 Making a Dream Become a Reality
On
behalf of the Board of The Greek Museum, the Center for Greek American Heritage, we offer sincere congratulations to The National
Hellenic Museum of Chicago for their opening. We know that many years of hard work and tremendous effort has been put
forth to open this prestigious institution. We admire their determination and know that this musum will be a valuable
asset to Hellene and Phil-Hellenes.
As the Co-Founder of the Greek Museum in New York, let me state that years
ago, Anastasia Nicholas, Co-Founder, and I attended a conference in Chicago. We had the opportunity to visit a small
Greek museum that had been created in the mercantile center of the city. We were very impressed and so inspired by the
ideas of such a museum to preserveand record the story of our immigrant forefathers that we returned to New York City determined
to establish a similar institution in the metropolitan area. We had a great role model with the group from Chicago and
also learned that a similar museum had been established in Salt Lake City telling their story of our immigrants out west!
We took on this challenge, and we have been working to establish such a museum in New York. We have been chartered
by the State and have our tax exempt status. With the help of many in the metropolitan area, we have been working to
open a museum here. Our research revealed that there are twenty four other immigrant museums in the City of New York,
but none for the Greeks. We are truly an under documented minory. We have no research library to document our
story and no repository. Since New York served as a portal for so many of our people, it is truly necessary that we
have a museum to preserve, record, and inform the public about the contributions of our forefathers. Many who entered
New York settled in other parts of the country., so the establishment of regional museums such as Chicago and Salt Lake City
are necessary. In addition, efforts are being made to establish simialr museums in California and in Massachusetts.
Frankly, time is running out in trying to find the necessary old documents, photographs, and artifacts. These
are necessary to accurately tell the story of our forefathers. Many of these items are being lost or destroyed.
As the generations move forward, we as a mnority group have been tremendously successful in every field of endeavor.
We should be willing to support the establishment of museums to records our story before the valuable data is lost.
A key mission for the Greek Museum is to raise awareness to the importance and neccesity of opening such a museum here.
With the help of our Honorary Board and our Working Board, we have been collecting artifacts, books, records, photographs.
These photographs have been reproduced and many have been used in various photo lectues that we present to various organizations.
We have been conducting oral interviews of elders, from various backgrounds who discuss their experiences as a Greek American
immigrant. We have mounted two exhibits: one at the Greek Consulat in Manhattan and another at the Queens
Historical Museum in Queens. In addition, we have annually participated in the New York City Immigrant Heritage Week
programs, doing presentations around the city. Plans in the future include a book and a video. All the material
we have colllect is in an insured location.
Although there has been financial support for this project, sadly,
there has not been a groundswell within the Hellenic community, nor from the over 124 Hellenic organizations in the area to
rally in financial support of this project. Why? All agree that such a museum is necessary in New York, yet major
support has been withheld. A popular line is "build it and they will come". However, how can we build
it if we don't have the money?
Perhaps with the success of this wonderful Chicago National Hellenic Museum
people and organizations in the metropolitan area will realize the time is now to step forward and make this museum a reality.
For more information see our website www.thegreekmuseum.com
Again, contratulations to the founders and supporters of the National Hellenci Museum!
published in
NEO Magazine, Februrary 2012.
written by Katherine R. Boulukos, Co-Founder
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