Kilis Textiles

The town of Kilis was featured prominently in a New York Times article this week regarding Syrian immigration to Turkey. Kilis was once a hub of Armenian needlework. “Kilis work” is a form of reverse applique and the Museum’s collection includes several examples of large 36 inch square bundle cloths made using this technique. In this video Collections Curator and Textile Curator Gary and Susan Lind-Sinanian discuss the technique and history of Kilis work.

Thorndike Mills

Most people are familiar with Armenian knotted rugs, but the Museum also has a small collection of what are sometimes referred to as “Granny rugs.” These American-style rugs date back to the early 1900s and were typically made by braiding scraps of fabric together and sewing the braid around itself. Thorndike Mills was known throughout the world for its braided rugs. What is less known, is that the company was run from 1957 to 2019 in Palmer, MA, by the Garabedian Family. Armenian entrepreneur Gabriel Garabedian was the head of the company that produced rugs seen in kitchens and doorways across America. Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shares how this company was started and what made the production of these rugs so unique. One of the Thorndike Mills rugs, donated by the Garabedian Family, is on display in our “Family Case” for visitors to see as they begin their tour.

Hovagim's Books

Before the days when data was at the tip of your fingers or with a click of a button, folks carried little black books which carried notes and lyrics to their favorite songs. Often times the melody and instrument would remain but the actual words were forgotten. With these types of books and many others in our collection the sounds of those times can live on forever. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the typical books many immigrants would have with them.

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.

About Marash Embroidery

The Museum is excited to be open again. At the same time, we are continuing to offer virtual programming for people who are unable to visit. In the past our Textile Curator Susan Lind-Sinanian has offered embroidery classes on site. This week she discusses a few Marash embroideries in our collection in anticipation of a “how-to” video next week. This video highlights some of our fabulous embroideries and learn about ways they were used.

Rug Book Collection

The Armenian Museum houses over 200 Armenian rugs, but more than ten times that number of books about rugs! In this week’s video Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses one of these books that itself is a piece of history - it is the first book written about rugs by art historian Julius Lessing. Watch this video to learn about our collection and the significance of this book in particular.

Wedding Dress

In America we typically envision wedding dresses as flowing white gowns, but in Armenia this was not the case. Instead a very fine dress would be worn, which would also be worn at other important events throughout the woman’s life. The dress in this video is not only representative of the Armenian wedding dress style from Erzurum, but is a testament to the spread of cultural traditions and styles as the people who practice them move around the globe. In this video you can learn more about the history of this dress with Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian.

An Explanation of Three-Paneled Dresses

“Form follows function” is a phrase typically associated with architectural design. It usually means that the primary purpose of any design is to support the building’s intended purpose, and then it’s finessed into an aesthetically appealing look. In many cases this applies to fashion as well! In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the influence of daily life for women on the design of their dresses. Watch this video to learn more about the practicality of these beautiful pieces.

The Art of Darvish

Here at the Armenian Museum, our mission is to educate the public about Armenian art and culture, and as such our galleries are filled with typically Armenian works. However, like any other culture, Armenian culture does not exist in a vacuum and can reflect influences from other traditions. This week, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the Persian influence over one family of Armenian artists. The artist André Sevruguin, who painted using the name Darvish, was a son of the Armenian photographer Antoin Sevruguin.

Earthquake Relief Campaign

In 1988, Armenia was hit by a devastating earthquake. Naturally those in the diaspora sought ways to help those impacted by the earthquake, but the needs were so great it was hard to know where to start. That was until one young girl from Jrashen Village came to Massachusetts for treatment and sparked an idea of how to help. Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the development of this fundraiser to link Jrashen with its namesake Watertown.

Altar Curtain

The Armenian Museum has many interesting and sometimes confusing objects. This week we are featuring one of those pieces: an altar curtain. Used to cover the altar during lent, altar curtains have significant religious symbolism and serve as a status symbol for the church. This piece, however, is of unconfirmed origin and has a great deal of interesting imagery. Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the importance and potential source of this incredible piece.

Liturgical Vestments

Liturgical vestments are viewed as opulent and precious. While you might think of how other clothing is made, did you ever consider where or how these sacred pieces are created? It’s a little-known fact that the tradition for Armenian priests is that upon their ordination their families produce their garments. Watch as Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the creative process behind the liturgical vestments we hold so dear.

The Mardouni Theater Company

Al Vega, the beloved Boston jazz player sadly passed in 2011. He was renowned for his skill and for playing with jazz greats including Billie Holiday and Miles Davis. But Mr. Vega was not the only performer in the family. His father, Nigol Vagramian was the founder of the Mardouni Theater Company from Chelsea, Massachusetts. This troupe travelled and performed around New England to great praise. Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the group and the impact they had on their audiences.