Greek-American Historical Museum of Washington State

Puget Sound

“I’m your cousin! I’m your cousin!”
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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.

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From the Heart of Greece
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Rakus Family
AHEPA Assumption Central Greece Church Everett Exhibits Finance First Generation Greece Keeping Community Nationality Organizations Puget Sound Real Estate Seattle Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

As Tommy Rakus’ family came from Roumeli, tin carthia tis Elathas (the heart of Greece), his passion for all things Greek originates not from the food, the dancing or the language but from his heart.

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From Smith to Asimakoupoulos
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Greg Asimakoupoulos
Central Greece Church CLERGY Exhibits Greece Hobbies Making a Living Nationality Puget Sound Second Generation Sports Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

Where most Greek families with long names shortened or Anglicized them, Greg Asimakoupoulos’ family did just the opposite. With Greek and Norwegian parents his connections run deep with families in Seattle, Washington, and the northwest United States.

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Jews and Greeks Together
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Sephardic Jews
Aegean Islands Exhibits Finance First Generation Greece Hobbies Islands Keeping Community Music Nationality Northern Greece Puget Sound Real Estate Seattle Second Generation Thessaloniki Washington State Western Washington

In about 1890 two Jewish men, Jack Policar and Solomon Calvo, were traveling in Turkey and were considering migrating to New York City.  On …

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The Best Wealth is your Mind
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Sam Treperinas
Central Greece Church Exhibits Greece Immigrant Making a Living Nationality Puget Sound Railroad Saint Demetrios Seattle Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

Sam Treperinas has many stories to tell about his very successful 50-year career with the railroad and a busy retirement. For Sam and his wife Elly, the title of this exhibit is very appropriate for their experiences and success in life.

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A Badge of Honor to be Greek
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Kenny Dudunakis
Cars Church Crete Exhibits Finance Greece Hobbies Making a Living Nationality Puget Sound Real Estate Saint Demetrios Seattle Second Generation Sports Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

When Kenny Dudunakis was growing up in Pocatello, Idaho, being Greek was a badge of honor. He moved to Washington State in 1989 where he has developed his career in commercial real estate.

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Authentic Cuisine and Technology
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Tasos Manouras and Kiki Karakatsani
Business Owner Exhibits Greece Immigrant Information Technology Making a Living Nationality Northern Greece Puget Sound Thessaloniki Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

Tasos Manouras and Kiki Karakatsani are part of a recent group of Greek immigrants who bring a high level of education to the growing economy in the Seattle, Washington, area.

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Echi O Theos
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Maria Cooper
Central Greece Church Exhibits Greece Hobbies Homemaker Immigrant Making a Home Nationality Organizations Philoptochos Puget Sound Saint Demetrios Seattle Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

During World War II in Greece, Maria Cooper (nee Deligianni) was unable to pursue her schooling. Rather, as a teenager and the oldest of seven children, she was responsible for her younger siblings.

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Their Dreams Fulfilled
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Maria and Christos Govetas
Assumption Church Construction Education Exhibits Greece Hobbies Immigrant Keeping Community Making a Living Music Nationality Northern Greece Puget Sound Reading Seattle Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

When Maria and Christos Govetas immigrated to the United States in 1978, the opportunities for education and successful careers were far beyond their dreams.

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All Below Main Street
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Dorothy Haskell
Church Exhibits Greece Keeping Community Medicine Nationality Organizations Peloponese Philoptochos Puget Sound Saint Demetrios Seattle Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

In the 1940s, McGill, Nevada, a small town in the eastern part of the state, was home for over 100 Greek families. Dorothy (Theodora) Haskell tells the story of growing up in McGill and eventually settling in Seattle, Washington.

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