Armenian Cultural Association of Maine
About Armenian Cultural Association of Maine
Based in South Portland, Maine, the Armenian Cultural Association of Maine represents one of America's oldest Armenian communities, with roots tracing back to late 19th-century immigration. ACAME was established in 2003 by dedicated community members committed to preserving the unique history and cultural identity of Maine's Armenian diaspora. The organization honors the experiences of early Armenian immigrants who arrived to escape persecution in Turkey, as well as those who came following the 1915 Armenian Genocide. Today, ACAME serves as a vital hub for successive generations of Armenian families and their descendants who call Maine home. A defining achievement of the organization is the installation of a granite monument at Cumberland Avenue and Franklin Arterial in Portland, dedicated to the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide and to Maine's pioneering Armenian settlers. This memorial stands in the historic Bayside neighborhood, once the heart of Maine's original Armenian settlement and now the state's most culturally diverse area. Through community events, cultural programming, and volunteer engagement, ACAME maintains living connections to Armenian heritage while building bridges between Armenian and non-Armenian residents. The organization embodies a commitment to remembrance, celebration, and the continuation of Armenian traditions for future generations in Maine.