Chinese Historical Society of America

San Francisco Bay Area residents: celebrate Chinese New Year by joining the #oxonparade with Southwest Airlines Chinese New Year Parade & Festival. Snap and post your pictures with 11 ox statues throughout the Bay Area. Click here for the official contest rules: https://chineseparade.com/contest/

CHSA has loved your Chinese New Year stories -- keep them coming! Comment your Chinese New Year stories: favorite memories, family traditions, hopes, and plans for the Year of the Ox (or send it to us at tinyurl.com/cnyblog) by Friday. We’ll feature your responses on our Community Connections Blog on February 10. Reflections can be anywhere from 50-200 words. Want to write a longer reflection? Submit your blog post by checking the link in our bio or by emailing CHSA!

We join more than 40 other Asian American organizations in the Bay Area denouncing the violence against our communities and demanding action. Collectively, we are holding a press conference this morning: https://fb.watch/3yy9hm2NEU/

CHSA looks forward to working alongside younger advocates of our mission! Introducing Qilu Zhou, CHSA's Design intern! Qilu is currently studying Graphic Design at the California College of Arts. As part of our team, she is involved in CHSA's Chinese American Historical Anniversary project, researching on key events in Chinese American history and will be designing infographics for our social media. As a Chinese student in San Francisco, Qilu notes that Chinatown's community... made her reminiscent of her hometown in China. From the spoken dialect she'd hear to the familiar foods she'd often find, Qilu eventually found great interest in the Chinese American experience, wanting to contribute in preserving the history of Chinese people in America in her own way. In her spare time Qilu, who describes herself as always curious about new things, has an interest in the arts from painting to photography. She is also fan of attending live concerts. We are proud to have you on board Qilu! With your skills and creativity there is undoubtedly so much our community has to look forward to at CHSA! #internship #intern #graphicdesign #CHSA #SFChinatown #ChineseAmerican #AAPI

Join CHSA and author Oliver Chin for a children's program focusing on Chinese New Year. Participants will hear a reading of The Year of the Ox: Tales from the Chinese Zodiac, written by Oliver Chin and illustrated by Jeremiah Alcorn. This popular annual children’s book series features the twelve charming animals that embody the Chinese New Year. Sign-up today: https://cnychildrenyearoftheox.eventbrite.com

Read Richard Auffrey's Sampan Article, "Ruby Foo, Chinatown's First Woman Restaurateur." In his article, Richard writes: "Around 1929, an enterprising and pioneering Chinese woman, Ruby Foo, seized an opportunity, thwarted norms, and opened a Chinese restaurant in Boston’s Chinatown. Her story is fascinating though unfortunately her life was far too short. Despite dying too early, Ruby made a significant impact, and her legacy is and should still be cherished." Click here to... read the entire article: https://sampan.org/ruby-foo-chinatowns-first-woman-restaur/ #chineseamerican #chinatown #food #boston

In this week's Community Connections, CHSA supporter Will Lee reminisces visiting San Francisco's Chinatown during the 1950s as a young child. Will writes: "Mom insisted on only eating Chinese food and our small refrigerator could only store a couple of days’ worth of groceries; going to Chinatown twice a week was a necessity. My dad went by himself on Wednesdays and on Sundays, we went as a family." Read Will's entire post on our blog site and learn more about the streets a...nd shops of Chinatown through the eyes of a young boy: https://chsamuseum.tumblr.com/ #chsacomcon #sfchinatown #chinatown #memories #history

Join Chinese Family History Group of Southern California for "Finding Military Records" this Saturday, November 7th at 10am PT. Filmmakers Katie and Gregg Porter will discuss their process of documenting We Are American Soldiers. They will share their research and how they gathered information about that seldom written chapter in U.S. history, as well as the challenge of finding photographs and films featuring Chinese American soldiers from that era. From his long career experience with the U.S. Army and government, Gregg will provide insights on locating and researching military records. Register here: http://ow.ly/2biT50CcZ5k

#fromthecollection In addition to the 12 murals for Kan's Restaurant, Jake Lee had a successful career as a commercial artist. Lee primarily used watercolor and gouache for his commercial assignments like this watercolor made for Duncan McIntosh, Inc. in 1940.

Join the 1882 Foundation on Sunday, December 13th at 2pm for Talk Story. The program will focus on the historical challenges of assimilation and the melting pot metaphor. Click here to learn more: https://1882foundation.org/talkstory/

#fromthecollection #tbt #museumfromhome The Sing Fat and Sing Chong buildings were some of the first "new Chinatown" structures to open after the 1906 earthquake. Look Tin Eli, a merchant, hired architects to rebuild the Chinatown neighborhood based on Chinese-motif to increase its tourist appeal.

Where Women Made History is an incredible campaign by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Its goal is to discover places and sites in America that are significant to women's history. One such example is the Chinese Telephone Exchange that opened in 1894. While initially operated by men, the bachelor society of San Francisco Chinatown gradually evolved by 1906 as the Chinese Telephone Exchange began to employ mostly women. It played a vital role connecting business p...eople in San Francisco outside of Chinatown to Chinese workers and laborers, expanding employment opportunities. Check out the feature on one of Chinatown's most celebrated buildings by visiting the following link: https://contest.savingplaces.org/3vzo3lh #Wherewomenmadehistory #Women #AsianAmerican #AAPI #SFChinatown #Chinatown #WomenHistory

Check out Felicia Lowe's new project Pacific Getaway, a 360 virtual reality video on Angel Island Immigration Station for the Gold Mountain: Chinese Californian Stories exhibit at the California Museum in Sacramento, California. View the video here, along with Chen Yi's Angel Island Passages, here: http://ow.ly/jA4T50CbULQ

Still looking for the perfect present? Jake Lee's watercolors once hung in San Francisco Chinatown's Kan's Restaurant and showcases aspects of life of early Chinese Americans. Our Jake Lee reproduction prints are an exclusive CHSA item that are available in two sizes and as 5x7 notecards. Now you too can own a piece of Chinese American history! Visit our CHSA online store! http://ow.ly/XyZN50CHcR8 #JakeLee #watercolor #paintings #SanFranciscoChinatown #SFChinatown #Chinatown #art #AsianAmericanArt #AsianAmerican #AAPI #Christmas #holidays

For over 20 years, Arcadia Publishing has reconnected people to the histories of all aspects of American life. The Images of America series celebrates the history of Chinese communities in our country. Composed in a unique pictorial format with vintage images and accompanying captions, Arcadia books animate the cherished memories, people, places, and events that define our community. Available on our online gift store! http://ow.ly/PDTr50CbFD2 #ChinatownUSA #Chinatown #ChineseAmerican #AsianAmerican #AAPI #Arcadia #ImagesofAmerica #community #history

"Corky Lee, a freelance photojournalist, is widely known across America as the undisputed, unofficial Asian American Photographer Laureate. Since 1970, through his iconic photography, Corky has recorded the historical and daily moments of the Asian American journey thru its hued tapestry. With sacrificial passion, Corky has pursued Photographic Justice for all Asian Americans." Read more about Corky Lee in Raymond Chong's AsAm News Article: http://ow.ly/AKwo50C9wfU

We are grateful for friends like you and we appreciate your support of the Chinese Historical Society of America. If you have a minute to spare, please help our organization continue to grow and connect with the community by taking this brief survey (2-5 minutes): https://forms.gle/atmvx5daAhLUpyS38 Thank you for helping us collect the data we need to better serve you.

Ai-jen Poo, winner of a MacArthur Fellowship, is the co-founder and Executive Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, a non-profit organization working to bring quality work, dignity and fairness to the growing numbers of workers who care and clean in our homes, the majority of whom are immigrants and women of color. In 12 short years, with the help of more than 70 local affiliate organizations and chapters and over 200,000 members, the National Domestic Workers A...lliance has passed Domestic Worker Bills of Rights in 9 states and the city of Seattle, and brought over 2 million home care workers under minimum wage protections. In 2010,The Domestic Workers United was instrumental in the state of New York for passing the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights into law. This law was the first in the United States to guarantee domestic workers basic labor protections such as overtime pay, three days’ paid leave, and legal protections from harassment and discrimination. We urge everyone who can to vote this year and every election to honor those who fought for the right to vote and to acknowledge those who still struggle for it. Learn more about the #WChallenge: https://wchallenge.org/ #WChallenge #vote #women #representation #aapi #asianamerican #chineseamerican #vote2020

There's still time to sign-up for our November program, Chinese Workers & The Pacific Salmon Canning Industry! Guests will get to learn about the 150 year history of Chinese workers from speakers Jim and Philip Chiao. The brothers spent three summers working in a cannery in Alaska during the 1970s and now documenting their experiences, as well as researching this fascinating history in the story of Chinese Americans. Space is limited; early reservations are encouraged. To learn more about the program and get your ticket, visit: https://salmonindustry.eventbrite.com

The Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation is archiving the personal stories of immigrants to the Pacific Coast. Former program presenter Raymond Chong and his brother Michael recently added the story of their father, Gim Suey Chong, to the Foundation's site. Gim Suey came to the U.S. when in 1932 at the age of 9. Read more about Raymond's father and how you can share your own story with the Foundation: http://ow.ly/1FIU50C5zBy

We mourn the loss of Cecilia Chiang, the "mother of northern Chinese cooking in America." She was an icon in the restaurant world, known internationally for bringing authentic, high-quality Chinese cuisine to America during the 1960s. She passed away on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at the age of 100. Remember the life of Cecilia with CHSA's 2015 "Above & Beyond" Tribute.

Over the past few weeks, we have been sharing videos that have focused on the history, power, and impact of Asian American voters. The passage of the 1882 Exclusion Act limited the ability of Chinese to have access to U.S. citizenship and civil rights. One hundred thirty-eight years later, Asian Americans make up the fastest growing population in the U.S. electorate and have worked together to fight for recognition and inclusion. In the past year, we have seen an increase in ...xenophobia against Asian Americans and a refocus on racial justice. In this spirit, this week’s Community Connections is dedicated to why CHSA staff and interns are voting in the upcoming election. Caleb, Former CHSA Intern: "Our vote is where the beauty of our democracy is derived from." Palma, Gallery Coordinator: "Today, I am fortunate that as a U.S. citizen I can exercise my right to vote." Marisol, CHSA Intern: "I vote not only for myself and my ideals, but for my family and my community." Angelo, Visitor Services: "It feels absolutely empowering to actually say 'I voted!' Kimberly, CHSA Intern: "It is an opportunity to be the change I want to see in our society." Brienne, Registrar: "I can no longer stand by and not do something about it." Anna, Former CHSA Intern: "I consider voting an important way to exercise the rights that previous generations have fought for." Former CHSA Intern: "Voting is my way of making sure my voice and my ideas on these issues are heard!" Maggie, Education and Program Coordinator: "I cast my ballot this year with the hope that...a brighter future is around the corner." Shirley, CHSA Intern: "Voting is an important act because I’m not only voting for myself, I am voting for my family, my friends, and my community. Especially for those who cannot vote-I vote for them." Pam, Interim Executive Director: "My vote counts and I have the power to speak on issues of equality, rights, justice, and freedom." Read the full post: https://chsamuseum.tumblr.com/

#fromthecollection This image shows Boy Scouts in San Francisco's Chinatown getting people to go out and vote in the 1950s. Most Asian Americans were unable to become U.S. citizens and vote until the 1952 McCarran-Walter Act, which ended decades of Asian exclusion. Please vote next Tuesday! Make your voice heard and make your vote count!