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The Lowell Hellenic Heritage Association is a non-profit association of nearly 150 members. Annual dues are only $15.00.  Give us your support by becoming a member of our association!

The following statement, written by a board member, Tony Sampas, when we first formed our organization, describes the importance of our mission. ________________________________________

On Saturday, October 2, 2000, Panagiota Volos (not true name), one of the last surviving Greek immigrants, died at age 98. Together with other taped Greek immigrant oral histories, their stories reveal their devotion to family, to church and to community, their fidelity to duty and honor, their courage and endurance in the face of adversity and hardship, and not least, their exuberant love of life. Sadly though, and regrettably, too few of these oral histories exist. Now it is nearly too late for any more.

Again, sadly and regrettably, many Greek immigrant photos, letters, documents, artifacts and memorabilia have been thrown away because no one showed interest in saving them. Some old photographs cannot be identified and so are meaningless. Fortunately, there still exists a treasure of physical mementoes in the Greek Community, and people to talk about them.

The Lowell Hellenic Heritage Association (LHHA) has recently incorporated as a non-profit organization dedicated to the collection, identification and preservation of historical materials about the Greek community of Lowell. These items will be stored safely in archives but will also be available for research and reference. In addition we have an active program that includes community forums, workshops, oral history projects, and a web sight exhibit. In 1997, we presented an exhibit , "Acropolis of America: the Greek Community of Lowell, 1930-1940." In October of 2000, we featured an exhibition that depicts the story of the first Greek immigrants to Lowell, 1874-1929. See it now at the Patrick J. Mogan Cultural Center in Lowell Massachusetts.

One story, perhaps partly myth, states that most Greek immigrants to America passed through Lowell. Those that stayed founded the first Hellenic parochial day school and built the first Byzantine - style church in America. We have three beautiful churches and a cultural center. Yet we have no museum to showcase our rich heritage, as do other cities, such as New York City, Chicago, and Salt Lake City. A Hellenic-American museum is prime objective of our longer-range plans.

For Greek Americans, as it is for all cultures, the legacy and heritage left to us by our forebears, illuminates once again the darkened homes of our past wherein reside our most precious loves and our deepest roots. Because of them we know who we are and why we are steadfast in our beliefs and values in this uncertain and ever - changing world.

We ask for your support by becoming a member of the Lowell Hellenic Heritage Association. Join us for there is no one else but ourselves. Only by working together can we preserve our unique Lowell Hellenic American heritage- for ourselves and for future generation.

Board of Directors

 President

Vice-President

Treasurer

Secretary

Board