Thursday, December 8, 2022
The Invitation
https://www.armenianmuseum.org/mission
The gallery stroll includes viewing https://www.armenianmuseum.org/on-the-edge
The show is a coup for the museum.
https://www.armenianmuseum.org/staff-trustees
Thursday, December 8, 2022
About a quarter of Watertown's 35,329 population are of Armenian descent. A large contingent showed up for the Gallery Stroll tonight.
Arrive at The Armenian Museum of America
Stroll...
Socialize...
Dr. Chuck Hajinian, Board of Trustees, who will address the gathering later...
The show is a coup for the Armenian Museum of America
Admire the art...The gallery includes a new installation, On The Edge.....
Permanent exhibits includes the work of internationally acclaimed photographer Yousuf Karsh...
Sample tasty savory and sweet food...
Before the program begins, I enjoy a conversation with Mary Hilt, who created "Who Today Remembers: Portraits of Armenian Genocide Survivors."
Welcome remarks by Executive Director Jason Sohigian
and President of Board of Trustees Michele M. Kolligian
The surprise of the night...museum trustee Dr. Chuck Hajinian presents to Michele Kolligian the shawl worn by her grandmother in her wedding in 1914.
It is a miracle that the shawl reappeared at all. After the event, Dr. Hajinian wrote
"The shawl had note : 'this shawl worn at Araxi Kolligian’s wedding 1914'. We found out the wedding took place Dec 8 th 1914- it was returned to her grandchildren Michele and Nancy Kolligian on Dec 8th 2022. The shawl was consigned to the trash bin by an antiques dealer who did not recognize its value. It was rescued by Antiques dealer Paddy Nash. Dr Hajinian purchased this shawl and large lot from her. He then showed it all over the country as it is one of the finest knitted item he has ever seen. Finally it was time to be returned to the family."
Dr. Hajinian shows a photo of her grandparents as he presents the shawl to a stunned Michele. After collecting her emotions, Michele donates the heirloom shawl to the museum.
Art and Culture tonight for sure...Eternity will take a little longer.
Art, Culture, Eternity...
Goodnight...
WATERTOWN AND ARMENIANS...Google source
Grass roots start up of the Armenian Museum of America, from a church parish house in 1972 to a four story former bank in Watertown Square in 1988.
The museum has the largest collection of Armenian artifacts in North America
The third largest Armenian community in the United States is in Watertown, where between 7,000 and 8,000 Armenians account for about a quarter of the city's population.
Watertown population was 35,329 in the 2020 census.
Massachusetts is home to the second largest population of Armenians in the country. About 30,000 people in the state are of Armenian descent.
These numbers beg the question...why Watertown? The answer...The Hood Rubber Company that opened in Watertown in 1996...stay tuned for the story.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_Library_and_Museum_of_America
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_Americans
Photos by Paul A. Tamburello, Jr. (museum member)
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