BY DEB BRANDT

Lizzadro Museum

Joseph began intentionally growing his collection to include a wide range of carved jade, amber, ivory, coral, agate and gemstones. As his collection grew so did Joseph’s dream of displaying and sharing it with others.”

Just west of downtown Chicago is a dazzling rock and gem resource.

Since its founding in 1962, the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art has been dedicated to sharing with others the deep appreciation the Lizzadro family has for “the art with which man has complemented the works of nature.”

FROM COLLECTING STONES TO BUILDING A MUSEUM

Joseph Lizzadro immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s with his father who was a cobbler. The pair settled in Chicago where his father opened a shoe repair shop.

Joseph went to school and worked in his father’s shop. By 1916, he was a U.S. citizen and began working for Meade Electric Company where he would rise through the organization to become both a stockholder and Chairman of the Board.

Prologue in Heaven, agate cameo from the Faust collection by Dieter and Andreas Roth.

Lizzadro Museum

In 1932, Joseph married Mary Sandretto.