WATERTOWN, Mass.—The Armenian Museum of America will host a book-signing and presentation by Haverhill authors E. Philip Brown and Tom Vartabedian on their new book titled, Armenians of the Merrimack Valley.
The presentation will include images of Armenians covering four generations of life along the North Shore of Boston, specifically Merrimack Valley, where Armenian immigrants settled prior to the 19th century.
Cover of Armenians of the Merrimack Valley
The book, published by Arcadia, details life in eight specific areas: business, culture, education, today’s youth, military, athletics, church, and community and immigrant life.
“When one thinks of the Merrimack Valley, shoe shops and mills come to mind,” said Vartabedian. “For that reason, it was a hotbed for Armenian refugees following World War I. This could be any community that opened its doors to the Promised Land. Through it all came a population that remained tenacious to the overall success of America.”
The program is being co-sponsored by Project SAVE Armenian Photograph Archives and takes place Sat., April 2, beginning at 2 p.m. at 65 Main St., followed by light refreshments. It is free and open to the public.
Brown is currently a social studies teacher at Haverhill High School and teaches world history in Haverhill. He received his B.A. in political science at the University of Massachusetts, an M.S. in applied management at Lesley University and an M.A. in public history through American Public University. He is a member of the Haverhill Historical Commission and author of two other books on local history.
He was moved by the history of the Armenian Genocide and collaborated with Vartabedian for a thesis.
“Despite the genocide, Armenians have contributed immensely to world civilization,” said Brown. “Greater Merrimack Valley has shared in that success with many fine accomplishments.”
Tom Vartabedian, left, and Haverhill High teacher E. Philip Brown show off the book they co-produced on Armenians in the Merrimack Valley. (Photo: Amy Sweeney/Haverhill Gazette Staff)
Vartabedian is a veteran reporter and photographer, having spent 50 years with the Haverhill Gazette, winning numerous awards from United Press International, the Associated Press, and the New England Press Association. He has been a columnist with the Armenian Weekly since 1970 and has served the past seven years on the Project SAVE Board of Directors. Over the past decade, he has provided educational discussions in the schools of Massachusetts as a member of the Armenian Genocide Education Committee of Merrimack Valley.
Inscribed and autographed books will be available that day or by e-mailing Vartabedian at tommyvart@aol.com.
Source: Armenian Weekly
Link: Vartabedian, Brown to Present ‘Armenians of Merrimack Valley’ in Watertown