After World War II, there were thousands of Armenians liberated from German prisoner of war camps. We have several books in our collection that were published during this time period, telling the story of George Mardikian and the Armenian National Committee for Homeless Armenians (ANCHA). In one book published in 1946, we found a memo written to Dr. Aram Boghosian requesting that instead of sending payment, he should make a donation to one of the organizations assisting these refugees and displaced persons. Many of them were eventually resettled in other countries including the USA.
3-in-1 Wedding Band
We have a unique family heirloom from 1887 that was donated by author, actress, and former TV news anchor Cathy Burnham Martin. The ring belonged to her grandmother and is also part of her new historical fiction trilogy. Made by an Armenian jeweler, two adjoining hands meet in the middle to embrace a gold heart that opens up to three separate rings.
To All My Loved Ones Be Happy
"To All My Loved Ones Be Happy," is the inscribed message on a small, beaded bag that orphan Frances Paelian held in her little hand. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian tells us about the significance of blue beads intentionally sewn into her vest and explains other unique items that she had in her possession. These objects were thoughtfully created with purpose and symbolism that is still relevant in our culture today.
Dance the Bijo with Us
Dance is a vital part of Armenian culture, and its preservation is important to us here at the Museum. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian takes us step-by-step to learn one variation of the popular Bijo dance that originated in Sebastia.
While this video is not about an artifact in our collection, many people know that Gary’s talent and passion is in preserving and teaching Armenian folk dance, so it is not forgotten. Gary demonstrates this high energy dance, which was adapted as Sebastatsis immigrated to communities like Springfield and Providence in the aftermath of the Genocide.
Historic Fashion Textiles
Many Armenian dance groups have donated costumes which were designed to replicate garments worn in historic Armenia. Long skirts, vertical stripes, and scalloped edges are just a few characteristics of these outfits. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shows us four 20th century pieces worn by dance groups that accurately represent traditional Armenian dress. We also have more than 60 authentic Armenian garments in our textile collection.
Bathtub Gin
During the prohibition era (1920-1933), many households in the U.S. distilled their own alcohol. "Bathtub gin" refers to any style of homemade spirit made in amateur conditions. The copper still in this video was made by Mihran Aljian and it was shared amongst many Dikranagertsi households in New Jersey. Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian explains how this unusual device was used.
Law Pioneer Norma Karaian
Norma Karaian was the first American-born Armenian woman to become a lawyer in the United States. Norma was the recipient of many awards, including the Armenian Bar Association’s first Honorary Award and the Girl Scouts of America’s “Outstanding Woman of Achievement” in 1993. In her retirement, she was appointed to the Governor’s Advisory Board on Juvenile Justice as well as the Victim and Witness Assistance Board, all while continuing to practice law until her death in 2005 at the age of 100. Both the Armenian-American community and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are richer for Norma’s legacy. These items about Norma Karaian are currently on display in the Family Case near the Museum entrance. This exhibit highlights family histories through a rotating display of donated objects that tell powerful stories.
1882 Eastlake Style Table
Eastlake furniture was named after Victorian-style architect Charles Lock Eastlake and it was popularized in the United States in the late 19th century. Thanks to a donation from Sona and Charles Aslanian, we have an Eastlake-style table made by Iskender Tufenkian. Iskender was an Armenian woodcarver who made furniture that would appeal to Americans at the turn of the century. Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian points out the characteristic design elements of this handmade piece.
The Prolific Works of Hamasdegh
Here in our library, we have gifts presented to Hamasdegh (Hampartsoum Gelenian) as well as several of his literary works. Hamasdegh was a prolific poet and writer who was known and honored for preserving Western Armenian literature. He started working for the "Hairenik" in 1918, adopting the pen name Hamasdegh . Some of his well-known works are the collections of stories “The Village” and "The Rain" which describe an Armenian village with its unique past and images. Other works include the novel "The White Horseman" and other short stories and poems.
Hussenig Village
Here at the Museum we have thousands of objects in our collection, as well as a vast collection of books. Our Mesrob G. Boyajian Library is an invaluable resource with more than 30,000 books in Armenian, English, and other languages. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shows us a book about Hussenig Village written by Mardiros Deranian as well as a very important object. Hussenig was just outside of Kharpert and was the home of St. Varvar, one of the largest Armenian churches dating back to the 13th century.
Calls to Support the First Republic
In this week’s video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian highlights documents that demonstrate the collective fundraising efforts to aid the First Republic of Armenia. After Armenia declared independence in 1918, the main political parties joined forces in the diaspora to support the fledgling republic founded in the aftermath of the Genocide. The documents are from the collection of the late Mark Kalustian.
The Archives of Dr. Lucy Der Manuelian
In this week’s video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian highlights just a few items from the archive of the late Lucy Der Manuelian. Dr. Der Manuelian was a long-time Trustee of the Armenian Museum and she was the first holder of the Arthur H. Dadian and Ara T. Oztemel Chair of Armenian Art in the Department of the History of Art and Architecture at Tufts University.
Dr. Der Manuelian passed away in 2021, and her archives on Armenian Art and Architecture including her vast library, slides, and research papers, were bequeathed to our collection. From hanging out of helicopters in Armenia to capture the perfect shot, to countless hours of research, Dr. Der Manuelian was a pioneer who led an outstanding life! We are fortunate to have such a vast trove of documents and photographs and we anticipate it to be of interest to scholars for years to come. In this video, Gary takes us on a journey to experience how dedicated Lucy was to Armenian culture.
The Functional Art of Georges Bezidjian
Georges Bezidjian was a collector, artist, and jeweler from Aleppo. Georges was inspired by pieces he collected. For instance, he designed a box with crosses for clasps much like an antique women’s belt. He also crafted a gold cross for Catholicos Vasken I with a beautiful emerald that signified it was for the highest member of clergy. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian displays several pieces that were given to the Museum.
Ross Bagdasarian and the Chipmunks
Armenian-American entertainer Ross Bagdasarian from Fresno collaborated with his cousin, author William Saroyan, to co-write the song “Come On-A My House,” which hit number one for Rosemary Clooney in 1951. This tune and a few others evolved and became novelty songs. This led to the inspiration for the cartoon characters Alvin and the Chipmunks. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses how the creation of a unique sound transformed into something that is still popular among children today.
Modern Diaspora Artists
So often we share our more historical pieces with you in our weekly videos, but this week we are sharing items from the more recent past! Diaspora artists offer interesting points of view due to their common Armenian heritage combined with their different adopted homes.In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses two diaspora artists in our collection, Eduard Kazarian and Marie Batlle, and what inspired them to create.
Chimishgazak Map by Mardiros Minasian
Maps tell us so much about place and time. This video features the work of cartographer Mardiros Minasian, who sadly passed away this spring. While his professional work was for the City of Boston, his personal work focused on his ancestral home of Chimishgazak in Kharpert. Watch as Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses Minasian’s career and passion.
George Mardikian
While we are all familiar with Armenian cuisine today, this was not always the case. Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the man who arguably introduced Americans to Armenian foods and recipes, George Mardikian. Watch to learn more about the man and his passion!
Earthquake Relief Campaign
In 1988, Armenia was hit by a devastating earthquake. Naturally those in the diaspora sought ways to help those impacted by the earthquake, but the needs were so great it was hard to know where to start. That was until one young girl from Jrashen Village came to Massachusetts for treatment and sparked an idea of how to help. Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the development of this fundraiser to link Jrashen with its namesake Watertown.
The Georgetown Boys
The Azgapetians went on a speaking tour across America to raise awareness and funds for Near East Relief in the aftermath of the Genocide. Around the same time the small town of Georgetown in Ottawa was also assisting a group of orphans in the Mediterranean by opening up a government-sponsored cultural school for about 50 boys. Watch as Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the adventures of one of these boys, and the Museum’s connection to the school.
PLEASE NOTE: Mr. Lind-Sinanian mentions Ottawa, when he meant to say Ontario. Last week we talked about Near East Relief and the Azgapetian Family.
Founder's Research
Haig Der Manuelian was a lawyer by training but also a passionate historian of Armenian history and protector of Armenian culture. He was the founding Chairman of the Armenian Museum of America who fostered relationships with the illustrious donors of some of our most significant objects in the collection, steered the Museum in its continued growth and success, and was a fixture in the Armenian community. Sadly, Mr. Der Manuelian passed away in 2016, but he left behind a lasting legacy.
Included in that legacy is a number of his personal research materials that he gifted to the Museum. A voracious reader and researcher, we have been fortunate to accept a large portion of his library, but also some of his notes which attest to his dedication and perseverance as a guardian of Armenian heritage. Watch as Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discuss the kinds of dedicated work Mr. Der Manuelian performed to ensure the story of Armenians and their sacrifices are recorded and remembered for generations to come.