Armenian Heritage Park

Armenian Heritage Park
Armenian Heritage Park location within Boston
General information
Type memorial
Location Rose Kennedy Greenway,
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Coordinates 42°21′40″N 71°03′12″W / 42.361081°N 71.053219°W
Groundbreaking September 9, 2010
Opening May 22, 2012
Cost $5-6 million
Website
www.armenianheritagepark.org

The Armenian Heritage Park is a memorial park dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide located on Parcel 13 of the Rose Kennedy Greenway between Faneuil Hall and Christopher Columbus Park in Boston, Massachusetts.[1]

The memorial includes a sculpture surrounded by a reflecting pool.[2] The sculpture has 24-26 different configurations, which symbolize the dispersion and coming together of immigrants from different shores.[3] The other part of it is a grass labyrinth that not only pays tribute to the Armenian contribution to the United States, but also represents the journey of life.[4]

The Armenian Heritage Foundation, composed of dozens of Armenian-American religious, cultural, and other organizations from around Massachusetts, raised from $5 million[5] to $6 million[6] for the park.

The groundbreaking ceremony on May 22, 2012 was attended by Governor Deval Patrick, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, Registrar of Motor Vehicles Rachel Kaprielian, Sheriff of Middlesex County Peter Koutoujian, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and many Armenian-American citizens and City and Commonwealth officials.[7] Governor Patrick said that the park will be a "beautiful addition to the Greenway as well as a testament to the heritage of Armenian-Americans and Massachusetts' larger immigrant history".[7] Mayor Menino also noted that the park "celebrates the distinctive history of the City of Boston and the generations of immigrants who have made Boston the wonderfully diverse community it is today".[7]

Construction of the park was expected to be completed within 12 months,[7] but actually lasted over a year and the park was opened on May 22, 2012.[8] Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Eduard Nalbandyan and Governor Deval Patrick joined hundreds of attendees from the Armenian community at the dedication of the park.[9]

Jean Murachanian, Art History professor at the University of New England, suggests that the park "is not strictly a genocide memorial, but it incorporates a memorial in its design."[10]

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ Tom Vartabedian (5 April 2012). "Memorial dance event remembers Armenians lost, honors survivors". Andover Townsman. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  2. ↑ Alejandra Matos (22 May 2012). "Armenian Heritage Park opens to honor immigrants". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  3. ↑ Alin K. Gregorian (3 May 2012). "Heritage Park Monument Unveiled". Armenian Mirror-Spectator. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  4. ↑ "Armenian Heritage Park hosts series of early morning walks". The Boston Globe. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  5. ↑ Meghan E. Irons (6 June 2010). "Design for tribute, gratitude". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  6. ↑ Matt Conti (19 July 2012). "Maintenance Firm Hired For Armenian Heritage Park; Greenway Conservancy Loses Bid". North End Waterfront.com. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Governor Patrick Celebrates Progress On Greenway's Armenian Heritage Park". The Official Website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 9 September 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  8. ↑ "Mass. Gov. to dedicate Armenian Heritage Park". The Boston Globe. 22 May 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  9. ↑ "Hundreds Join in Celebration at Armenian Heritage Park". The Armenian Weekly. 22 May 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  10. ↑ Murachanian, Jean (3 July 2013). "A Monumental Purpose: Armenian Heritage Park". Asbarez. Retrieved 23 October 2013.

Coordinates: 42°21′40″N 71°03′12″W / 42.361081°N 71.053219°W