William Saroyan House Museum facts for kids
The William Saroyan House-Museum building
|
|
| Established | 2018 |
|---|---|
| Location | 2729 W Griffith Way Fresno, California 93705 United States |
| Type | Historic house museum |
The William Saroyan House-Museum is a special place in Fresno, California. It opened on August 31, 2018. This museum is all about the famous writer William Saroyan. It's located at 2729 W Griffith Way, which was the last home he lived in in Fresno.
Contents
The Story of Saroyan's Home
William Saroyan bought this house in 1964. It was a new house in a growing part of Fresno. He also bought the house next door to use for storage. Saroyan lived here until he passed away on May 18, 1981. After his death, the house was sold to new owners.
Becoming a Historic Landmark
On April 2, 1989, the house became a historic landmark. Both the City of Fresno and Fresno County added it to their special lists. This meant the house was important because of its history.
A New Beginning for the Museum
There was an attempt to turn the house into a museum, but it didn't work out. In 2016, a group called the Renaissance Cultural and Intellectual Foundation bought the house. This foundation is from Armenia and was started by Artur Janibekyan. Their branch in the United States is a nonprofit organization.
The Renaissance Foundation worked with the City of Fresno. They got permission to fix up the house. Their goal was to turn it into a museum for everyone to visit.
Opening Day and Special Plaques
The museum was finished in 2018. A special opening ceremony happened on August 31, 2018. This day was also William Saroyan's 110th birthday!
A bronze plaque was first placed on the house in 1989. It listed the books Saroyan wrote while living there. It also honored the people who helped make the house a historic site. This original plaque disappeared in 2015. So, a new plaque was put up on opening day in 2018. It has all the original information plus details about the museum's re-opening.
What You'll See at the Museum
The museum is designed to show you who William Saroyan was. It uses cool technology to bring his life and work to life.
Interactive Displays and Art
Inside, you'll find two walls that react when you walk by. One wall shows many photos of Saroyan. You'll see pictures of his family, friends, and other homes he lived in. The second wall displays some of Saroyan's own sketches and paintings.
Videos, Books, and a Hologram
The museum also has many videos for you to watch. You can see a collection of Saroyan's published books. One of the most exciting parts is a special display. It features a hologram of an actor playing Saroyan. You can even hear William Saroyan's actual voice!
