PREFACEArmenia has been an important part of western Asia for almost 3000 years. Yet its contributions are little known. Until now no major museum in the West has had a cohesive collection of Armenian artifacts.
Therefore, when in 1977 the curators of the American Museum of Natural History invited the Advisory Council for Armenian Studies at Columbia University to assist in assembling an Armenian exhibit, we agreed to help.
It has taken almost three years of daily work to collect these artifacts of traditional Armenian life. Collecting them was extremely difficult. Most personal objects had been left behind in Armenian homes during the deportation and genocide of the Armenian people by the Ottoman Turks in 1915. Armenians had arrived in America happy just to be alive. Each of these items seems to have been preserved for us by providence. Donors generously parted with what was sometimes their last sentimental possession saved during the forced flight from their homeland. This exhibit testifies to the pride of Armenian-Americans for their culture of origin: a culture which they wish to share with you.
The exhibit itself has been built to illustrate the ecology, ways of life, esthetics, beliefs and customs that define Armenian culture. This booklet supplements the Armenian exhibit in the new Gardner D. Stout Hall of Asian Peoples at the American Museum of Natural History. It is a brief introduction designed for the general reader who wishes to learn about the Armenian people.
Along with many individual donors from the Armenian-American community, the success of this exhibit is particularly due to the efforts of the following people:
I personally wish to thank Dr. Walter A. Fairservis, Jr., Research Associate, Department of Anthropology, American Museum of Natural History and Scientific-Consultant, Hall of Asian Peoples, who conceived the Armenian exhibit and whose scholarship, contagious enthusiasm and leadership inspired us all; Alex Williams, Chief Designer, Hall of Asian Peoples, for his expertise,
creativity and patience; Cynthia Wilder, for her dedication and continual support; and Monna MacLellan for her help and kindness. My wholehearted appreciation is due all the staff of the American Museum of Natural History who assisted in this project.
I wish to express my gratitude to Jack Guevrekian, whose personal interest and extensive knowledge were of immeasurable help. I am also indebted to His Eminence Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, and to His Grace Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan, for their guidance, counsel and support.
This booklet, chiefly written and compiled by Anahid V. Ordjanian, also includes articles by the following specialists whose expertise has broadened its scope and perspective: Lemyel Amirian, gahan Arzruni, Jack Guevrekian, Dr. Robert H. Hewsen, Haik Ter-Ghevondian. Anahid and I also wish to express our gratitude for the generous assistance of Jack Antreassian and of Dr. Krikor Maksoudian, of Columbia University, New York.
I also wish to acknowledge the contributions of the following people. For publicity: Armine Dikijian, Satenik Kechejian, and Armen Susan Ordjanian (photography); for correspondence: Vahan Avetissian, Mary Chapian, Virginia Devejian, Krikor Vosganian; for the floor plan of St. Hripsime Church: Thomas Ashbahian. And Dikran Dingilian, Elizabeth Gregory, James Keshishian, Rose Mekenian, Emma Melikian, Araxe Mergerian, Artemis Nazerian, Leon Saddler, Krikor Satamian, Helen Shushan, Antranig Tarzian, Elida Telfeyan, Hasmieg Yankelovich, and the Armenian press whose cooperation provided us with continuous coverage and publicity.
Last but not least I wish to express my appreciation to my family; my daughters Anahid and Armen Susan and especially to my husband, Nikit, for his patience, understanding and wholehearted support.
Coordinator of the Armenian Exhibit Project
Advisory Council for Armenian Studies
Columbia University, New York
