Greek-American Historical Museum of Washington State

Keeping Community

The Greeks in Washington kept their traditions and culture through a variety of sources including social activities, the Orthodox Church, fraternal organizations, sports and music.

200% Greek from Spokane
,

Stan Kanellos
AHEPA Church Eastern Washington Exhibits Greece Holy Trinity Immigrant Keeping Community Making a Living Nationality Organizations Peloponese Spokane Type of Work Washington State

200% GREEK FROM SPOKANE Stan Kanellos was exceptionally well prepared with photographs, memorabilia and Seven-Star METAXA brandy to tell his story. He and his …

Read More, View Photos and Video
They Never Looked Back
,

Mike and Dora Christofilis
Assumption Central Greece Church Exhibits Greece Keeping Community Puget Sound Restaurant Sales Seattle Type of Work Washington State

THEY NEVER LOOKED BACK As the youngest and second youngest of two large families, Mike and Dora Christofilis are committed to their American ways …

Read More, View Photos and Video
Spokane’s Thrifty Character
,

Argyer “Archie” or “Arch” Cosmos Laloudakis
AHEPA Church Eastern Washington Exhibits Finance First Generation Holy Trinity Keeping Community Military Nationality Organizations Spokane Type of Work Washington State

SPOKANE’S THRIFTY CHARACTER Argyer “Archie” or “Arch” Cosmos Laloudakis was known not just for his tightfisted ways, but also for the devilish humor he …

Read More, View Photos and Video
Even His Parrot Speaks Greek
,

Heracles Panagiotides
Church Education Exhibits Greece Immigrant Keeping Community Military Music Nationality Northern Greece Puget Sound Saint Nicholas Tacoma Thessaloniki Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

EVEN HIS PARROT SPEAKS GREEK Heracles Panagiotides is a scholar, a researcher and a philosopher. Almost everything about him reflects his Greek heritage and …

Read More, View Photos and Video
Her Father Called Her Dascala
,

Andrea Topetzes Mann
Assumption Boating Cars Church Education Exhibits Greece Hobbies Keeping Community law Nationality Organizations Peloponese Philoptochos Puget Sound Second Generation Sports Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

‘HER FATHER CALLED HER DASCALA From the time she was a young child, Andrea Topetzes Mann loved to “play school.” The benefit of education …

Read More, View Photos and Video
Greeks on the Streets 2018
,

AHEPA Cars Exhibits Hobbies Keeping Community Organizations Puget Sound Seattle Washington State Western Washington

  Continuing the tradition, the Greeks on the Streets car club participated in the Greenwood Car Show in Seattle, Washington, on June 30, 2018. …

Read More, View Photos and Video
Greek Immigrant Meets Southern Belle
,

George and Diane Pirotis
AHEPA Architecture Church Exhibits Greece Hobbies Immigrant Keeping Community Nationality Northern Greece Organizations Philoptochos Puget Sound Saint Nicholas Sports Tacoma Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

GREEK IMMIGRANT MEETS SOUTHERN BELLE George and Diane Pirotis’ son, Stavros, has enjoyed a mix of cultures and accents, from his father, a Greek …

Read More, View Photos and Video
We Like the Old Stuff Better
,

Exhibits Hobbies Keeping Community Military Music Music Puget Sound Seattle Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

They may not be Greek but, wherever live Greek music is played in Washington State, Hank Bradley and Cathie Whitesides will most likely be part of the group.

Read More, View Photos and Video
“It’s just part of who we are.”
,

AHEPA Assumption Church Exhibits First Generation Greece Hobbies Information Technology Keeping Community Organizations Philoptochos Puget Sound Sales Seattle Sports Tacoma Turkey Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

Sisters Mary Lou Barton and Joanne Zarkades contribute innumerable hours to their church, not out of obligation but, just like their mother, it is just part of who they are.

Read More, View Photos and Video
“I’m your cousin! I’m your cousin!”
,

Jim Kost
Church Exhibits Government Greece Hobbies Keeping Community Nationality Peloponese Puget Sound Saint Demetrios Seattle Second Generation Sports Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

Family in the Greek culture is very important. Frequently, families will “adopt” people to join them by calling them thea (aunt) or theo (uncle) either for respect, to acknowledge closeness or, to expand a small family. Friends who are godparents to children or sponsors for a married couple are called koumbari and are considered family. Whether at home in Seattle, Washington, or while visiting his ancestral homes in Greece, Jim Kost regularly hears this call from those he encounters.

Read More, View Photos and Video