Armenian Genocide Memorial, Portland, Maine

The Armenian Genocide Memorial in Portland, Maine, stands as a poignant tribute to the resilience and memory of Armenian families who escaped the atrocities of the 1915 Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire. Located across from the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, at the corner of Cumberland Avenue and Boyd Street, the memorial was dedicated in 2003. Its inscriptions, in both Armenian and English, honor the lives lost and the courageous survivors who found refuge in Portland. Facing the Bayside area, where many Armenian families settled between 1900 and 1925, the monument serves as a reminder of their enduring contributions to the community.

Armenian women played a vital role in shaping this legacy. Before the waves of migration, they helped resettle refugees, offering guidance and support to those arriving in an unfamiliar land. In later years, women like Margaret Barber, who lived to be 98 and passed away in 2013, preserved Armenian culture through food, music, and dance, ensuring that their heritage would thrive in their adopted home. The memorial reflects not only the tragedy of the Genocide but also the strength and cultural richness of the Armenian people who made Portland their own.