When they began to immigrate to the United States in 1945, the Greek people brought their extensive traditions and culture with them. Although many Greek-American families of today have lived in America for several generations, they still maintain pride in their heritage and their traditions. One neighborhood that perfectly represents this idea is Astoria. Known across the five boroughs of New York City as a culturally rich and diverse neighborhood, Astoria is home to many different ethnicities, including the Greeks.
For our Macaulay Seminar 2, The Peopling of New York City, we focused on the Greek influence in the ethnic enclave of Astoria. If one were to walk down Ditmars Boulevard, one would see thriving “cafenions” (Greek coffee shops), Greek regional organizations, Greek diners and restaurants, Greek Orthodox Churches, and most notably, a bustling community rich with Greek tradition. Our seminar was dedicated to this flourishing Greek community in Astoria, and this website is the culmination of a semester’s work as we discovered how Greek immigrants made Astoria their new home without losing traditions from their heritage.
