The Man Who Made Arshile Gorky Dance

Artist and musician Yenovk Der Hagopian immigrated to United States in the aftermath of the Armenian Genocide and settled in Watertown along with fellow Vanetzi Arshile Gorky. Der Hagopian was known as a folk singer but he was also a refined painter and sculptor. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian displays one of his paintings as well as some of his recordings in our collection.

Rev. Fr. Paretchanian's Bowl and Silver Cup

Rev. Fr. Hagop Paretchanian (1830-1923) was regarded as a hero for being the first priest to minister to the Armenians in Massachusetts in the late 1800s. Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shares two silver pieces that were donated to the Museum by his great-granddaughter. Rev. Paretchanian is remembered for his steadfast efforts towards establishing the first Armenian Church in Boston, and also as a lovable man with a lot of character!

Rupen Gazarian’s Military Career

When we think of the Armenian experience in World War I, we usually think of the Genocide and its aftermath. However, there were other Armenian experiences of the period. This week Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the military career of Rupen Gazarian who volunteered to fight in the United States Army during the war.

Details of his enlistment and what he went through are found in the letters and telegrams his son donated to the Museum along with other military items. Watch as Mr. Lind-Sinanian reads through some of these pieces and discusses some of the other donated objects including medals and uniforms.

The Purple East

William Watson was an English poet popular for celebratory content, eulogies, and idealism. His book of sonnets, “The Purple East,” was an attempt to bring attention to Britain’s lack of intervention in the Armenian massacres of 1895. Although his views were not always well-received, he was regarded as a sincere and passionate poet. In this video, Curator Gary Lind Sinanian displays a special edition of this book and others by Sir Watson in our collection.

Folk Dance Scores and Instruction

Sometimes we find references to Armenian culture in the most unusual places! In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian scrolls through the 1927 book “American Indian and Other Folk Dances” which includes the first English description of the folk dance “Lepo Lele,” as well as instructions of how to dance to this and several other Armenian songs. Put on your dancing shoes and see if this sounds familiar to you!

Folk Dance Scores and Instruction

Sometimes we find references to Armenian culture in the most unusual places! In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian scrolls through the 1927 book “American Indian and Other Folk Dances” which includes the first English description of the folk dance “Lepo Lele,” as well as instructions of how to dance to this and several other Armenian songs. Put on your dancing shoes and see if this sounds familiar to you!

From the Towers of Urartu

In 2021, we relaunched our “art, culture, eternity” exhibition highlighting Armenian artifacts dating all the way back to the Urartu period more than 3,000 years ago. This collection of belts, bracelets, clay pots, and other pieces tell a story of skilled warriors protecting an enormous and powerful kingdom. Listen for more about these artifacts from our Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian, and we hope to see you in our galleries soon!

Machine from Our Past

Our collection includes several examples of vintage Armenian-English typewriters. Thanks to the Estate of Edward Alexanian, we can share this piece with our younger members that may have never even seen a typewriter! This video highlights a pristinely kept Hammond No. 12 that was one of the earliest typewriters ever made and has 38 keys to accommodate the Armenian alphabet.

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.

The Magnificently Preserved Last Supper

As we gather around our tables for Easter, we are reminded of the Last Super in which Jesus bestowed grace upon his disciples and the world. The extraordinary etched table-top piece that Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses in this video was made in 1735 and weighs over 80 lbs. Thanks to Dr. Paul and Vicki Bedoukian we have this on display in our gallery today. Through taking a closer look, we have found many intricate details, characteristics, symbols and secrets behind the design of this table that you will find fascinating!

Normally we share items that are not in our collection that you might not otherwise have the chance to see but for this “Treasures from Our Collection” video, we wanted to share this beautiful item just in time for Easter.

Century-old Kitchenware

Thanks to the generosity of our friend Diane Mott, we have two items in our collection from Armenian kitchens of the late 1800’s. Diane is a renowned textile specialist as well as a former curator of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and a curator from the Young Museum in CA. She donated a metal pot and a colander both of which were commonly used handmade kitchen tools. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian showcased these intricately designed and inscribed pieces that were found in homes of that time period.

Women’s Accessories, and a Painting from Kiev

This week we are sharing two accessories from the late 1800’s. One is a metal box engraved with floral designs and the other is Armenian needlework from the region of Erzurum. Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian also shares a painting of Geghard Monastery by Ukranian-Armenian painter Vladimir Savadian, which was donated to the Museum after his exhibition here in the 1990’s.

Rare Recording by Armenag Shahmuradian

The most prominent Armenian opera singer of the early 20th century was Armenag Shahmuradian. Trained in Paris and known as the protege of Gomidas Vartabed, he established a new record label and created a distinct, recognizable sound. We recently acquired a very rare recording of Shahmuradian, which Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shares along with background on the prominent tenor.

Decorative Fishbowls

From 1860 to 1915, fishbowls were a very common type of dishware. These intricately designed pieces often had scenes of the city etched around the edges with a sculpted fish centered in the middle that wiggled around as liquid was poured into it. This art form was lost but was revived in Yerevan in the 1960’s. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian displays three silver plated antique fishbowls we have here at the Museum.

Helmets of Salvation

A saghavart or crown is a type of headgear that is traditionally worn by most Armenian priests. This beautifully crafted crown is designed with twelve arched pieces that are joined to form a peak which is topped by a cross. The saghavart was not always worn by priests but rather by bishops until the times of the Crusades. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian highlights a piece from 1822 that was generously donated by Paul and Vicki Bedoukian.

Mourad Marching Band

In the early 1940’s, marching bands were a fixture in every American ethnic group. Here at the Armenian Museum of America we have a saxophone, trumpet and a clarinet from the Mourad Marching Band of Providence, RI. Unfortunately, as men returned from war, they did not return to the same pastimes and marching bands slowly became unpopular. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shares yet another piece of the Armenian American experience.

Hidden in Her Braids

In 1987 this item was brought to us in a trunk from Helen Takesian of Tuscon, AZ. This carved wooden tea and coffee box tells the story of her grandfather, Krikor Melkonian, a well-known merchant that took up the hobby of wood carving. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian tells a beautiful story of how coins hidden in his daughters’ braids began this hobby and saved his life!

Stamped and Sealed

This video presents an interesting and newly acquired object from 1894. Can you guess what it was used for? At first glance, it may seem obvious that it was used to hold hot wax for stamps, but it was also useful in fortune telling. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses what types of people may have used this tool and its purpose at the turn of the century.

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.

The Photographic Realism of John Berberian

John Berberian of Providence, Rhode Island, is an artist that draws in the style of photographic realism. This American art movement also known as super-realism began in the 1960s and took photography as its inspiration. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian highlights two of John's incredibly detailed works depicting well-known Armenians.