An Armenian Pinwheel

Pinwheels are as American as apple pie and have been used as toys for children and decorating lawns across America for generations. Did you know that they have a direct connection with Armenians and even the Armenian Museum of America? Watch the video to see Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian show a 1920s pinwheel from our collection, hear the story of the development of the modern pinwheel, and learn about the familial ties the Museum has with its creation. And, we have another Armenian educational toy featured as well!

Pinwheels are a type of whirligig, an object that spins or whirls and is powered by wind, hand, friction, or motors. Pinwheels have large cupped surface areas to capture the wind, enabling them to reach their maximum velocity quickly. Conceptual and direct use of whirligigs have existed for millennia, dating back to the ancient Babylonian, Chinese, Greek, and Persian worlds, in large and small variations.

Nansen Passports

Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian is here to teach you about the Nansen Passport, which was vital for many Armenian immigrants and refugees after the Genocide. The Nansen Passport featured belonged to Rouben Ter-Arutunian, who went on to become a designer on Broadway and won the 1959 Tony Award for Best Costume Design.

In the chaotic conditions following World War I, many refugees lacked passports or other legal documents and became “stateless persons.” As a result, they were unable to resettle anywhere without documents to verify identity and citizenship. In response, Dr. Fridtjof Nansen of Norway—an explorer, scientist, and diplomat—was appointed the High Commissioner for Refugees by the League of Nations, and created the “Nansen Passport” in 1922, a legal document that would help refugees to immigrate. In 1924, by the request of the League of Nations, Fridtjof Nansen started to study the repatriation issues of the Armenian refugees.

In June 1925, Nansen visited Soviet Armenia and he succeeded in organizing the repatriation of nearly 7,000 Armenian refugees. Approximately 450,000 Nansen passports were issued and honored in 52 countries. In 1938, the Nansen International Office for Refugees was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts.