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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
18th Century World Maps
In a world with Google Maps and Waze navigation, paper maps have gone the way of the dinosaurs for most people. In the 18th century, however, maps were a vital and coveted item, particularly for merchants. While made for navigation, cartography became an artform as evidenced by the fine detail in the cartouches and depictions of animals and landmarks. Those displayed in the video above were produced in Armenian by the Mekhitarist Order in the 18th century. Watch as Collection Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses trade, maps, and the role of geopolitics in the creation of new maps.
Written Testimonies
The Armenian Museum of America has an extensive library covering numerous topics dating back to ancient Armenia. Many of these are widely available to the public in shops and libraries around the world. However, our archival collection holds personal manuscripts that tell the story of an individual’s experience that can be found only here at the Museum. Click the image to watch as Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the importance of these unique writings and their role in preserving Armenian history.
Marquis Poster
In 1915, there were very few ways to learn about world events other than by newspaper or by corresponding with someone via letter. With the rise of Vaudeville and circuses, however, lecturers were able to reach people across the United States on travelling speaking tours. During the Genocide there were many campaigns to gather support for the Armenians and especially the orphans, but perhaps the most prolific speakers on the matter were General Mesrop Nevton Azgapetian and his wife, Lady Anne. These two traveled on behalf of the Near East Relief Fund to gather financial and political support for victims of the Genocide. Click on the image to hear Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discuss the story of General Azgapetian and his work in America.
Fabric Stamps
Molds are a fast and easy way to mass produce a shaped or patterned product. In Armenia, wooden molds are the mold material of choice and are used for religious, culinary, and textile purposes. There's even a connection to the English royal family! Join Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian as he discusses the types and purposes of wooden molds in Armenian culture.
Founder's Research
Haig Der Manuelian was a lawyer by training but also a passionate historian of Armenian history and protector of Armenian culture. He was the founding Chairman of the Armenian Museum of America who fostered relationships with the illustrious donors of some of our most significant objects in the collection, steered the Museum in its continued growth and success, and was a fixture in the Armenian community. Sadly, Mr. Der Manuelian passed away in 2016, but he left behind a lasting legacy.
Included in that legacy is a number of his personal research materials that he gifted to the Museum. A voracious reader and researcher, we have been fortunate to accept a large portion of his library, but also some of his notes which attest to his dedication and perseverance as a guardian of Armenian heritage. Watch as Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discuss the kinds of dedicated work Mr. Der Manuelian performed to ensure the story of Armenians and their sacrifices are recorded and remembered for generations to come.
Artifacts Relating to Genocide and Genocide Remembrance
The Armenian Genocide is one of the most widely-discussed topics in Armenian History, in part because it was relatively recent, it took place during global conflict, and because today we find many connections between current events and the events of 1915-1923. As part of this discussion, the global Armenian community recognizes April 24th as a commemorative day to honor and remember the tragedy of the Armenian Genocide. However, it wasn’t until 50 years after the first days of the Genocide that this date was established to officially recognize the atrocities.
Printed materials are some of the most concrete representations of moments in history. Join Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian as he presents several pieces of Genocide and Genocide recognition printed materials from the collection, and discusses how they reflect the way in which the public was aware of the Genocide throughout the 20th century.