Treasures from Our Collection
An American Classic Translated
Many novels were translated into Armenian in the 19th century. "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe was an immediate sensation and was translated into over 35 different languages. During the first year of publication, more than 200,000 copies were sold in the United States and over one million in England. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses several editions in our collection.
Calendars
Every December we all get inundated with organizations and businesses sending us promotional calendars. Maybe your grandmother gives you one each Christmas. But in the age of digital calendars on our smartphones, who needs these, right? Maybe not. Watch as Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the calendars in our collection and the important history they document.
Please note: Mr. Lind-Sinanian says "Massis" when he meant "Marash". Massis Bakery still exists in Watertown!
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.
Armenian Embroidery
When we see a textile in the Museum, we may see it as an art form of the past. The Armenian Museum is proud to exhibit laces, regional embroidery styles, liturgical pieces, and other items that demonstrate the customs of previous generations. While the ones in our collection are historical, it is important to note that these traditions are alive and well today. In fact, we offer textiles, home decor, literature, and toys in our gift shop, all of which echo the traditions found in our galleries!
Armenian Rugs
Did you know the Armenian Museum of America has the largest Armenian rug collection in North America? We have more than 225 pieces, and 160 of these rugs have Armenian inscriptions. There are many characters, colors, and motifs that distinguish an Armenian rug including certain colors, an eight-pointed star, a sideways “S”, dragons, and crosses to name a few. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian highlights three rugs that date back to the 1800's and are currently on display in our first-floor gallery.
Saz and Kamancha
This week we are featuring two more instruments from our folk music exhibition. The saz is a plucked stringed instrument that was often carved from a single piece of wood. The kamancha is also a stringed instrument played with a horsehair bow that can be compared to a violin. The great Sayat Nova would always have one by his side. These pieces are on display in our second-floor galleries as part of an exhibition mounted in honor of the late Fred Margosian, a dedicated member of our Board of Trustees. In this video Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian explains how these instruments helped to shape Armenian music.
Oud & Dumbeg
This week we are featuring instruments that reflect the Armenian-American musical experience. These pieces are on display in our second-floor galleries as part of a music exhibition mounted in honor of the late Fred Margosian, a dedicated member of our Board of Trustees. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian explains how the oud and dumbeg became two of the most important instruments in Armenian-American music.
Folk Instruments
We hold an extensive collection of folk instruments dating back to the 19th century. We recently installed a gallery exhibition of these wonderful pieces in honor of the late Fred Margosian, one of our beloved Trustees. Some of the instruments may be familiar like the clarinet or trumpet, while others are unique to Armenia and surrounding cultures. In our new video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses these popular instruments.
Karsh Portraits
The Armenian Museum of America features a hugely popular exhibition of famous Yousuf Karsh portraits in the Bedoukian Galleries, generously donated by his widow Mrs. Estrellita Karsh. We are also fortunate to have several other Karsh photographs that are not on display. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanan shares the images of opera singer Marian Anderson, as well as Karsh’s self-portrait together with Jim Henson and Kermit.
Kilis Textiles
The town of Kilis was featured prominently in a New York Times article this week regarding Syrian immigration to Turkey. Kilis was once a hub of Armenian needlework. “Kilis work” is a form of reverse applique and the Museum’s collection includes several examples of large 36 inch square bundle cloths made using this technique. In this video Collections Curator and Textile Curator Gary and Susan Lind-Sinanian discuss the technique and history of Kilis work.
Thorndike Mills
Most people are familiar with Armenian knotted rugs, but the Museum also has a small collection of what are sometimes referred to as “Granny rugs.” These American-style rugs date back to the early 1900s and were typically made by braiding scraps of fabric together and sewing the braid around itself. Thorndike Mills was known throughout the world for its braided rugs. What is less known, is that the company was run from 1957 to 2019 in Palmer, MA, by the Garabedian Family. Armenian entrepreneur Gabriel Garabedian was the head of the company that produced rugs seen in kitchens and doorways across America. Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shares how this company was started and what made the production of these rugs so unique. One of the Thorndike Mills rugs, donated by the Garabedian Family, is on display in our “Family Case” for visitors to see as they begin their tour.
Hovagim's Books
Before the days when data was at the tip of your fingers or with a click of a button, folks carried little black books which carried notes and lyrics to their favorite songs. Often times the melody and instrument would remain but the actual words were forgotten. With these types of books and many others in our collection the sounds of those times can live on forever. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the typical books many immigrants would have with them.
Preserving Family History
Genealogy has become popular in recent years largely because of databases like Ancestry.com, as well as DNA testing kits and groups like the Armenian DNA Project. Before you can type your family name into Google, though, there has to be a record of your family’s existence. Over the years, some families have donated papers and collections to the Armenian Museum that provide a glimpse into their family history. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses materials we have preserved from one family and the stories they tell.
The Works of Anatoli Avetian
The Armenian Museum is home to a large art collection containing works by Armenian artists in all mediums. One of the more interesting formats is that used by Anatoli Avetian: sheets of metal that are treated with an acid wash. In this video Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the artist’s technique.
The Works of Anatoli Avetian
The Armenian Museum is home to a large art collection containing works by Armenian artists in all mediums. One of the more interesting formats is that used by Anatoli Avetian: sheets of metal that are treated with an acid wash. In this video Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the artist’s technique.
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.
How to Begin a Marash Embroidery
In the past our Textile Curator, Susan Lind-Sinanian has offered embroidery classes on site. Last week she discussed the types of Marash embroideries we have in our collection in anticipation of this week’s Marash embroidery “how-to” video.
About Marash Embroidery
The Museum is excited to be open again. At the same time, we are continuing to offer virtual programming for people who are unable to visit. In the past our Textile Curator Susan Lind-Sinanian has offered embroidery classes on site. This week she discusses a few Marash embroideries in our collection in anticipation of a “how-to” video next week. This video highlights some of our fabulous embroideries and learn about ways they were used.
Marash Embroidery Supplemental Video
Watch as Textile Curator Susan Lind-Sinanian reviews some of the relevant literature and history of Marash embroidery.