HELLENIC PRESERVATION SOCIETY

The Continuing History of HPS’s Museum Without Walls

In the 1990’s HPS began a collection of ethnic cultural and religious artifacts, materials and photographs that illustrate Hellenic culture. The tradition of collecting Greek cultural items, periodicals and photographs is a crucial endeavor to preserve and celebrate Greece’s rich cultural heritage. HPS believes that the importance of preserving cultural identity cannot be overstated as a defining component of Hellenic culture.
Greek cultural items, such as antique artifacts, traditional costumes, and handcrafted objects, define, in more modern terms, the essence of Greece’s storied and ancient past. These tangible remnants of history offer invaluable insights into the lives of ancient Greeks, their artistic achievements, and their societal norms. Photographs, in contrast, of which we have hundreds, are visual time capsules, capturing moments of Greek-American life in Northeastern Ohio.

Annunciation Cleveland Choir, c 1948. Tula Fourmas Lodopoulos (Row 1, second from left, Denny Emmanuel (Row 1, 3rd from left), Fr. Lavriotis, Tessie Packis (Row 1, 6th from left). Others in choir but not by row: Stella Micklos, Sue Pallam, Irene Mavrikes, Mike Mavris, Chris Kosmetos, Tony Vercos, Tom Pallam, Dessie Pasalis (Corpas), Violet Samouris, Sophie Lentzas (Tetorakis), George Theodore, Sylvia Alexakis (Zolis), Elaine Pallam (Watson), Rae Mavrikes (Elliott), Ann Mavrikes, Mary Linkas (Lambert), Mike Rekule (aka Russell), Kathy Vercos, Helen Callas (Fox), Thalia Pasalis, Betty Jane Kriaris (Lekas), Ann Lentzas, Stella Kostantaras (Makriaris), Mary Ann Theodosian
ΘΕΙΟΝ ΚΑΙ ΙΕΡΟΝ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟ (God and the Holy Gospel) ΕΝ ΒΕΝΕΤΙΑ ΕΚ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΤΥΠΟΓΡΑΦΙΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΦΟΙΝΙΚΟΣ (In Venice from the Greek typography of Finikos) Hand-chased silver cover. Printed on vellum, 1848. Gift of George Doutztsoglou
Greek keys typewriter, manufactured by Molle, an Austrian watch maker between 1913-1918. Used by Chris Kennes, contributing reporter for Greek language newspaper, “Kuriua” printed in New York City. Metal tyepwriter, all keys with Greek letters, except “Tabulator key”, “Back Spacer”, “CAP”, and “FIG”. Molle written in large letters across the the top where paper is inserted. Molle Typewriter Company also written on botton front of the machine. The tyepwriter is black. The space bar is wood and is painted black but damaged slightly, exposing wood, 1913-1918. Gift of Charlotte Lajoe


Museum Without Walls is a photographic record of items in our collection. In this section, our collection is categorically organized to display textiles, embroidery, costume garments, books and periodicals, religious and liturgical items, modern replicas of ancient Greek art, and hundreds of vintage photos. It is common for us to publicly display an old group photo and have someone nostalgically spot a relative or deceased grandparent.
However, the practice of collecting Greek cultural items and photographs is not merely a nostalgic act; it is an essential means of identity preservation. We know that safeguarding Greek heritage fosters a sense of pride and belonging among both Greeks and Hellenophiles in our community. By preserving the tangible and visual markers of their heritage, individuals can maintain a connection to their roots and pass on these cultural treasures to future generations. HPS takes its responsibility of cultural stewardship seriously. Although the Society lacks a permanent location to display its collections, it endeavors when possible to connect its membership with the cultural items in its possession.

In the meantime, we continue to solicit or otherwise accept donations of Greek cultural items, documents and photos that help perpetuate our culture and honor the enduring spirit of Greece and its profound impact on the world, and the entire collection will always be available to view online.