An Armenian Cultural Treasure for 37 Years

Staff members of the Armenian Library and Museum of America, in Watertown, Mass. (Photo: armenianweekly.com)

The following article is from the Armenian Weekly.

WATERTOWN, Mass.-Ever since she came from abroad as executive director of the Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA) last year, Mariam Stepanyan has worked overtime to bring the 37-year-old facility to another standard.

She's launched more social and cultural exhibits, including an eclectic series of jazz nights; gotten more artists involved in a bigger demographic area; attracted a non-Armenian crowd (40 percent of those attending jazz concerts); and launched a newer and fresher Web site.

The 32-year-old Yerevan native isn't done yet, not by a far cry. She sees an untapped market in children's activities and looks to share some of ALMA's most vital exhibits, beginning in the fall, with Armenian Legionnaires (Gamavors).

A genocide exhibit has been on the road 12 years and gets updated periodically. One of her pet peeves since being promoted in 2005 from office manager is a distinct lack of exposure.

As prominent as this building has remained at 65 Main St., in the heart of Watertown Square, it troubles her to hear talk of nonchalance and ignorance.

An Armenian teller at a nearby bank was shocked to learn of ALMA's proximity and admitted she didn't know its identity, much less its whereabouts.

"I find that pretty discouraging," says Stepanyan. "I want to make sure the secret is out and that people who come here appreciate what we do. I want to boost those numbers."

About 7,000 visitors are apt to come through the door in a given year. In January, a joint holocaust/genocide exhibit drew more than 300. With an increase in paid members (1,500), donors (2,500), and trustees (42), there's no shortage of exposure.

Only Stepanyan wants more.

"We're the largest independent Armenian museum in the diaspora and care about generations," she points out. "More programs for children should be open and free to the public. The heritage and culture is in their hands."

Of particular consequence is a mammoth exhibit titled "Who Are the Armenians?" which opened last fall and tells the epic story of our country's trials and tribulations with a rich repository of artifacts.

As diverse as the culture itself, the showcase could be an archer's bronze belt worn around 700 BC or a silver coin that was minted before the time of Christ; a Bible printed in the 17th century or a "dog collar" that was worn by a victim of the Armenian Genocide in 1915.

Some objects were part of an extensive collection donated by private benefactors. But many items were cherished family heirlooms that were simply collecting dust in people's closets and attics.

Much of ALMA's success over the years can be attributed to the husband-wife duo of Gary and Susan Lind-Sinanian, who've been aboard for more than the past 22 years.

While Gary handles most all the hands-on responsibilities as "curator personified," his wife serves as textile coordinator. For her, it's become a release valve from her 37 years with the Perkins School for the Blind where she teaches home and personal management to the disadvantaged.

"I consider ALMA to be the greatest treasure in the diaspora," says Gary. "The collections are enormous and diverse. Sometimes we don't realize what we have. That's my job. It's a constant learning experience."

A look at April's itinerary showed an exhibit on Armenian village people; another on Armenian textile art; a classical concert and jazz night; a public forum on Armenian genocide; Hymayil-The Armenian Prayer Scroll and "Who Are the Armenians?"

Prominent poetess Diana Der-Hovanessian appeared in May to discuss her translations of Ten Armenian Poems You Should Know.

A photographer showed up with 50 prints to be hung. Not knowing where he should assist, Gary told him to go for a cup of coffee and he would handle it. By the time he returned, the exhibit had been hung better than he could have imagined.

Gary Lind-Sinanian started as a volunteer in 1986 and became acting director five years later. Both he and his wife are also noted for their Armenian dance performances, each well-rehearsed and authentic. Gary is Swedish/Irish by descent-until he met Susan. Now he considers himself "an adopted Armenian."

"I've approached Armenian history as an outsider," he admits. "Susan was at ALMA as a staffer and I just tagged along. She admired the textiles and nobody was taking care of them. Both of us have been part of ALMA ever since."

Gary takes charge of all the exhibits-both the creative side and the installation-and all artifacts, be it storage, cataloging, and acquisitions. To say that he's become a catalyst is an understatement.

"Aside from our trustees, Gary is the most important asset to ALMA," says Stepanyan. "He puts many hours into the job. It's remained his passion."

Gary and Susan traveled to Armenia in 2007. Because of their vast museum experience, they were invited by the Tufenkjian Foundation to help establish similar programs in Armenia under the most adverse conditions possible.

They went to Sushi as consultants to design a local museum for the community in Nagorno-Karabagh. By the time the Lind-Sinanians were done, they created a development plan for a museum/art center similar to ALMA.

A photo of the couple by the ruins of the Zvartnos Cathedral was provoking. This was Susan's first trip to Hayastan. Gary had been there before.

By standards, Stepanyan is a relative newcomer to ALMA but wasted no time getting acclimated. She came armed with three master's degrees in environmental policy, public administration, and political science.

She is married with a 14-month-old son and lives in Watertown. Supervising a staff of six paid employees can be challenging, not to mention 20 regular volunteers and 50 others for special events and needs.

At any given time, you're apt to find Haig Der Manuelian pouring through the archives. On paper, he's listed as board chairman. A more appropriate title might be "devoted servant."

He's been part of the tapestry since 1975 when he donated his family collection. Credit Der Maneulian's perception for the "Where Are the Armenians?" exhibit.

The 3,200-square foot building remains an imposing site in Watertown Square, long a mecca for Armenians throughout the world.

The first two floors house the museum. Contemporary art galleries and offices comprise the third and fourth floors with Armenian non-profits like Project SAVE, Armenian Tree Project, and the Mesrop Boyajian Library. The basement is used as a textile conservation center.

A wish list for items needed are the enhancement of an electronic database for archiving and storing the library catalogue ($2,500); climate controlled, free-standing display case for religious artifacts ($6,000); hard-board for the piano for acoustic purposes ($1,250); and a large 7x9 projector Da-Lite Screen ($700).

Museum hours are Thursdays, 6-9 p.m.; Fridays and Sundays, 1-5 p.m.; and Saturdays, opening at 10 a.m.

"Both triumph and despair pervade Armenia's rich history," Stepanyan points out. "We continue to breathe new life into a country that has struggled over the years amid numerous obstacles. ALMA is not just an investment into Armenia's past but America's future."

Source: ArmenianWeekly.com

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