Preserving the global Armenian experience through photography
Project Save Photograph Archive collects original photographs of the global Armenian experience from all time periods. Our collections include photographs from all continents and go as far back as 1870 and up to 2021. We have no constraints on time period or location, and we also collect the work of Armenian professional photographers. We make these photographs accessible to researchers, artists, educators, and for public use.
Copies of photos. As an archive, Project SAVE collects original photos only, not copies- neither copy prints, xeroxes, nor digital scans.
Digitized photographs. Physical or traditional photographs that have been digitized using a scanner, digital camera or other techniques.
Photographs on loan. We accept permanent donations only.
Please package your photographs securely, sandwiched between cardboard or other sturdy materials for added structure. We also recommend including a layer of plastic to prevent water damage during shipping.
If you desire copies, digital or print, please have these made before making your donation. We are not able to do that for you.
If your photographs are particularly fragile, broken, include glass, mold or are sticky, please contact us first before shipping or attempting to repair the materials.
Fill out and print our Photograph Donation Form and include it in your package.
Please provide as much information as possible about the photographs. (If you do not have information about your photographs that’s okay! They still have value and we would like to consider preserving them.) Any and all information is helpful: names, places, dates, stories, and other details. This information will be kept on file. To assist in this process, you may fill out the second page of the Photograph Donation Form, which includes a list of questions. Even if you cannot identify anybody in your photos, we would still welcome them: we collect the unknowns- it’s our mission to honor the forgotten.
Please only use a soft pencil on the back of the photographs. Please do not use pens, even if marked “archival.”
Project SAVE Armenian Photograph Archives
P.O. Box 236
Watertown MA 02471
If you are using a private carrier (such as UPS, FedEx, or DHL) ship to:
Project SAVE Armenian Photograph Archives
65 Main St. 3rd Fl.
Watertown MA 02472
NOTE: We prefer regular mail.
If you wish to drop off your donation in person, please contact us to make an appointment.
Once we receive the photographs we will mail you a Deed of Gift to sign and return to us. The letter will include information about copyright and you will have an opportunity to include your desired Credit Line (your name or your family’s name as you would like it to read when one of your photographs is exhibited, published or otherwise used).
The archival process will begin. Photographs will be accessioned, arranged and described by our archivists. Photographs are housed in archival materials and placed in a climate controlled storage area.
Yes, we do accept documents such as birth certificates, diplomas, business ledgers, travel papers, and books when they relate to the people in your donated photos.
Born digital photographs are photographs that were created in a digital format using a digital camera or a phone.We accept born digital photographs on a case by case basis. Please reach out to us so we can review your materials and decide on best steps.
If there are any questions, please feel free to email or call us. We are happy to discuss further, and provide additional guidance.