Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute Receives Rug Woven by Ghazir Orphans as a Gift

YEREVAN — The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute has received a carpet woven by Armenian orphans from the Ghazir orphanage in Lebanon during the 1920s as a gift. The donor is Dr. Vahram Shemmassian, a professor and lecturer at California State University, Northridge, USA, who acquired the carpet at an online auction.

The carpet, featuring a floral motif bordered by five bands, reflects the traditions of the Isfahan school in its design. It was created in a carpet factory established in 1923 at the American Orphanage in the Middle East, where more than 3,200 carpets were produced over approximately six years (1923–1929).

The establishment of the factory was initiated by Jakob Künzler, a Swiss missionary and director of the Ghazir Girls’ Orphanage. Known as the “Father of Armenian Orphans” for his pro-Armenian efforts, Künzler was affectionately called “Papa” by the orphans. The factory itself was headed by Hovhannes Tashjian from Urfa.

Notably, 99 years ago, on December 4, 1925, a similar carpet woven by the Armenian orphans of Ghazir was presented to U.S. President Calvin Coolidge (1923–1929). On the reverse side of the carpet, the inscription read: “Made by Armenian girls in the Ghazir, Syria, orphanage of the Near East Relief and presented as a Golden Rule token of appreciation to President Coolidge.”

Since its establishment, the museum’s collection has included other significant items related to the Ghazir orphanage, donated by individuals from around the world. These include a namantip carpet donated in 2017 by Lebanese-Armenian doctor Hrayr-Mkrtich Srapian, a bathroom belt from the Ghazir Orphanage donated by Arshak Davidian in 2013, and the carpet-making certificate of Verzhin Akojanian, contributed by Bruno Tadevosian and Noyemza R. Jivelekyan.