We, the Friends of The Duke of Abruzzi in the city of Caspian in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, are seeking funds to renovate the Duke of Abruzzi building and grounds.

The organization was established in 1909 by first generation immigrants from Europe who came to this country to make a new start in a new world. They built this lodge in 1914 and it was active into the late 1990’s. It quickly became the hub of social activity in the community and was used for weddings, wakes, meetings, dances and social events of all kinds. To this day, there are still a half dozen men and women who use the Bocce courts that their parents and grandparents once used.

In 1968 it was dedicated as a national historic site to show the importance of immigration into our community and our nation.

In its day it was primarily an Italian organization but we as a community have found that you do not have to be of Italian descent to be a part of a “ family”. We, The Friends of The Duke of Abruzzi, want to renovate the building and grounds and bring back that sense of “family” it once represented and give it back to the community once again.

We need to restore this building and grounds. It is a part of who we were , who we are, who we want to be. We have the enthusiasm but what we do not yet have are enough funds. Ah yes, the great leveler. That my friends are where you can help. We are asking for your support. We cannot do it without your help. We have the will, but you have the means.

Please, won’t you join us in this effort. It is not only a means of paying back what has been given to us but also of paying it forward. We owe it to those who have yet to come like those who had the foresight to build it for us. Please join us in our dream of giving it back to our community.