Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial

National Bank of Washington Building:
The future site of the Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial

For the Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum in Yerevan see: Tsitsernakaberd

Subject:

The victims and survivors of the 1915 Armenian Genocide.

Type of Memorial:

Educational Center, Library, Museum

Sponsor(s):

Armenian-American community under the leadership of Hirair Hovnanian, Anoush Mathevosian, and Gerard Cafesjian

Physical Setting:

The site to be developed as a museum and memorial is in an urban setting and is located in downtown Washington, DC, two blocks east of the White House.

Tourist Amenities:

Yes

Physical Condition:

The use of the historically-designated building and adjacent lots are currently in planning.

Location:

Corner of 14th and G Streets, NW.
Washington, District of Columbia 20001 United States

Proposal Date:

The concept of the museum was proposed in 1997.

Construction Completed:

The original building is a 1925 construction.

Prior Use of Site:

National Bank of Washington building in D.C.

Development/Construction Process:

The AGMM concept was developed jointly by Hirair Hovnanian, Anoush Mathevosian, and Gerard Cafesjian. H. Hovnanian established the Armenian National Institute, dedicated to the study, research, and affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. A. Mathevosian donated funds for the purchase of the original building. G. Cafesjian also donated funds for the acquisition of the original building and the construction of a memorial. G. Cafesjian expanded the site with the donation of four adjacent properties. The project is currently on hold.

History of Ownership:

The property was held in trust by the Armenian Assembly of America from March 2000 to October 2003. Incorporated as a separate organization and properties consolidated as the Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial in November 2003.

Notable Visitors:

• President of Armenia, Robert Kocharian, March 2000

Additional Information:

• "Plans for Museum Bouy Armenians and Dismay Turks" Stephen Kinzer, New York Times (April 24, 2002).
• "Armenians Save Their Tears for a New Museum," By Nora Boustany, Washington Post (May 8, 2002).
• "$100 Million Museum Takes Control of Site" by Sean Madigan, Washington Business Journal (January 30, 2004).

Armenian Genocide Museum Unveils Plans

Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial, Inc.
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600,
Washington, D.C. 20036

CONTACT: Rouben Adalian
Phone: (202) 383-9009
E-mail: ani@agmm.org
Web: www.armeniangenocidemuseum.org

PRESS RELEASE
November 21, 2007

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MUSEUM UNVEILS PLANS
Phase Two Contracts Signed and Development Underway

Washington, November 21, 2007- At the Armenian Assembly of America's 35th Anniversary Banquet in Beverly Hills, California, on November 3, a video and a brochure issued simultaneously unveiled the architecture and exhibit designs for the renamed Armenian Genocide Museum of America. The current plans for the facility call for a 50,000 square foot complex with room to expand in the future.

With renderings prepared by the museum planning firm of Gallagher & Associates and the architectural firm of Martinez & Johnson, the public had an opportunity to see the future museum. A community that had anxiously waited for years to hear about progress on the project welcomed the announcement and applauded the headway made in planning the museum.

The video presented on the museum's development as well as the brochure are now available on the Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial, Inc.'s web site: www.armeniangenocidemuseum.org.

The plans were issued with an appeal by the grandson of Ambassador Morgenthau, Henry Morgenthau III, who writes:

Ambassador Henry Morgenthau would have welcomed this new and daring project to raise a museum in the heart of our nation's capital dedicated to the purpose of informing about the Armenian Genocide and educating the public about the need to prevent such crimes against humanity.

As he sought ways to save the Armenians, Ambassador Morgenthau envisioned a home for them in America. I am certain he would have felt his mission fulfilled to see the Armenian people celebrate their resilience in their adopted country.

Among its many exhibits, the Armenian Genocide Museum of America will feature a Human Rights and Genocide Exhibit, a Multi-Media Armenian Identity Experience, a Survivors Theater, and a Taking Action Center. The Museum is envisioned as a center of learning accessible to all ages, with interactive media and an immersive experience to encourage visitors to engage the problems facing humanity and to defeat the scourge of genocide.

As the announcements were issued, contracts were finalized for Phase Two with Martinez and Johnson embarking upon the preparation of schematic design, design development and construction documents. Gallagher & Associates has also begun the preparation of the schematic design package based on the interpretive plans established during the conceptual design phase. The Armenian Genocide Museum project is now completely on track.

External Links

• http://www.agmm.org - official site