Stamped for Independence

On September 21, 1991, Armenians voted to break from the Soviet Union, resulting in the re-emergence of an independent state for the first time in 70 years. The Soviet Union was losing its grip and in an attempt to reverse this, Mikhail Gorbachev held a referendum on March 17, 1991, in which most of the population voted to remain part of the USSR. Armenians held their own referendum in September in response, and nearly unanimously voted for freedom. This is the 31st anniversary of Armenia’s independence. However the holiday takes on a somber tone since Azerbaijan recently initiated new attacks against Armenia.

Samovar

Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian is here to tell you an interesting and fun story about a ‘samovar’ in the Museum’s collection. Watch the video to hear Gary’s recollection of when the Museum first obtained this piece and the challenge it took to find information about its history and background, as well as the humor he brings to this recollection.

A samovar is a metal urn used to boil water for tea and it is traditionally used in Russia. It was developed in the mid-18th century, evolving into many different variations and styles. Its usage spread from Russia to Europe, Iran, India, and other parts of Asia.

In the 19th century, the Russian Empire exiled the Molokans—a minority Christian Russian group who did not subscribe to the tenets of the Russian Orthodox Church—to various parts of the Empire. Many Molokans settled in Armenia and their descendants continue to live in Armenia today. The largest settlement of Molokans in Armenia is in the village Fioletovo in the Lori Province near Lake Sevan. The Molokan community has been able to preserve their unique culture and identity, which includes the use of samovars, since settling in Armenia.

Signature Textiles of Wealth

Byzantine motifs adorn fine silk clothing, exceptional needle lace is on the edges of almost every textile, and everything was designed with luxury in mind. This is a glimpse into a wooden 1897 chest containing items belonging to Aroussiag Iskian, Anahid Iskian, and Marie Iskian Tevonian. The collection illustrates what a more well-to-do Armenian family might own during the late 19th and early 20th century. Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian highlights a few items from this thoughtfully organized family heirloom collection.

Highlights from the Collection of Rev. Vartan Hartunian

Neither to Laugh nor to Weep is a book by Rev. Abraham H. Hartunian who was a Protestant pastor from Marash. Rev. Hartunian miraculously survived the Genocide and lived to tell about the ruthless campaign by the Ottoman Turks to eradicate the Armenians. We have many of his personal items including his pocket bible, photos, and keepsakes. His son, the late Rev. Vartan Hartunian, was one of the founders of the Museum and was the pastor of the First Armenian Church in Belmont, MA. It was in the basement of this church that the Armenian Museum first housed its collection before moving to its current location in Watertown. Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian highlights the history of these meaningful pieces in our collection.

Armenian Prayer Scrolls

From the 15th to 19th centuries, prayer scrolls (hmayils) were a favorite item to carry or keep in the home and pass down from generation to generation. Historically, prayer scrolls were used by Armenians and Ethiopians. Scrolls can be quite long and they are either handwritten or printed. Many are illuminated and beautifully decorated with miniatures and calligraphy depicting scriptures, prayers, and spiritual wards. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian highlights several examples in our collection along with a few theories about their uses.

Arthur Mazmanian’s Sculpture on Paper

This past weekend, a member of the museum community generously donated a beautiful painting by New England artist Arthur B. Mazmanian (1931-1979). Mazmanian was known for his abstract wall sculptures. The piece highlighted by Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian, titled “Icon 4,” uses a painting technique that embosses the paper and gives it a texture similar to a sculpture. Framingham State University named its gallery after him, and it presents exhibitions by established, emerging, and student artists.

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.

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.

Musical Scores of Alan Hovhaness

Are you a music aficionado? We have an extensive collection of albums spanning the past 100 years. In addition to recordings, we also have instruments and original scores. Alan Hovhaness was one of the most prolific Armenian composers of the 20th century composers, and Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shares a few related items that once belonged to collector Mark Kaloostian including an original hand-written score.

A Plea for Help from 8th President of MIT

The humble beginnings of Near East Relief began with appeals such as this from Richard Maclaurin, president of Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1909-1920, on behalf of the Children of America’s Fund. Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shares an item acquired from the collection of the late Mark Kalustian that was a passionate plea to contribute towards orphan relief the aftermath the Armenian Genocide and World War I.

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.

Vintage Lecture Poster from Dr. Hubbard Nutting

Missionary Hubbard Nutting of Vermont traveled to the Ottoman Empire in the 1800’s and recounted his experiences in a series of lectures. The object featured by Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian is a poster highlighting his 25,000-mile trek on horseback through Armenia and Kurdistan! Dr. Nutting devoted the rest of his life to telling travel stories for audiences across America.

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.