Archive Alive
This evolving series shines a spotlight on the rich histories and everyday lives of Armenian communities around the world, as seen through the photographs, ephemera, and oral histories preserved in our archive. Each installment will feature a specific community, its people, and stories.
This is an ongoing initiative — and an invitation. We welcome individuals and communities to contribute their photographs and stories to help expand the archive and deepen the narrative.
Community Portraits of the Armenian Diaspora



Los Angeles
Los Angeles emerged as the largest Armenian population center in the United States by the late 20th century, transforming from a small immigrant community into a vibrant metropolis of Armenian life that rivals any diaspora community worldwide.



Iran
The Armenian community in Iran represents one of the oldest continuous Armenian populations outside of Armenia itself, with roots dating back over 400 years to the early 17th century when Shah Abbas I relocated thousands of Armenians from their homeland to develop commerce and crafts in his empire. The community established itself primarily in Isfahan, in the district of New Julfa, which became one of the most prosperous and culturally significant Armenian communities in the world…



Armenia
Armenia, as the ancestral homeland, holds a unique position in Armenian photographic heritage, representing both the roots of Armenian civilization and the dreams of diaspora communities worldwide. The territory that comprises modern Armenia has been continuously inhabited by Armenians for over two millennia, and photographs from the late 19th and early 20th centuries capture the traditional way of life that existed before the devastating events of 1915…

Watertown
Watertown, Massachusetts, holds a unique distinction as the heart of Armenian-America, earning the nickname "Little Armenia" for its exceptionally high concentration of Armenian residents. Beginning in the early 1900s, Armenian immigrants were drawn to Watertown's industrial opportunities, particularly in manufacturing and skilled trades…

Oral History Collection