Greek Archives photograph collection

Collection

Identifier: P0121

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The images in this collection document the ever changing quality of life for the Greek community of Salt Lake City from the turn of the century up to the mid-sixties. Several Greek families are represented in the collection by a large amount of personal family portraits as well as good documentation of businesses started by prominent figures in the early 1900s. Also featured are many images of places in Greece and the United States. Many of the photographs are originals dating back to 1911, but there are also copied images of earlier photographs. This collection will continue to grow in size and diversity.

Dates

1900-1967

Creator

Papanikolas, Helen, 1917-2004 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical / Historical

Short history of Utah's Greek community by Mike Korologos:

On October 22, 2005, the Greek Orthodox Church Community of Greater Salt Lake observed its 100th anniversary. The festivities marked the founding of the first Greek Orthodox Church in Utah, a historically significant occurrence because strong ties to the church are at the core of the founding, perpetuating and expanding Greek presence in the Utah and the West.

Drawn to America and westward to Utah by the promise of jobs, primarily in mineral extraction and the expanding railroad, the Greek pioneer immigrants were seeking a better life than what they faced their native land. With the first major influx of immigrants from Greece occurring between 1900 and1920, (the second was in the 1960s) the early arrivals experienced many hardships, ridicule, prejudice and tragedy. With determination, hard work and with the church fulfilling their religious, social and cultural necessities, the immigrants cobbled together a foundation on which subsequent generations continue to build.

At the time of the centennial observance, some 5,000 citizens of Greek ancestors resided in the Salt Lake Valley with two Greek Orthodox Churches still serving as the catalyst for perpetuating Greek customs, language, traditions and religious beliefs. Driven by the work ethic of their forefathers who stressed upon them the necessity of a good education, the Greek-Americans of Utah has grown in prominence and includes significant number of leaders in the business, cultural, political, educational, judicial, and religious landscape of the Utah, the West and nationally.

To commemorate its 100th anniversary, the Greek Orthodox Community in Utah published a hard-cover, 176-page history entitled "100 Years of Faith and Fervor-A History of the Greek Orthodox Church Community of Greater Salt Lake City, Utah 1905-2005." Long-time chronicler of the Greek community in Salt Lake City, Constantine J. Skedros, is the author.

Extent

2.5 Linear Feet (3 archival boxes) : 384 Photographic Prints

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Greek Archives photograph collection contains photographs documenting life in the Greek community of Salt Lake City. The collection includes portraits from several families and photographs of businesses. Also included are photographs of various locations in Greece and the United States.

Separated Materials

Audio-visual materials were transferred to the Greek oral histories audio-visual collection (A0004), the Interviews with Greek Utahns audio-visual collection (A0086), and the Greek audio-visual archives (A0140).

Manuscript materials were transferred to the Greek oral histories (MS 0329) and the Greek Archives (MS 0530).