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Folsom’s Sister City, Pieve del Grappa
Folsom has shared a Sister City relationship with Pieve del Grappa, Italy for 25 years, originally established with Crespano del Grappa in 2000. This connection honors Folsom’s rich Italian heritage, particularly through the legacy of Giuseppe “Joe” Murer, a prominent community figure who was born in Crespano del Grappa.
Joe Murer immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s and settled in Folsom, where he became a respected businessman, property owner, builder, and early community leader. He bought property and built his Italianate home, the Murer House, which now serves as a cultural and historical landmark celebrating Folsom’s Italian heritage.
The bond between Folsom and Joe Murer’s ancestral home was strengthened in August 1999, when the mayor and representatives from Crespano del Grappa visited Folsom. Following this visit, the Crespano City Council formally extended the Sister City relationship to Folsom.
On January 30, 2019, Crespano del Grappa merged with Paderno del Grappa to form Pieve del Grappa, a consolidation aimed at improving municipal operations. Despite this change, the Sister City relationship remains an important cultural and historical link for Folsom.
This partnership is part of the Sister Cities International program, established in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to promote citizen diplomacy. The initiative fosters cultural understanding and global cooperation through long-term partnerships and exchanges.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of this meaningful relationship, the City of Folsom will host a series of events and programs to educate the community about Pieve del Grappa and honor this international connection.
The Murer House: A Legacy of Italian Heritage in Folsom
In 1921, Giuseppe “Joe” Murer purchased the land for what would become the Murer House. Inspired by his Italian roots, he designed and built the home himself, completing it in 1927 with help from local craftsmen, including Italian immigrant Antonio Zanetta, who plastered the interior and installed the tile roof.
Joe carefully landscaped the property with fruit and nut trees, grapevines, and ornamentals, creating a lush, Italian-inspired garden. His craftsmanship extended beyond the house, as he built terraces using river cobbles to retain the dredge tailings that bordered his land.
Today, the Murer House and Gardens, located at 1125 Joe Murer Court, is a historic site and museum showcasing the legacy of Italian immigration and Folsom’s early development. Operated by the Murer House Foundation, the site offers tours, Italian language and cooking classes, special events, and bocce. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2022.
Each year, the Murer House hosts an event celebrating Folsom’s Italian Sister City, Pieve del Grappa, Giuseppe Murer’s hometown.
Visit murerhousefoundation.org for more information.