Friday, May 10, 2013
We had planned a weekend in Boston for some time. When the bombings occurred at the Boston Marathon just three weeks ago, we considered canceling our trip but, in the end we were determined not to allow crazy terrorist activities to change our lives. “Boston Strong” was the motto exhibited by the residents on nation-wide television, so it was a Go for us.
Signed Marathon Poster & Sneakers
We leisurely drove north, taking our time and enjoying the ride on a beautiful sunny spring day. Our first goal was the Armenian Library and Museum of America in Watertown, Massachusetts, just outside Boston. (website: www.almainc.org) We remembered watching television and waiting for the police to capture the second terrorist hidden in a small boat in someone’s backyard in Watertown. We easily found the museum, parked, and entered the modern building. ALMA is a delightful small museum which is managed by friendly people.
Model of Armenian Cathedral
On the ground floor was an exhibit of the wonderful black & white photography of Yousuf Karsh. He is best known for his famous portraits of Winston Churchill and Ernest Hemingway. Karsh survived the Armenian Genocide in eastern Turkey, immigrated to Quebec, and became a Canadian citizen. He had a photographic studio in Ottawa and traveled the world to take photographs of well known people. Karsh lived in Boston during the late 1990s and died there in 2002. His wife, Estrellita Karsh, donated the portraits to ALMA in order to create a permanent collection at the Armenian Museum.
Armenian History
An informative exhibit depicted the long history of the Armenian people from pre-historic times through earliest Christianity, and the Armenian Genocide to modern day. This exhibit entitled, Who Are the Armenians, attempted to explain the long epic history of the little-known Armenian people. It was a testament to human strength, survival, and resiliency.
Nonny Hogrogian Paintings
Another current exhibit highlighted the work of the Armenian-American author and illustrator, Nonny Hogrogian. She wrote and illustrated many books and won two Caldecott medals for her children’s books, Always Room For One More and One Fine Day. Her charming books beautifully retell Armenian folk tales.
Copley Square
After an enjoyable time at ALMA, we drove into downtown Boston. We found our hotel, the Fairmont Copley Plaza, and happily gave our car to the valet for the weekend. We dropped off our luggage and went out to explore the neighborhood. Copley Square is a public park in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston and was named after the painter, John Singleton Copley.
Memorial
On April 15th as the winners crossed the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon at Copley Square, two bombs exploded killing three people and injuring almost 200 more people. The shock sent chills through every American who immediately remembered the awful events of September 11th. Millions were glued to televisions, radios, and listening devises to receive news of the unimaginable events in Boston and Watertown. Now, a mere three weeks later, Copley Square was quiet and peaceful.
Wall of Running Shoes
We crossed the street and walked into the square, between Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library, to see the public Memorial created by locals and visitors to honor the people hurt by the bombings. A international crowd of people quietly walked among the artifacts. We looked at the running shoes, flags, tee-shirts, candles, and photographs which honored the innocent victims of the recent senseless and brutal acts of violence.
Origami Birds