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Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial, Inc.
1140 19th Street, NW
Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-383-9009
Web: www.armenian-genocide.org
PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Rouben Adalian
August 31, 2007
Phone: (202) 383-9009
Web: www.armenian-genocide.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial Begins Conversion of Historic
Washington, DC Sites into a New Museum
Washington, DC - The Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial (AGMM)
announced today that its Building and Operations Committee signed
contracts with Washington area firms specializing in museum planning and
construction to begin the development and construction of a stellar
museum in the historic National Bank of Washington building and adjacent
properties.
AGMM selected two firms previously invited to submit proposals for the
site. The Committee awarded its phase one museum planning contract to
the prestigious firm of Gallagher & Associates, www.gallagherdesign.com,
which specializes in the planning, design and management of innovative,
informative, and immersive experiences for museums, learning facilities
and visitor centers. Based in the Washington area, this premier museum
planning firm has steered to completion numerous projects ranging from
exhibit and visitor centers at Jamestown Settlement in Virginia and the
Gettysburg National Battlefield in Pennsylvania, to a multimedia
re-creation of the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival in New York.
Significantly, Gallagher & Associates was also selected by the United
States National Archives to showcase its vast collection of historic
documents in a new permanent exhibit on the Washington Mall. The firm
also designed the Montreal Holocaust Museum and has commenced master
planning for the new Woodrow Wilson Presidential Museum. The Gallagher
proposal for AGMM was reviewed by leading scholars in the fields of
Armenian and genocide studies.
The Committee also awarded a phase one contract to the firm of Martinez
& Johnson Architecture, www.mjarchitecture.com, which is recognized in
Washington for its expertise in the design of complex, multi-functional
facilities, as well as the restoration of architecturally significant
buildings. Most recently the firm renovated the Boston Opera House,
regarded as a masterpiece of American Baroque architecture. Among many
other projects in the District of Columbia, Martinez & Johnson renovated
and converted the landmark Gothic Revival structure known as the Alban
Towers facing the National Cathedral. The firm will be preparing plans
for the complete renovation and restoration of the onetime bank
structure, whose exterior and interior are designated as landmarks on
the National Register of Historic Buildings, as well as its conversion
into a public space for exhibit and community use.
The two firms also have a track record of cooperation on a number of
museum projects including the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in
Frederick, Maryland, and the National Music Center and Museum in
Washington, DC. Presently they are collaborating on The Artists Hall of
Honor and Museum of the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center.
With their announcement the Committee thanked Hirair Hovnanian, Chairman
of AGMM, who has characteristically stepped up with financial
contributions to allow this phase of development to go forward, and
Anoush Mathevosian, who first proposed the idea of an Armenian Genocide
museum in Washington, for their continued commitment to the project,
which has reached a new stage towards the goal of seeing a memorial
museum in the United States become a reality.
Van Z. Krikorian, in his capacity as chairman of the AGMM Committee,
which was fully authorized to proceed with all aspects of the project's
development and operation, added: "Despite reports that this project
might not get off the ground, I am delighted to inform opponents that
their expectations will not be met. The Committee, Hirair Hovnanian,
Anoush Mathevosian, the Armenian Assembly of America, and all of our
friends are resolved to build this center in our nation's capital. Here
the Armenian Genocide and its legacy will be properly memorialized and
explained through innovative exhibits and a state-of-the-art museum
facility. The future museum will be located at an exceptional site in
the heart of Washington, steps from the White House, and will include
special emphasis on the role of the United States in genocide prevention
and punishment."
Krikorian is joined on the AGMM Committee by Denise Darmanian, Esq.,
Edele Hovnanian, Richard Papalian and Zaven Tachdjian, all of whom have
brought their experience and strong commitment to the Armenian community
to work with the two outstanding firms that will plan, design, and
assemble the museum. The Committee also assigned Dr. Rouben Adalian,
Director of the Armenian National Institute (ANI), to lead the exhibit
planning and historical depiction process.
1140 19th Street, NW
Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-383-9009
Web: www.armenian-genocide.org
PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Rouben Adalian
August 31, 2007
Phone: (202) 383-9009
Web: www.armenian-genocide.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial Begins Conversion of Historic
Washington, DC Sites into a New Museum
Washington, DC - The Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial (AGMM)
announced today that its Building and Operations Committee signed
contracts with Washington area firms specializing in museum planning and
construction to begin the development and construction of a stellar
museum in the historic National Bank of Washington building and adjacent
properties.
AGMM selected two firms previously invited to submit proposals for the
site. The Committee awarded its phase one museum planning contract to
the prestigious firm of Gallagher & Associates, www.gallagherdesign.com,
which specializes in the planning, design and management of innovative,
informative, and immersive experiences for museums, learning facilities
and visitor centers. Based in the Washington area, this premier museum
planning firm has steered to completion numerous projects ranging from
exhibit and visitor centers at Jamestown Settlement in Virginia and the
Gettysburg National Battlefield in Pennsylvania, to a multimedia
re-creation of the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival in New York.
Significantly, Gallagher & Associates was also selected by the United
States National Archives to showcase its vast collection of historic
documents in a new permanent exhibit on the Washington Mall. The firm
also designed the Montreal Holocaust Museum and has commenced master
planning for the new Woodrow Wilson Presidential Museum. The Gallagher
proposal for AGMM was reviewed by leading scholars in the fields of
Armenian and genocide studies.
The Committee also awarded a phase one contract to the firm of Martinez
& Johnson Architecture, www.mjarchitecture.com, which is recognized in
Washington for its expertise in the design of complex, multi-functional
facilities, as well as the restoration of architecturally significant
buildings. Most recently the firm renovated the Boston Opera House,
regarded as a masterpiece of American Baroque architecture. Among many
other projects in the District of Columbia, Martinez & Johnson renovated
and converted the landmark Gothic Revival structure known as the Alban
Towers facing the National Cathedral. The firm will be preparing plans
for the complete renovation and restoration of the onetime bank
structure, whose exterior and interior are designated as landmarks on
the National Register of Historic Buildings, as well as its conversion
into a public space for exhibit and community use.
The two firms also have a track record of cooperation on a number of
museum projects including the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in
Frederick, Maryland, and the National Music Center and Museum in
Washington, DC. Presently they are collaborating on The Artists Hall of
Honor and Museum of the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center.
With their announcement the Committee thanked Hirair Hovnanian, Chairman
of AGMM, who has characteristically stepped up with financial
contributions to allow this phase of development to go forward, and
Anoush Mathevosian, who first proposed the idea of an Armenian Genocide
museum in Washington, for their continued commitment to the project,
which has reached a new stage towards the goal of seeing a memorial
museum in the United States become a reality.
Van Z. Krikorian, in his capacity as chairman of the AGMM Committee,
which was fully authorized to proceed with all aspects of the project's
development and operation, added: "Despite reports that this project
might not get off the ground, I am delighted to inform opponents that
their expectations will not be met. The Committee, Hirair Hovnanian,
Anoush Mathevosian, the Armenian Assembly of America, and all of our
friends are resolved to build this center in our nation's capital. Here
the Armenian Genocide and its legacy will be properly memorialized and
explained through innovative exhibits and a state-of-the-art museum
facility. The future museum will be located at an exceptional site in
the heart of Washington, steps from the White House, and will include
special emphasis on the role of the United States in genocide prevention
and punishment."
Krikorian is joined on the AGMM Committee by Denise Darmanian, Esq.,
Edele Hovnanian, Richard Papalian and Zaven Tachdjian, all of whom have
brought their experience and strong commitment to the Armenian community
to work with the two outstanding firms that will plan, design, and
assemble the museum. The Committee also assigned Dr. Rouben Adalian,
Director of the Armenian National Institute (ANI), to lead the exhibit
planning and historical depiction process.
