ACAA renames Hairenik Building in honor of the Hachikian family
WATERTOWN, Mass.—The Armenian Cultural Association of America (ACAA) proudly announces the renaming of its historic headquarters, at 80 Bigelow Avenue in Watertown, Massachusetts, to the Hachikian Family Hairenik Building, in recognition of a generous donation from Diana and Ken Hachikian. The gift reflects the Hachikian family’s enduring legacy of service, leadership and unwavering commitment to the Armenian nation.
The Hairenik Building serves as a central hub for Armenian organizational life in the United States. It houses the offices of the Armenian Cultural Association of America (ACAA), the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Eastern U.S., the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Eastern Region, the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Eastern USA, the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Inc., Homenetmen Eastern USA and the Hamazkayin Eastern Regional Executive. It is also home to the editorial offices of Hairenik Weekly and The Armenian Weekly, the Antranig and Alice Karjian Hairenik Media Center—a multimedia studio producing news, podcasts and video content that amplify Armenian voices across the diaspora—and the ARF Archives, which safeguard more than a century of national, political and cultural history.
In a joint statement, Diana and Ken Hachikian reflected on the enduring significance of the Hairenik Building, describing it as a symbol of Armenian perseverance and identity. They emphasized its role as the home of institutions that educate and empower our youth, safeguard our culture, advocate for our rights, keep our community informed and, now, amplify our collective voices through the Antranig and Alice Karjian Hairenik Media Center. They expressed pride in supporting the ARF, AYF, ARS, ACAA, the Hairenik newspapers and the media center, and shared their hope that this gift will help sustain the vital work carried out there every day.
“It’s an honor to pay tribute to my family and loved ones who instilled Armenian values in me from a very early age,” said Diana Hachikian. “The Hairenik Building is the heart of the Armenian community, as it pays homage to our ancestors and provides hope and prosperity for future generations.”
“For me, this is deeply personal,” shared Ken Hachikian. “The ARF and AYF have shaped every part of who I am—from my earliest days in the Boston Siamanto AYF to decades of activism for the Armenian Cause. This building represents the beating heart of our community, and supporting its mission is a way for our family to give back to the organizations that have given us so much.”
The Hachikian family’s connection to the United States dates back more than a century. Arakel and Armenouhi Hachikian, survivors of the Armenian Genocide, arrived in Boston in the early 1920s to rebuild their lives in the American Armenian community. Arakel was a dedicated member of the ARF for over 50 years and Armenouhi was a long-time member of the ARS. Their children, Vasken and Arpi, were active members of the South Boston AYF chapter. Arakel also played a meaningful role in establishing St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Watertown, where Vasken later served on the Board of Trustees and supported the development of the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC).
Vasken and his wife, Anahid, raised three children—Diana, Ken and Steve—who were all active members of the AYF and continue to embody their family’s deep commitment to Armenian life and legacy.
Diana and Ken Hachikian, whose generous gift made this renaming possible, have each led distinguished lives of service within the Armenian community and, in Diana’s case, American public education. A lifelong parishioner and Sunday School teacher at St. Stephen’s, Diana also served 45 years as an elementary school educator in Illinois’ Aptakisic Tripp school district, where a service award now bears her name. In 2024, she retired as the longest-serving member in the district’s history and was present in Washington, D.C., when her school was honored as a National Blue Ribbon School.
Ken Hachikian has long been a pillar of Armenian activism. A former chair of the AYF Central Executive and founding chair of the AYF Foundation, Ken is a 58-year member of the ARF, a past member of the ARF Central Committee and served as chairman of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) from 2001 to 2016. During his tenure, he helped rebuild the organization’s financial foundation. He currently chairs the Armenian Legal Center for Justice & Human Rights.
Their brother, Steve Hachikian, served for many years on the board of directors of AYF Camp Haiastan, where his efforts significantly improved the camp experience for countless Armenian youth.
“The generosity of the Hachikian family—and especially Diana and Ken’s profound commitment—embodies the essence of our mission,” said ACAA chairwoman Ani Tchaghlasian. “Their lifelong devotion to Armenian organizational life helps ensure that the institutions within the Hairenik Building remain strong, vibrant and deeply connected to the needs of the Armenian nation.”
The newly renamed Hachikian Family Hairenik Building now stands not only as a home for some of the diaspora’s most vital institutions, but also as a tribute to a family whose enduring dedication has left an indelible mark on Armenian life.
God bless the Hachikian family for their generosity and unwavering commitment to the Armenian Nation.
It was with disbelief and dismay that I learned, the Armenian Cultural Association of America, authorized the ‘RENAMING’
of the Hairenik Building, an iconic symbol of the Armenian community in the USA. It has been renamed, The Hachikian
Family Hairenik Building, in recognition of a generous donation by Diana and Ken Hachikian.
I sincerely respect, admire, and thank Diana and Ken Hachikian for their generosity. There are so many significant, meaningful,
and lasting ways, the Armenian community can acknowledge this generous donation and honor the Hachikian family legacy.
In my opinion, renaming the Hairenik Building is not one of them!
The ACAA, led by its handful of trustees, does not have the legal right or moral authority to rename the Hairenik Building.
The trustees, without consensus and support of the Armenian community, empowered themselves to make a fundamental
change to a revered Armenian historical landmark. I believe they meant well, but made a critical misjudgment that will result
in significant repercussions.
The Hairenik Building, itself, has become the physical manifestation of recent Armenian history. It has a 136-year historical
presence in the eastern US. It is where the Armenian language newspaper, The Hairenik, and the English language newspaper
The Armenian Weekly, originated, flourished, and continue to thrive. It is the headquarters of some of the most influential and
vital political, cultural, and humanitarian organizations in the diaspora. It fosters an environment that produces leaders,
encourages collaboration, and strengthens the Armenian community’s enduring voice and spirit. It has become a
powerful magnet, connecting the Armenian American diaspora to its fatherland, Armenia. It embodies the collective struggles,
triumphs, aspirations, and pride of the Armenian American community.
To whom does the Hairenik Building belong? It belongs to the holy martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. It belongs to those who
survived the Armenian Genocide, rebuilt their lives, persevered in their struggle to preserve, protect, and defend their
Armenian culture and heritage. It belongs to the Armenian American community. It belongs to the Armenian people.
It belongs to you, and to me. It belongs to Armenian history…….past, present, and future, and should forever retain its
original name, HAIRENIK BUILDING!
I couldn’t have agreed more with your comments; and with all due respect and admiration to the Hachikian family. A building that houses all the institutions that were menioted could not be named anything but the Hairenik Building.
Hazel Barsamian and her family contributed in meaningful manner to Hai Tahd and the Chicago community for decades.
Her observations are respectful and correct.
The Hachigian family has a substantial chapter to itself in all aspects of eastern region history.
“Hairenik” is a symbol of nationalism; the word means “Fatherland”.
Such symbols –and the various meanings Hazel pays respect to–have no peer and “Fatherland” should not be secondary to anyone or any institution.
The history and symbolism of the Hairenik Building are deeply meaningful to all of us who cherish the legacy of the Armenian community in the United States. It is important to note that many important buildings carry the name of respectful families who have stood by and supported our mission through the decades. This tradition is not intended to diminish the historical significance of the building’s original name, but rather to honor those whose generosity ensures its preservation and continued service to the community. The addition of the Hachikian family’s name reflects profound gratitude for their contribution and their commitment to sustaining the very work and values the Hairenik Building represents. The building’s history, its role in fostering Armenian culture, and its symbolic importance remain unchanged.
This renaming is more than a plaque—it’s a tribute to generational leadership and selfless giving. Hats off to the Hachikian family for making sure our institutions stay strong, visible, and mission-driven in the heart of the diaspora.
How unfortunate. I suggest that if there is true sacrifice on the Hachigian family, Mr hachigian should decline this replacement of an Armenian icon with personal glory and enhancement. The Hachigians are not the. Only ones who have served our cause. Sharon the ones who dreamt up this abomination to our tradition.
The symbolic weight of the Hairenik Building is undeniable—and it remains fully intact. What’s been added is a gesture of deep appreciation for those who have worked quietly and consistently to ensure that our institutions not only survive, but thrive.
Across the Armenian world, it’s common—and meaningful—to recognize families who have stood by our cause with both conviction and generosity. Doing so doesn’t diminish the legacy of a building or what it represents. On the contrary, it strengthens it by connecting our past to those actively shaping our future.
Preserving our heritage requires more than memory—it requires commitment. And when individuals step up with that kind of lifelong dedication, it’s only right that we honor it.
The Hachikian Family Hairenik Building is now part of that tradition. Thank you to the Hachikians for supporting the mission and preserving the heart of our collective identity.
As someone who spent 5 years working in the Hairenik Building (212 Stuart and 80 Bigelow), I am grateful to Ken and Diane for their generous donation and in turn, the ACAA for recognizing their commitment to the mission of those who work inside that building and their associates throughout the eastern United States.
I like some of you have a deep and profound respect and knowledge of the history of the buildings (the current one and the one in Boston); however, I have an equal respect for the work that has taken place there.
The Hachikian gift ensures that in the future this work will continue in THIS building. They deserve to be recognized for that.
A wonderful and well-deserved recognition! The Hachikian family has been a backbone of Armenian-American community life for decades. Their continued generosity ensures that institutions like the Hairenik and ARF remain strong for future generations.
So very proud of Kenneth Hachikian – for so many reasons – for a lifetime of truly exceptional and unfailingly selfless service and sacrifice – of enduring love and strong leadership – for our ancient but ever-young Armenian nation.
Thank you to the entire Hachikian family – a central pillar of our enduring presence on these American shores – for sustaining the Hairenik Building – the beating heart of the Armenian American community.
We are a nation, a community, built on the shoulders of great families. – Aram Hamparian
Deeply moved by this news. The Hairenik Building has long been a symbol of our national perseverance—and now it bears the name of a family whose roots and service run deep in our history. The Hachikians continue to inspire.
Deeply moved by this news. The Hairenik Building has long been a symbol of our national perseverance—and now it bears the name of a family whose roots and service run deep in our history. The Hachikians continue to inspire.
The Hachikian family’s continued commitment to the Armenian Cause is now etched into the very walls of a building that serves as the nerve center of our community life. This act of generosity not only honors their legacy but ensures that the voices of our people—through media, youth work, and advocacy—continue to be heard loud and clear.
I think all the arguments made from both pro and opposing sides are valid more or less but I think the family name added to the original name perhaps puts the focus somewhat on the family while the original name is neutral and much more inclusive. Given a chance to change the name of the place, I would have named it Soghomon Tehlirian Hairenik Building because not only he individually but also his Nemesis Group collectively with connection to the area were the ones who through their dedication, self-sacrifice and deep sense of patriotism brought worldwide attention to the Armenian Cause in the first place!
Reading the above article, and the comments that followed, especially Hazel Barsamian’s, on the renaming of the Hairenik Building, “…symbol of perseverance and identity,” as so beautifully expressed by the Hachikian Family, who generously donated to the ACAA/Hairenik, may God bless them always for what the family has done and continues to do, and, “May the path they walk always be green.”
As for the renaming of the building to the Hachikian Family Hairenik Building, it is unfortunate because the historic Hairenik Building name has now been relegated to second place.
Knarik Meneshian
Incredible gesture by Diana and Ken Hachikian! This renaming honors not just a gift, but a lifelong legacy of service, activism, and love for the Armenian nation. It’s a proud moment for our entire community.