Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Staff Report
The Saroyan House Museum was inaugurated on Friday, August 31, with a festive ribbon-cutting ceremony and the unveiling of a Saroyan plaque on his former home at 2729 West Griffith Way.
The ceremony, which took place immediately before the celebration at the Satellite Student Union at Fresno State, culminated more than two years of planning and construction, which transformed the home into an innovative House Museum.
Fresno Mayor Lee Brand and “Renaissance Cultural and Intellectual Foundation” founder Artur Janibekyan cut the red ribbon, allowing guests inside to tour the Museum for the first time. Janibekyan and Councilwoman Esmeralda Soria had moments earlier unveiled the bronze plaque marking the historic site as a former Saroyan home.
Saroyan House Board member Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian was the emcee for the afternoon, opening his comments by giving an overview of the Museum project. He then introduced the Mayor, Councilwoman Soria, and Artur Janibekyan, who each made brief remarks.
Just a day earlier, the Mayor and City Council had issued a proclamation declaring August 31, 2018 as “William Saroyan Day” in the city of Fresno. They also recognized the achievement in opening the Saroyan House Museum.
Among the invited guests at the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Ambassador Grigor Hovhannisian, Ambassador of Armenia to the United States; Fresno State President Dr. and Mrs. Joseph I. and Mary Castro; Hank Saroyan, nephew of William Saroyan; Saroyan Project Director Hakob Hakobyan; and Project Manager Avag Simonyan.
At the end of the official program guests were given an escorted tour of the new Museum. Many were impressed by how the innovative technology mediated a greater understanding of the writer himself.
The state-of-the-art House Museum has walls composed of interactive panels which highlight Saroyan’s life through photos and through his paintings. A Saroyan hologram was the culmination of the tour.
Admission to the Saroyan House Museum is free and the Museum will be open Tuesday-Saturday by online reservation only at saroyanhouse.com.