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Florence exhibition celebrates centuries of ties with the United States

Editorial Staff

An exhibition opening on 2 July 2026 at Florence’s Bardini Garden traces the long-standing relationship between the city and the United States through a selection of historic photographs from the Foto Locchi Archive. Titled Florence and the U.S. – The Story of a Friendship, the exhibition will remain open until 18 October 2026 and has been organised to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the United States’ Declaration of Independence.

The exhibition is promoted by the U.S. Consulate General in Florence, Fondazione CR Firenze and Fondazione Parchi Monumentali Bardini e Peyron, in collaboration with Gruppo Editoriale. It presents ten photographs selected from the Foto Locchi Archive, which has documented life in Florence since the 1920s and today preserves more than five million images.

From explorers to post-war reconstruction

The exhibition places the modern relationship between Florence and the United States within a broader historical context. It recalls figures such as Florentine explorer Amerigo Vespucci, after whom the Americas were named, and Giovanni da Verrazzano, the explorer from Greve in Chianti who charted the bay of present-day New York. It also highlights the role of Tuscan intellectual Filippo Mazzei, whose political ideas influenced debates on liberty and equality during the American Revolution.

Most of the exhibition, however, focuses on the twentieth century, documenting key moments that strengthened the connection between Florence and the United States.

Ted Kennedy with a group Ted Kennedy with a group of Mud Angels at the National of Mud Angels at the National Library of Florence, Library of Florence, which was devastated by which was devastated by the flood of November 4, 1966. the fl ood of November 4, 1966. The U.S. senator, brother The U.S. senator, brother of President JFK, became of President JFK, became a symbol of this important a symbol of this important movement, created to save movement, created to save the artistic heritage of the city ©Archivio Foto Locchi.

The photographs include scenes from the liberation of Florence by the U.S. Fifth Army in August 1944, the work of the Monuments Men in protecting the city’s artistic heritage, and the contribution of American art historian Frederick Hartt to post-war restoration efforts. Other images capture baseball games, social events, Hollywood stars visiting Florence, the city’s growing international tourism industry and the emergence of Italian fashion through the shows organised by Giovanni Battista Giorgini with strong support from American buyers and journalists.

The exhibition also remembers the international response to the 1966 flood, when volunteers from around the world—including many Americans known as the “Mud Angels”—helped rescue Florence’s damaged artworks, books and archives.

The 1950s were marked The 1950s were marked by the great concert seasons by the great concert seasons of the Maggio Musicale of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. In the audience Fiorentino. In the audience were notable fi gures such were notable fi gures such as Clare Boothe Luce, the fi rst as Clare Boothe Luce, the fi rst female U.S. Ambassador to Italy, female U.S. Ambassador to Italy, here during a performance here during a performance by the New York City Ballet by the New York City Ballet ©Archivio Foto Locchi.

Historic personalities

Among the figures featured in the photographs are U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy visiting Florence’s National Central Library after the flood, General Mark Clark, commander of the U.S. Fifth Army during the liberation of the city, fashion designer Emilio Schuberth, actor Tyrone Power and Clare Boothe Luce, the first woman to serve as U.S. ambassador to Italy.

Designer Emilio Schuberth pictured Designer Emilio Schuberth pictured during the third Italian fashion show during the third Italian fashion show at the Grand Hotel in Florence, at the Grand Hotel in Florence, in January 1952. In front, as guests in January 1952. In front, as guests of honor, U.S. Ambassador of honor, U.S. Ambassador James Clement Dunn and his wife, James Clement Dunn and his wife, invited by Giovanni Battista invited by Giovanni Battista Giorgini, ‘the father of Italian Giorgini, ‘the father of Italian ©Archivio Foto Locchi.

Visitor information

Florence and the U.S. – The Story of a Friendship will be on display at Bardini Garden from 2 July to 18 October 2026. Set against one of Florence’s best-known panoramic gardens, the open-air exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to explore the historical, cultural and human connections that have linked Florence and the United States across several centuries through rarely seen archival photographs.

(Photos: ©Archivio Foto Locchi)

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