Armenian Trunk Tour

STAFF REPORT

The Fresno Historical Society is making available to the community its newest addition, the Armenian Heritage Trunk, part of the Traveling History Trunk Series. In it are numerous books and objects that explain and interpret Armenian history and the story of Armenians in Fresno. Wendy Costa of the Fresno Historical Society and Barlow Der Mugrdechian of the Armenian Studies Program headed the team which put together the heritage trunk. Teachers may borrow the trunk for a week at a time from the Fresno Historical Society for a token fee of $10.

There are objects of interest for children of all ages. For young students there is a doll, a backgammon game, Armenian money, books of costumes, audio and video tapes, a book of recipes, and a notebook full of activities. For older students, there are fifteen copies of the Newberry Honor Book The Road From Home by David Kherdian, two copies of Saroyan’s My Name is Aram, books and articles about Armenian history and architecture, and a curriculum packet about the Armenian Genocide. Students will also be able to enjoy the boxes of crackerbread donated by Valley Lahvosh Baking Co.

The Fresno Historical Society wishes to thank the following individuals and organizations for contributing to the trunk: Mrs. Alice Peters, Zaroohi Der Mugrdechian, Jane Knar, Barbara and John Chookasian, Major Benjamin Amirkhanian, Richard Darmanian, Dr. Dickran Kouymjian and the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State, The William Saroyan Society, the Armenian National Committee, First Armenian Presbyterian Church, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, and Valley Lahvosh Baking Co.

There is always room for more items reflecting Armenian Culture and history; The Fresno Historical Society welcomes donations. For information please call the Historical Society at 441-0862.