Construction of new Armenian American museum has started in Glendale

Feb 20 2022

GLENDALE, Calif. (KABC) — Glendale is home to a large population of Armenian Americans, and the city will soon be home to a museum focused on their history and accomplishments.

Construction has started on a new museum and cultural center, something the Armenian American community in Glendale has dreamed about for decades.

“This is one step closer to the dream,” Glendale Mayor Paula Devine said. “One step closer to the dream that’s going to be right here for all of us who are so privileged to have this museum in Glendale, in our city.”

The center will have a focus on learning with a wide range of public programming. The museum will house permanent and temporary exhibitions, an auditorium, a demonstration kitchen, and an archives center.

The center will highlight the horrors and lessons of the Armenian Genocide.

“It’s going to be a place that’s going to preserve the memory of all those martyrs from the Armenian genocide,” Armenian American Museum Executive Director Shant Sahakian said. “But also a place for youngsters, and students to come every single year to be able to learn, and educate themselves, and educate others about the tragedy of the Armenian Genocide, but also the perseverance of the people and also as a lesson to make sure those types of things never happen again.”

Located on Colorado Boulevard in Glendale, the center is right in the middle of one of the largest Armenian communities in the United States.

“This project was born with the Armenian genocide centennial as a gift for the next hundred years, the next generation of Armenian Americans, and so for Armenians it’s going to be a hub for the community,” Sahakian said. “It’s going to be a platform for Armenian artists, thought leaders, writers, authors, but also a place that’s going to be a public institution to serve all.”

For Armenian Americans, it will be a new home for their heritage, and for everyone else a chance to learn and better understand this vibrant community.

The center is expected to be open in the summer of 2024.

Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.

Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2022/02/21/construction-of-new-armenian-american-museum-has-started-in-glendale/

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS