The Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California hosted a beam-signing ceremony to commemorate the installation of the first structural steel beams at the construction site of the highly anticipated cultural and educational center.
Communications Director Arsine Torosyan officially kicked off the ceremony by welcoming museum, government and community leaders to the construction site, where the towering structural steel framing is beginning to take shape.
The ceremony featured spirited remarks by representatives of the board of trustees, including co-chair Archbishop Hovnan Derderian representing the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, co-chair Rev. Hendrik Shanazarian representing the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, co-chair Bishop Mikael Mouradian representing the Armenian Catholic Eparchy of the United States and Canada, and Very Rev. Zareh Sarkissian representing the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.
“The Armenian American Museum will soon become a staple of the city of Glendale and we celebrate this significant day with our entire community,” said Glendale Mayor Daniel Brotman.
The mayor was joined by Councilwoman Paula Devine, Councilman Ardy Kassakhian and Councilwoman Elen Asatryan, as well as City Manager Roubik Golanian.
“The exciting milestone of elevating the first structural steel beams is thanks to the commitment of our generous donors, sponsors, partners and community who have come together with a united purpose for a united project,” said Executive Chairman Berdj Karapetian expressing appreciation to the supporters of the museum.
The beam-signing ceremony culminated with the ceremonial signing of the pinnacle structural steel beam, which will soon be installed and become a permanent fixture of the museum building superstructure. Attendees had the special opportunity to mark the pinnacle structural steel beam with their name and signature. The event kicks off a series of community events to be held at the museum construction site.
“The state of California is a proud supporter of the Armenian American Museum, a landmark center that is going to be a beacon of light that will celebrate our cultural diversity, preserve our history and stories, and serve for generations to come,” said state Sen. Anthony Portantino in a statement.
The highly anticipated cultural and educational center is currently under construction in the museum campus at Glendale Central Park. The first phase of construction featuring the museum parking garage and building foundation has been completed. The second phase of construction featuring the two-level 50,820 square foot museum building superstructure is underway.
The mission of the museum is to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience. The museum will offer a wide range of public programming through the Permanent Exhibition, Temporary Exhibitions, Auditorium, Learning Center, Demonstration Kitchen, Archives Center and more.
Learn more about the museum project at ArmenianAmericanMuseum.org.
First published in the February 24 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
