Alma's Armenian Legionnaire Traveling Exhibit Visits the Racine Public Library

"Légion Arménienne: The Armenian Legion and Its Heroism in the Middle East," a traveling exhibit developed and prepared by the Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA), will be on display at the Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St, April 19-May 31. The exhibit explores the formation, training, military action, and postwar activities of this all‐volunteer force from World War I through photographs and narratives. Visitors can see the exhibit, free of charge, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday/Saturday from 11am-4pm in the Library's 2nd floor reading area.

The Racine Public Library in partnership with St. Hagop Church will host a Grand Opening event on Wednesday, April 21 from 5-8pm. The exhibit will be open for viewing at 5pm with presentations beginning at 6pm. The event will feature presentations by ALMA board member Arakel Almasian and Dr. Levon Saryan, traditional Armenian Oud music by Stephan Fronjian, and homemade refreshments generously provided by the women of St. Hagop Church.

ALMA commissioned this traveling exhibit in response to tremendous interest from the Armenian and Veteran communities. The exhibit tells the story of the brave and selfless young men who fought with the Allies to victory and later risked all in defense of Armenian human rights.

"Légion Arménienne" was curated by Ardemis Matteosian in close collaboration with ALMA Board Members Arakel Almasian and Dr. Barbara Merguerian. It premiered at Northbridge Town Hall in Whitinsville, MA in September and has also been exhibited at the California State University in Fresno and the Pasadena Central Library in California.

The traveling exhibit was made possible by a grant from K. George and Carolann S. Najarian, M.D. Foundation with additional support provided by The Armenian‐American Veterans of Milford, Mass., Inc.

Founded in 1971, ALMA's mission is to present and preserve the culture, history, art and contributions of the Armenian people to Americans and Armenians alike. Since its inception, ALMA's collection has grown to over 27,000 books and 20,000 artifacts, making it perhaps the largest and most diverse holding of Armenian cultural artifacts outside of Armenia. As a repository for heirlooms, the collection now represents a major resource not only for Armenian studies research, but for preservation and illustration of the Armenian heritage. In 1988, ALMA acquired a 30,000 square foot facility in Watertown, MA – one of North America's oldest and most active Armenian communities. The facility includes exhibit galleries, library, administrative offices, function hall, climate‐controlled vaults and conservation lab. Armenian Museum of America (subdivision of ALMA) is the only independent Armenian Museum in the Diaspora funded solely through contributions of individual supporters. An active Board of Trustees and volunteer base augments the museum's staff. The Museum and Gallery maintains an active schedule of changing exhibits. In addition, the Museum sponsors lecture and presentation programs on Armenian‐related topics. The Mesrop Boyajian Library (subdivision of ALMA) is used primarily by researchers and interested general public seeking research materials on Armenians.