Greek-American Historical Museum of Washington State

Business Owner

The Bossy Lady From Birch Bay
,

Harieklia Nina Meras-Bryant
Business Owner Central Greece Church Exhibits First Generation Greece Hobbies Making a Living Nationality Organizations Philoptochos Puget Sound Sales ST. SOPHIA Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

THE BOSSY LADY FROM BIRCH BAY Harieklia Nina Meras-Bryant is a self-proclaimed “bossy lady,” a characteristic that has contributed to her success and her …

Read More, View Photos and Video
The Gentleman From Bellingham
,

John J. Franks
Assumption Business Owner Church Exhibits First Generation Making a Living Nationality Seattle Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

THE GENTLEMAN FROM BELLINGHAM John J. Franks was born in Bellingham, Washington, on July 24, 1929, where he attended both high school and college. …

Read More, View Photos and Video
Working in a Floral Paradise
,

Louie and Mary Malesis
AHEPA Business Owner Central Greece Church Exhibits Greece Immigrant Making a Living Nationality Organizations Puget Sound Real Estate Saint Demetrios Type of Work Washington State

Louie and Mary Malesis have made significant contributions to both the Renton and Seattle, Washington, communities. In 2015 their granddaughter Sophia Giakoumatos interviewed her grandfather and the results of that interview are presented here. Their story is supplemented with information in italics from a video interview with both Louie and Mary in 2017.

Read More, View Photos and Video
Authentic Cuisine and Technology
,

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.

Read More, View Photos and Video
A Great Life in Everett
,

Harry and Billie Platis
AHEPA Bar Business Owner Central Greece Church daughters Everett Exhibits Hobbies Making a Living Nationality Organizations Restaurant Saint Demetrios Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

It was the close community of Greeks that gave Harry and Billie Platis their happiness and feeling of security while growing up in Everett, Washington.

Read More, View Photos and Video
With a Handshake and Trust
,

K.G. Dino Apostolou
Assumption Business Owner Central Greece Church Exhibits Greece Hobbies Immigrant Making a Living Nationality Puget Sound Restaurant Seattle Type of Work Uncategorized Washington State Western Washington

The descendants of George and Demetra Apostolou comprise one of the largest Greek families in the Seattle, Washington, area. The story begins with Konstantinos “Dino,” one of the eight Apostolou children who came to Seattle between 1962 and 1971.

Read More, View Photos and Video
Ladies of the North
,

The Babunes Sisters (Vasiliki “Billie” Larimer and Ekaterini “Katie” O’Neil)
Assumption Business Owner Church Exhibits First Generation Greece Keeping Community MAIDS OF ATHENA Nationality Organizations Puget Sound Seattle Turkey Type of Work Uncategorized Washington State Western Washington

That’s how Vasiliki “Billie” Larimer (nee Babunes) referred to her mother’s group of friends who would gather at their homes for their regular sessions of sewing, cooking and sharing stories.

Read More, View Photos and Video
Life According to George
,

Pallis Family
Business Owner Cars Church Exhibits Finance Greece Hobbies Homemaker Making a Home Making a Living Nationality Peloponese Puget Sound Real Estate Saint Demetrios Seattle Second Generation Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

Chris George Pallis recalls many “Georgisms” from his father that have influenced his life.

Read More, View Photos and Video
Out of the Detroit Bubble
,

Barbas Family
Business Owner Central Greece Church Education Exhibits First Generation Greece Making a Living Military Nationality Organizations Philoptochos Puget Sound Real Estate Saint Demetrios Seattle Type of Work Washington State Western Washington

Tom, Helen and Demetra Barbas’ family moved to Seattle, Washington, in November of 1944 from a protective Greek “bubble” in Detroit, Michigan.

Read More, View Photos and Video
“Showtime”
,

Yiannis (John) Tziotis
AHEPA Assumption Athens Business Owner Church Exhibits Greece Immigrant Making a Living Nationality Puget Sound Restaurant Seattle Type of Work Uncategorized Western Washington

As his Greek dance students were poised to go on stage, John Tziotis called out “showtime” to raise their spirits for the performance. He has been affectionately known by that nickname since that time.

Read More, View Photos and Video