~ By Barlow Der Mugrdechian, reprinted from FresnoStateNews.com
The Fresno house where famed writer William Saroyan spent the last two decades of his life will open as a museum on Aug. 31, the 110th anniversary of his birth, with a private reception. Beginning in September, the William Saroyan House-Museum will be open for tours by appointment online.
A grand opening celebration for the William Saroyan House-Museum will be held at Fresno State’s Satellite Student Union at 7 p.m. on Aug. 31. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with an exhibition devoted to Saroyan’s life. A formal program will begin at 7 p.m. with a movie about the Saroyan House-Museum project, speakers and musical performances, followed by a reception. Entrance is free, but preregistration is required.
“The opening of the Saroyan House-Museum in Fresno marks an important milestone in the history of our community,” said Barlow Der Mugrdechian, coordinator of the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State. “I am particularly happy that the main opening ceremonies will take place at Fresno State, since the Armenian Studies Program has had a long history of teaching courses on Saroyan and organizing numerous conferences dedicated to him. It is the right time for the opening of the house-museum.”
The College of Arts and Humanities at Fresno State 