Bulletin CHINESE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA | JANUARY FEBRUARY 2006 | VOL. 42, NO. 1

CHSA 2006 Spirit Award Jan/Feb HONORING LORRAINE DONG, PHD 2006 FOR EXTRAORDINARY DEDICATION CALENDAR OF CHSA EVENTS & EXHIBITS C HSA is very pleased to honor Lorraine Dong with our 2006 Spirit Award Jan 8 Family Appreciation Day. for her astonishing dedication to CHSA. CHSA & other city museums free for families who live in . More Beginning in 1990 as a newly-inducted info at www.sfgov.org. CHSA board member, Lorraine’s tireless Jan 17 Opening of Dragons, and energetic commitment to CHSA spanned Drums, Floats, and Firecrackers, an fourteen years until her retirement from the exhibition of the history of the San board in 2004. During these years, she served Francisco Parade. Philip P. Choy Gallery. as president for six terms, not to mention a number of other Jan 19 Book reading of John Jung’s board offices, as Bulletin editor, chair of numerous committees Southern Fried Rice: Life in a Chinese Laundry in and annual galas, and as CHSA’s volunteer interim executive the Deep South. CHSA Learning Center, 7 pm. director in 2003. She also served on the leadership group that Jan 21CHSA Annual General coordinated CHSA’s transition period, culminating in the move to Meeting & Volunteer Recognition the Julia Morgan-designed YWCA building. Luncheon. Empress of China Restaurant, 838 Grant Avenue, SF. 12 pm, $35 mem- Lorraine was born, raised, and educated in San Francisco ber, $50 non-member. Chinatown. She received her BA (summa cum laude) and MA from Jan 28-29 Chinese New Year San Francisco State University, and her PhD from the Dept. of events and programs with Rosemary Gong, Asian Languages and Literature from the University of

Oliver Chin, and Charlie Chin. CHSA CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Learning Center. See Bulletin article on page 4 for details. 1906 Earthquake Feb 4-5 Chinese New Year events and programs with Charlie Chin. CHSA Centennial Learning Center. LOOK FOR THESE UPCOMING COMMEMORATIONS Feb 18 Conversations between Generations: Collecting Stories for the Chinatown is Burning! Historian/performer Charlie Chin Angel Island Oral History Project, present- will bring 15-year-old Hugh Liang to life, sharing the quake ed by the Angel Island Immigration survivor's life experiences with audiences of all ages. Check Station Foundation. CHSA Learning performance schedules on www.chsa.org or arrange a group Center, 1:30 pm. performance (schools, churches, etc.) through Leonard Shek Exhibition reception for Talk Feb 23 at [email protected]. Story: An American Family, with artist Flo Oy Wong and curator Lenore Chinn. CHSA Museum. 5:30 pm. Earthquake: The Chinatown Feb 25 In Search of Roots Story will present the impact of Presentation by 2005 Interns. Chinese the quake on Chinatown and its Culture Center of San Francisco, 750 residents. Scheduled for the Kearny Street, 3rd Floor. Time TBA. More Philip P. Choy Gallery beginning info: (415) 986-1822, www.c-c-c.org. in April, look for updates in All CHSA events are free to future Bulletins. members, except as noted For more info, call (415) 391-1188 or visit Earthquake Centennial Dinner www.chsa.org. April 17, Palace Hotel, San Francisco. Conversations CHINESE Between Generations HISTORICAL COLLECTING STORIES FOR THE SOCIETY OF ANGEL ISLAND ORAL HISTORY PROJECT AMERICA SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1:30-3:00 PM, CHSA

BOARD OFFICERS Willard Chin, President Since fall 2004, college students Philip P. Choy, 1st Vice President have been conducting interviews to Donald Chan, 2nd Vice President collect the experiences, recollections, Russell Jeung, Ph.D., Secretary and impressions of immigrants who Frank Jang, Treasurer came through Angel Island Immigration Station during its years BOARD DIRECTORS of operation, from 1910 to 1940. Irene Poon Andersen Interviewees and their interviewers Joyce Chan will be reunited for a conversation Colleen Fong, Ph.D. about the process of recording first- Paul Fong hand experiences of immigrating to the through Angel Island. Speakers will share their process of recording oral histories, lessons learned, and how these personal nar- Agnes Lam ratives will be used for future generations. This program is co-sponsored Catherine S. Lam by CHSA, Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, and the Pacific Alexander Lock Regional Humanities Center based out of UC Davis. For more informa- Kenneth Louie tion, contact AIISF at (415) 561-2160 or [email protected]. j Galin Luk Anna Naruta Honoring Lorraine Dong William G. Roop CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 in . Lorraine was also a former Rockefeller and FOUNDERS Fulbright fellow. She wrote Sewing Woman, an Oscar-nominated documen- Thomas W. Chinn tary about a Chinese immigrant woman in America, and co-wrote two C.H. Kwock other award-winning Chinese American films, Lotus and Forbidden City, Chingwah Lee USA. In addition to publishing essays and articles, she co-authored the H.K. Wong book, The Coming Man, 19th Century American Perceptions of the Chinese, with Thomas W.S. Wu, D.D.S. Philip P. Choy and Marlon K. Hom. Lorraine is currently pro- CHSA ANNUAL MEETING & STAFF fessor and acting chair of Asian VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION Sue Lee, Executive Director American Studies at SFSU. LUNCHEON Ruth Chan, Collections Manager The CHSA Spirit Award is Saturday, January 21, 2006 Charlie Chin, Artist in Residence one of our highest honors, Empress of China Restaurant established to acknowledge our Marisa Louie, Exhibitions Coordinator 838 Grant Avenue, San Francisco volunteers and the unsung Reception 11:00 am, Luncheon 12:00 PM Russell Ow, Accountant heroes who have given extraor- $35 CHSA member, $50 nonmember Leonard Shek, Program Coordinator dinary time and energy to our Candace Tom, Operations organization. Please join us at Honoring Lorraine Dong, PhD Administrator our annual meeting to honor Featuring “Chinatown is Burning!” Ivy Wong, Weekend Supervisor Lorraine’s amazing dedication to a preview performance by Charlie Chin CHSA and to the Chinese Jeffery P. Woo, Esq., Legal Counsel For information, 415 391-1188 or www.chsa.org American community. j

CHSA BULLETIN n PAGE 2 Dragons, Drums, Floats, and Firecrackers

Chinese CHSA EXHIBIT, JANUARY 17 – MARCH 19 New Year Dragon, the world, San Francisco’s Chinese Commerce, and other contributors, circa 1948, New Year Parade is also one of the the exhibit traces the historic and courtesy of Benjamen oldest in the nation—a uniquely cultural roots of the parade and Chinn Chinese American celebration with provides a behind the scenes look roots in old Chinese traditions. at this incredible event. The items P artnering again with the Designed to attract tourism and and artifacts document the colorful Chinese Chamber of Commerce business to Chinatown, the parade history of a community celebration and the San Francisco Chronicle, CHSA and the larger Chinese New Year that represents the strong bond presents the exhibit, Dragons, festival draw participants from between San Francisco and its Drums, Floats, and Firecrackers! around the country. Chinese American identity and to honor the tradition and pagaen- Using photographs, memorabil- population. try of the Chinese New Year Parade ia, and artifacts from CHSA's col- Visit www.chsa.org for more in San Francisco. lections, the San Francisco Chronicle information on “Dragons, Drums, One of the largest parades in archives, the Chinese Chamber of Floats, and Firecrackers.” j

Talk Story: John Jung: An American Family Southern JANUARY 10 - APRIL 9, CHSA MUSEUM Fried Rice JANUARY 19, 7 PM, visual artist Flo CHSA LEARNING CENTER Oy Wong will open 2006 with her new installa- tion, Talk Story: An American Family, at What was it like to be a CHSA. Featuring monoprints, artist books, Chinese American child growing up drawings, and her signature rice sacks, “Talk in the deep South in the 1940s? Story” acknowledges the influence of Gee Seow Retired psychology professor John Hong, Wong’s father, on her artistic calling. Jung recounts his youth in Macon, Previously exhibited at many renowned Georgia and the history of Chinese institutions and galleries—such as the Angel American communities in the South in Southern Fried Rice: Life Island Immigration Station, the Ellis Island Gee Seow Hong Immigration Station Museum, and the in a Chinese Laundry in the Deep Smithsonian, and local venues such as the M.H. de Young Memorial South (2005). His parents, both Museum, Chinese Culture Center, and Oakland Museum—Wong’s art is immigrants, operated a again directly situated in San Francisco Chinatown after her December Chinese laundry in Macon for over 2005 opening at the Flomenhaft Gallery in New York. The pieces featured 20 years. Isolated from other in “Talk Story” evoke memories of family life in Oakland Chinatown, , the Jung family beginning with an incident that nearly took her father’s life in Flo’s infan- lived between white-black racial cy, and moving into her visual expressions of her older siblings’ stories. tension. Jung’s story, crafted from The exhibition text is bilingual, engaging both English and Chinese- personal memories and archival speaking communities with themes of family, narrative art, and sharing research, reflects upon the toll of family stories. A brochure, produced by “Talk Story” curator Lenore the immigration journey and living Chinn, includes educational activities for families and classes visiting the in the South on his strong and show and is available for free from CHSA. resilient parents. The public reception for “Talk Story” will be held Thursday, February Following the book reading, 23, at 5:30 pm. Wong’s sisters and brother will also join her for a free Jung will meet guests and sign books. Free to the public. family panel presentation on Thursday, March 30 at 7 pm. j j

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2006 n PAGE 3 CHSA Programs Presents Family Fun Days for Lunar New Year

Bring your family to CHSA and celebrate Lunar New Year with us! Learn more about Chinese American history at the CHSA Museum and Learning Center and participate in fun activities for all ages. JANUARY 28

2:00-3:00 PM: SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT! Rosemary Gong returns to CHSA to talk about her highly acclaimed book, Good Luck Life: The Essential Guide to Chinese American Celebrations and Culture. With warmth and wit, Rosemary will share with you the rich traditions Chinese Americans pass on generation to generation.

3:00-4:00 PM: CHINESE AMERICAN FOLKTALES WITH CHARLIE CHIN Enrich your children’s imagination with master storyteller Charlie Chin as he skillfully weaves a rich brocade of folktales that have traveled over the oceans and through centuries from China.

JANUARY 29: LUNAR NEW YEAR DAY!

2:00-3:00 PM: THE YEAR OF THE DOG: TALES FROM THE CHINESE ZODIAC Children’s book writer Oliver Chin reads from The Year of the Dog: Tales from the Chinese Zodiac, his latest book celebrating the year of the dog. This book, the first in a series of twelve, highlights the bravery of a young pup while featuring all 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac.

3:00-4:00 PM: CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES Join us for some traditional children’s entertainment of Chinese folktales, puppet shows, making paper lanterns, Chinese paper folding, and other activities where children learn auspi- cious symbols for the celebration of Chinese New Year.

FEBRUARY 4

2:00-3:00 PM: CHINESE AMERICAN FOLKTALES WITH CHARLIE CHIN Enrich your children’s imagination with master storyteller Charlie Chin as he skillfully weaves a rich brocade of folktales that have traveled over the oceans and through centuries from China.

FEBRUARY 5

2:00-3:00 PM: CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES Join us for some traditional children’s entertainment of Chinese Folktales, puppet shows, making paper lanterns, Chinese paper folding, and other activities where children learn auspi- cious symbols for the celebration of Chinese New Year.

CHSA BULLETIN n PAGE 4 2005 CHSA Donors ( PARTIAL LIST)

MONETARY Dorothy Chinn Eng Steven Lee June & Jack Quan Jane & Peter Wong GIFTS Wilmer Fong Jenica A. Lee Dick Quock May Wong Stan & Irene Poon Valerie & Galen Fong Zuinci Lee Jane Quon Nellie Wong Andersen Carl Stempel & Colleen University of Minnesota Rose T.Y. Chen William Wong Asian American Fong Edwin & Margaret Lee Charitable Karen & Stephen Wong Recovery Services May J. Fong Emily Lee Foundation Flo Oy & Edward Wong Nersi Boussina George & Claire Fung Donald & Linda Lee Irene Y. Saiki Sau-Ling Wong Dr. & Mrs. Edwin Susan Fung Milly Lee Heather Sanders Lil. S Wong Brennan Calvin B. Fung Dorothy Leong John M. Sanger Maybo Wong Burr, Pilger & Mayer Jackson & Alana Fung Chao Suet Foundation San Franisco Design Harry Woo State Robert A. Fung Karen Lew & David Center Wallace & Kim Woo University Eva Cheng Gardner Furmston San Francisco Dental Puanani Woo Foundation Society Pat Garner James Yuanxin Li Mae C. Woo San Francisco Public San Francisco State Helen Gee Sue Lim Helen Wu Library University Mary Gee Godfrey & Linda Lim Agnes I. Chan Foundation Mr. & Ms. Kenichi K. Buck Gee Jeanine Lim & Gregory Yabusaki Joyce Chan San Francisco Quilters Emma K. Gee Chan Sam & Hilda Yee Elsie Chan Guild Forrest M. Gok Alexander Lock Daniel K. Yee Don Chan Leslie Schilling Mr. & Mrs. Albert W. Mae Locke Fred Yick Ruth Chan Seligman Family Gong Florence Louie Foundation Donna Yick The Gordon & Anita Rosemary Gong Sinclair & May Louie Chan Foundation Gary & Laura Smoot & Shirley & Arthur Yick Vera Lee Goo Kenneth Louie Edythe Chan Family Arthur & Blossom Yim Shorenstein Realty Bernice Pun Louie Theodore Chang David Allen Trust JoAnn M. Yuen Services LP Diana D. Louie Ernest Chann Ms. Gloria S. So & Mr. Nancy Yuke Allen & Katherine Ng Alan Louie Mr & Mrs. Edward Chen Nathan K. Hong Judy Yung Hicks Hazel Y. Louie Homer H. Cheng Solem & Associates Grace Hing Paul & Emma Woo COLLECTIONS Richard A. Cheu Annie Soo Roger S. Hinze Louie Deborah Stein DONORS Mr. & Ms. Albert Chew Dr. David Hoh Stephen Louie Rodney Chew Sterling Bank & Trust Alice Tom Hollywood Too Steve & Jeanie Low Blossom Strong Bennett Liang Bruce Chin Suzanne E. Hom Dr. & Mrs. Rolland C. Willard M. Chin Vincent Tai Birthe Selbach (c/o Ben Amy C. Hong Lowe Chinn) Bing Chin Eric Tao Mr. & Ms. Walter W. Eva C. Lowe C.D. & Doreen Tung Thomas & Dorothy Chin Eleanor Wong & Hoo Cresleigh Management, Maurice Telemaque Calvin Taam Henry Chin Family Baldwin Hoo, Jr. Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Simon Teng Cecelia Chan (c/o John Chinese Community William Hu Galin Luk Chan) Health Plan Nathan S. & Su Lee Tom Raymond Huang Matthew Mah Chester Chan Chinese Community Stanley F. Tom & Amy Jason Hui Robert McCarthy L. Yee Darren Lee Brown Health Care Pacific Gas & Electric Laurene Wu McClain Association Tom Do Hing Foundation Dr. Franklin Yee Company Jim & Janice McCraney Fannie Chinn Mary Tom Ed Lee Alvin & Judy Ja Jackson Pacific Ventures Walter W. Chinn Vicky Tsai Elli Tappan Frank Jang New York Life Benjamen Chinn Poon Foundation Emma Louie Beverly Jayne Benton & Betty Ng David Twoy Frank Wong Brian W. & Florence L. Virginia Jeong Chinn Herman Ng United Commercial Bank Harry Gin (c/o Paul Tom & Rosalind Jeong Edmund & Daisy K. Mr. & Mrs. Chris Betty Wang Louie) Chong Ms. & Mr. Violet Jew Nielsen Nancy Wang Helen Lowe Lily Hung Chow Elaine Joe & Julian Low James Nunemacher Dr James L. Way James Walsid Ida M. Chow Dr. & Mrs. Edmund Jung Hoy Sun Ning Yung Dr. E. Leong Way Jeff Chan Benevolent Jinny Kim Lai G. Webster Jeffrey Moy Philip P. & Sarah W. Association Choy Rev. Gregory C. Kimm Dolores-Ann Leong Joe Petsche George M. Okada Rev. Harry Chuck Gayle & Dave Kong Williams Katherine M. Hicks Eugene Olivo Dr. Arthur W. Chung Loong Kong Youth Stanton D. Wong Lena Fong Jeanie Pai Lucy M. Cohen Group Rosaline Wong Marisa Louie Carol Potter Peckham CST Associates, LLC George Lai Germaine Wong May & Sinclair Louie John Philips Sue Low Dai Him Mark & Laura Lai Lucille J. Wong Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Ho Mack Pong Leland Dea Calvin & Mary Ng Lang Laura L. Wong Paul Louie Clifford Poon Hing & Lillian Dear Bert & Helen May Lee Anna Y. & Doris Y. Wong Ray Poon Portsmouth Plaza Kent Lee Li Keng Wong Ms. Lorraine Dong & Parking Corporation Sue Doherty Mr. Marlon Hom Josephine Lee Chaney & Beatrice Wong George Lim Poy Wan-Lee Cheng East West Bank Sue Lee Elizabeth C. & Han S. David Prowler Wiley Wong Charles Elliot Willard & Ida Lee Wong

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2006 n PAGE 5 In Memoriam Renew Your CHSA DOROTHY CHINN WONG, LAWRENCE JUE, JOE YUEY Membership! C HSA is saddened by the recent passing of Dorothy Chinn Wong, Lawrence Jue, and Joe Yuey, all endearing CHSA friends and community D on’t forget to renew leaders. your membership to the Dorothy Chinn Wong was a long-time supporter of CHSA beginning in Chinese Historical Society of the early days of the organization’s founding. She remained a charter mem- America! Membership benefits ber, serving on the board for a term, and providing stalwart support during include free admission to the our capital campaign period to acquire and renovate the YWCA building. CHSA Museum, a 10% discount Dorothy was also a member in long-standing of the Square and Circle Club. in our museum bookstore, invi- CHSA recognized Lawrence Jue at our 38th anniversary luncheon in tations to special events, a sub- 2001 for Distinguished Community Service. A mechanical engineer and scription to our Bulletin naval architect, he was an impassioned champion for the community, lead- newsletter, and a copy of the ing the fight to preserve Chinatown schools and serving on the committee annual Chinese America: History to save the Angel Island Immigration Station barracks. He was also and Perspectives. Member con- founder of the Geen Mun Neighborhood Center. tributions and donations are Joe Yuey was one of the major movers and shakers of Chinatown. His essential to our organization. legacy includes the creation of the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, the Please use the enclosed enve- Chinese Culture Center, his participation on the board of the Chinese lope to send in your dues for American Democratic Club, and his strong backing of Chinese for 2006. Thank you for your sup- Affirmative Action. He was the owner of Imperial Palace and later estab- port of CHSA! j lished the partnership to open Tommy Toy’s restaurant. j

The CHSA Bulletin is published bi-monthly. To contribute articles about Chinese American community and historical news and events, please submit articles to [email protected]. Editor: Marisa Louie || Design: Elaine Joe

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