while fighting for the unification of Italy. Garibaldi lived in Meucci's home in the period between 1850-1854. Garibaldi arrived in New York City, in poor health and grieving the loss of his young wife, Anita, who had died in the terrible retreat from Rome. Meucci offered him the hospitality of his home, where Garibaldi worked with Meucci in his candle factory and enjoyed hunting, fishing and sailing with his friend until he was able to resume his trade as a sea captain. In 1854 he returned to Italy to lead his volunteer legions to the victories that unified Italy and won him worldwide fame.