Philadelphia, PA – Launched eight years ago, the Greek American Heritage Society of Philadelphia reemerged three years later as a revamped organization. It has been lobbying the Greek community of Philadelphia with the slogan “Our Heritage Makes us Unique, Share Yours.” The society has been campaigning for Hellenes and Philhellenes to join GAHSP.
It was founded by Mary Criticos, a well-known historical figure whose family settled in Old City Philadelphia at the turn of the century. This past month, GAHSP reached another milestone by returning to the Greek community’s roots, moving into historic “Greektown” as it was known.
GAHSP recently reached an agreement with St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral and moved to the third floor of the nearby office building, adjacent to the historic church.
Over the past two weeks, volunteers, interns, historians, and community members have been sorting through materials they carried upstairs into the vacant third-floor offices at St. George.
“We have many wonderful people and interest from Greek-Americans in the region regarding the preservation of our past. We have been going through boxes and crates of items donated to the Heritage Society from families. Some records date back to the earliest days of the community, when the first Greeks arrived here around the turn of the 20th century and even earlier,” said GAHSP President Nick Yiantsos.
“Much of this history needs to be recorded and safeguarded before it’s lost,” Yiantsos added.
But, cataloging and storing history is just one part of what GAHSP is doing. As the organization grows, new projects keep being added. A digital library has been created on their new website for people to share and become part of. Sections for each church and organization are being created to showcase the Delaware Valley’s Hellenic and Greek Orthodox history.
They also sponsor several events each year, such as the upcoming Photographic Tour and Contest of Philadelphia’s Greek Community, hosted this Thursday at Estia Restaurant in downtown Philadelphia. There, the community will share historic images that have been submitted, about Hellenism in and around Philadelphia.
“It’s a way for Greeks to come together and share their common history and get to know each other. As Greeks become immersed in society, they travel the path of becoming Americans and lose their sense of identity,” Yiantsos explained.
The GAHSP also partnered with the Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of Philadelphia and Greater Delaware Valley. Their annual Greek Independence Day Parade continues to unite the Greek community.
Cosmos Philly and the Philadelphia Greek Basketball League have joined as partners, hosting events such as the recent Greek Heritage Night at the Philadelphia Sixers’ game. They also organize the Philadelphia Interview Series, which records community members sharing their stories.
This summer, the doors will open to their new offices, where tours will be offered and the community is invited to visit and contribute. Many cities with Greek diaspora communities across the country have established cultural and museum facilities, such as the National Hellenic Museum in Chicago or the Stathakion Cultural Center in Astoria.
NY. In fact, there are more than twenty different Greek cultural museums in North America. In Philadelphia, it has been a long-awaited dream for many. However, it wasn’t the first time such an initiative was started.
“There was a previous effort to preserve our history by a Greek-American historical society, which was Peter Pitsakis and Father Bandy, and they collected a lot of stuff. It took place around the 70s-80s, and it’s really the moment when the Greeks in Philadelphia first came together,” stated Alexander Kitroeff, associate professor of history at Haverford College.
Kitroeff has worked on many diaspora projects around the world, including SMYRNA: The destruction of a Cosmopolitan city. He is currently collecting and working on a long-term project about the history of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in North America.
“To collect your history means you are established, rooted, and have enough confidence to look back at what happened. You can afford to reflect on the past because your presence is secured,” added Kitroeff.
In addition to Mr. Pitsakis and Father Bandy, another museum, the Greek Museum, Inc., was incorporated at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. It too collected the story of the Greek-American immigrant.
The new GAHSP offices and ongoing projects will establish the organization as a leader in preserving, safeguarding, and promoting the Philadelphia and Delaware Valley Greek-American story. It will continue well into the future and will elevate Philadelphia’s Greek community onto the national stage.