National Hellenic Museum

Finally! A museum devoted to all things Hellenic–both ancient and modern.  This is its first year of life.   Could it be that the Greeks are finally getting organized? It seems wonderful– a place that showcases Greek accomplishments, history, and helps people of all cultures connect to what makes all of us Greek.   Full of educational exhibits (currently Gods, Myths and Mortals, what else?), a cutting-edge facility, and especially of note, the Frank S. Kamberos Oral History Center that celebrates that history of Greeks and Greek Americans and serves as a multi-media repository for Greek American histories.  There is even a library and resource center for professor-types to do research into Greek American history.  So you can go here to record interviews of your giagia’s folk tales, maybe do genealogical research of when your family came off the boat.

The museum is so new in fact, that its permanent signature collection, In Search of Home: The Greek Journey From Myth to Modern Day, is not installed yet.  Where else could it be located but Greektown, Chicago? In fact, you can get a glimpse of both modern and historical Greektown on the second-floor whose window provides “an intimate showcase for an augmented reality experience.”

I predict this National Hellenic Museum will become the Delphi of the nation-states.  Hopefully all Greeks of the Diaspora from all 50 states will descend on this cultural center, leave their differences behind, and find commonality that culture and ethnic pride instill.  Bravo! Bravo! We finally have a place to showcase our pride to the world and not just to those around the dinner table.  

Lets support its programmings and make a pilgrimage to Chicago just to check it out.