Bulletin CHINESE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA | MAY JUNE 2006 | VOL. 42, NO. 3

THANK YOU!! May/ June By Sue Lee, CHSA Executive Director 2006 ur 1906 Earthquake project active partner in relating stories CALENDAR OF CHSA is a rousing success! With about the quake. Working with our EVENTS & EXHIBITS O the help and support of many indi- quake project research, Sing Tao May 2 Featured APA viduals, families, organizations, and Daily published a quake centennial Month Author: Li Keng Wong funders, CHSA was able to take full booklet that was inserted in their reads from Good Fortune: My part in an opportunity that only April 15th Bay Area edition. Journey to Gold Mountain. CHSA comes around every 100 years. CHSA’s outreach through the Learning Center, 2 pm. Thank you for helping us share the Centennial has helped us build

May 7 is stories of Chinese American quake relationships with other historic Burning! Performance by Charlie survivors, and the long-neglected Chinatown institutions and histori- . Oakland Museum of story of what happened to San cal societies, such as First Chinese , 1000 Oak Street, Francisco Chinatown. Baptist Church, Gum Moon Oakland, 2 pm, free with museum Local, national, and interna- Women’s Residence, the California admission. tional media have visited CHSA to Historical Society, and the Society cover our exhibition Earthquake: of California Pioneers. May 12 Featured APA The Chinatown Story for their After learning about our Quake Month Author: Belle Yang reads from Hannah Is My Name. CHSA audiences: print media such as the Project, history authors Douglas Learning Center, 2 pm. Wall Street Journal, , Westfall and Henry C. Koerper con- New York Times, local TV broadcasts nected CHSA with a woman from May 15 Reception for James on KPIX, NBC11, ABC, and KTSF, Southern California who had a spe- Leong: Confronting My Roots. CHSA and NPR radio commentaries on cial donation. During our April 10th Museum, 6 pm. Talk of the Nation and local affili- exhibition reception, Mrs. Pat ate KQED. Sing Tao Daily, one of the Williams “returned” a sugar and May 18 Extending: nation’s largest creamer set that had been looted Sharing Art & Culture in panel discussion. Participants from newspapers, has been an especially from Chinatown and then given to the October 2005 China CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 Art/Culture Exchange will talk about their experiences. CHSA SEE OUR PHOTO SPREAD OF CHSA’S MARCH/APRIL EVENTS Learning Center, 7 pm. PAGES 6 & 7

May 20 Featured APA MonthAuthor: Paul Yee reads from The Bone Collector’s Son. CHSA Learning Center, 2 pm.

All CHSA events in Opening May free to the public reception for Earthquake: The Chinatown For more info, call (415) 391-1188 Story on April or visit www.chsa.org 10th. In Memoriam: CHINESE HISTORICAL Jade Snow Wong SOCIETY OF AMERICA he Chinese Historical T Society of America BOARD OFFICERS mourns the recent passing of Calvin Fung, President Jade Snow Wong, author, Robert Fung, 1st Vice President ceramicist, and native San Anna Naruta, Ph.D., 2nd Vice President Franciscan. Born in 1922, Willard Chin, Secretary Wong grew up in Chinatown Paul Fong, Treasurer and attended City College and Mills BOARD DIRECTORS College. A class in pottery Irene Poon Andersen introduced her to the liveli- Donald Chan hood and the craft that she Joyce M. Chan would work in for the rest of Linda A. Cheu her life. Wong’s pottery and enamelware gradually gained Colleen Fong, Ph.D. nationwide acclaim, and she moved from Chinatown to a Frank Jang studio and travel agency on Polk Street on Russian Hill. In Agnes Lam 1945, Wong penned her autobiography Fifth Chinese Daughter, Catherine S. Lam still widely read as classic Asian American literature. Alexander Lock Women around the world identified with Wong’s struggle to Kenneth Louie forge an identity outside of her family and cultural expecta- Galin Luk tions; the book became a PBS special in 1976. In 2002, William G. Roop Wong exhibited at the Chinese Historical Society of Connie Young Yu America in Jade Snow Wong: A Retrospective. e Source: , Mills College BOARD EMERITI Him Mark Lai Chinese Philip P. Choy America: FOUNDERS History & Thomas W. Chinn Perspectives C.H. Kwock ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Chingwah Lee ave you had a chance H.K. Wong H to read the insightful Thomas W.S. Wu, D.D.S. articles in this year’s Chinese

STAFF America: History and Perspectives? Sue Lee, Executive Director The 2006 edition of the “H&P” is made possible through the Ruth Chan, Collections Manager expertise and hours of critical Charlie Chin, Artist in Residence review by the volunteer editori- Marisa Louie, Exhibitions Coordinator al committee. CHSA thanks Russell Ow, Accountant Colleen Fong, Marlon K. Hom, Leonard Shek, Program Coordinator Madeline Y. Hsu, Him Mark Lai, Candace Tom, Operations Administrator Laurene Wu McClain, Ruthanne Ivy Wong, Weekend Supervisor Lum McCunn, Russell Jeung, Jeffery P. Woo, Esq., Legal Counsel and Lorraine Dong. e

CHSA BULLETIN n PAGE 2 2006 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month AUTHOR APPEARANCES AT CHSA

Li Keng Wong Belle Yang Paul Yee GOOD FORTUNE: HANNAH IS MY NAME THE BONE COLLECTOR’S SON MY JOURNEY TO GOLD SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2 PM SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2 PM MOUNTAIN SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2 PM AGES 4 TO 8 AGES 12 AND UP

AGES 9 AND OLDER Based on the author’s journey In The Bone Collector’s Son, 14- In Good Fortune: My Journey to to the as a child, year-old Bing-wing Chau is forced Gold Mountain, a book for young Hannah Is My Name’s Na-Li comes to help his reckless father, the com- readers, Li Keng Wong shares the to America from in 1967. munity’s bone collector, dig up account of her journey to the While adjusting to her new skeletons to send back to China for United States from China through “American” name, “Hannah,” the burial. Set at the moment of the Angel Island Immigration Station, young immigrant waits with her anti-Chinese riot in , and her family’s settlement in parents for the green cards that will , in 1907, Oakland Chinatown. allow them to remain in their new Bing learns to settle troubled Li Keng Wong was the first per- country. ghosts and heal his father. son in her family to attend college. An author and painter, Belle Third-generation Chinese An elementary school teacher in Yang has developed a remarkable Canadian Paul Yee is the author of the for style that draws on her rich cultural several books on the experiences of more than thirty-five years, she fre- background, influenced not only by the Chinese in Canada. A historian quently speaks to groups about her childhood memories of Taiwan and by training, he has produced award- family’s immigration experience. Japan and her experience of immi- winning works of non-fiction Ms. Wong is currently involved in grating to the United States at age (including Saltwater City, winner of the Angel Island Immigration seven, but also by her studies in the Vancouver Book Prize) as well Station Foundation and was fea- Scotland and China. Yang has writ- as fiction for children, such as the tured in the Disney documentary ten and illustrated four books and collection of ghost stories, Tales “American Tapestry.” This is her has participated in solo museum From Gold Mountain. Yee’s books shows. She lives in California. explore such themes as discrimina- first book for young readers. e e tion, identity, assimilation, and other realities of living between CHSA Annual Gala two cultures. Born in Saskatchewan SAVE THE DATE! but raised in Vancouver, he lives and writes in Toronto now with his Saturday, Sept. 30, 2006 a San Francisco Marriott Hotel a 4th & Mission Wheaten Terrier, Baxter. e

MAY/JUNE 2006 n PAGE 3 Exhibitions at the Chinese Historical Society of America

EARTHQUAKE: THE CHINATOWN STORY HSA is excited to report that Earthquake: The C Earthquake: The Chinatown Story in the Philip P. Choy Gallery. Chinatown Story, the first exhibit to tell the story of San Francisco’s 1906 Earthquake and Fire from the JAMES LEONG: CONFRONTING MY ROOTS Chinese American perspective, has received widespread press and urated by Irene Poon scores of visitors since opening C Andersen, James Leong: April 3. Timed with the centennial Confronting My Roots shows the of the quake, Earthquake: The latest work of painter and San Chinatown Story features the sto- Francisco native James Leong. ries of earthquake survivors in pho- Leong, who painted the mural One tos, artifacts, and multimedia fea- Hundred Years’ History of the tures. The exhibit also tells the Chinese in America, permanently story of the attempt to relocate installed in CHSA’s Learning Center, Chinatown, and of the Chinese worked in Europe from the 1950s- community’s fight to remain. When 1980s. After the Tiananmen Square James Leong’s Tiananmen, 1989 you come to see Earthquake: The student uprising in 1989, Leong returned to the United States and began Chinatown Story, don’t forget to to reconnect with his Chinese American identity. A catalog, featuring an pick up a free special commemora- autobiographical essay by James Leong, is available in the CHSA book- tive centennial button pin, spon- store. Open through August 20 in the Frank H. Yick Gallery. sored by Connie Young Yu. Open For more information about CHSA exhibitions, please contact through September 18 in the Philip Exhibitions Coordinator Marisa Louie at (415) 391-1188 ext. 104, P. Choy Gallery. e [email protected]. e

Share Your Earthquake Stories re you the descendant of an earthquake survivor, or do you have A an earthquake-related story to share? CHSA welcomes your sto- ries as we continue to compile and collect these pieces for our “Since the Quake” project. Please contact Marisa Louie at [email protected], (415) 391-1188 ext. 104. e

CHSA BULLETIN n PAGE 4 Extending: Sharing Art & COMING THIS SUMMER... Culture in China “The Craft of THURSDAY, MAY 18, 7 PM Storytelling” CHSA WELLS FARGO FOUNDATION LEARNING CENTER Workshop n October of with Master I2005, Flo Oy Storyteller Wong, a Charlie Chin Sunnyvale-based MONDAYS FROM installation mixed JUNE 5-26, 7-9 PM media artist, led CHSA MUSEUM an arts and cul- & LEARNING CENTER tural exchange to the People’s Republic of China. The dele- gation, composed of artists, writers, Delegation at 798 Factory business people, and an urban gallery in , China. planner, presented at universities, Photo by Lenore Chinn. colleges, and art academies in Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai. 798 Gallery District in Beijing, the Flo will be joined by Lenore ShanghART Gallery, District in Chinn, a San Francisco-based Shanghai, and the Beijing Biennale. artist, curator, and consultant, and Allison will talk about her role as a Allison Chop, manager of an envi- manager of Whole Foods and share ronmentally sound grocery, to dis- the information she presented to cuss the state of contemporary art the audiences in China. in China and to share their art and This event is co-presented with cultural presentations. Flo and the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Lenore will show images of delega- Center’s United States of Asian earn storytelling skills and tion artists and images from the American Festival. e L craft in this class offered by “Chinatown Is Burning!” performer Charlie Chin. After completing this Chinatown is Burning! program, which consists of four two-hour sessions, participants in FINAL PERFORMANCE! the program can interview to be ven if the centennial has already passed, interest in storytellers or re-enactors for CHSA E hearing the Chinese American perspective on life in programs. This workshop series is 1906 has not waned. Chinatown is Burning! is scheduled co-presented with Kearny Street through May at various public and private schools in San Workshop (www.kearnystreet.org). Francisco. This History Alive! Chautauqua presentation Workshop fees are $40 per per- developed by CHSA Artist-in-Residence Charlie Chin has son for CHSA or KSW members; amused and educated audiences from kindergarten to $60 for the general public. For more adults. Catch the last performance of Chinatown is Burning! information, please contact in the “Shocking Stories” program at the Oakland Museum Program Coordinator Leonard Shek of California on Sunday, May 7, 2006 from 2-4 pm. e at (415) 391-1188 ext. 107 or [email protected]. e

MAY/JUNE 2006 n PAGE 5 MARCH/APRIL 2006

AT THE CHINESE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA

PHOTOS BY FRANK JANG, CHINATOWN BEACON CENTER YOUTH

Flo Oy Wong’s “Talk Story” Family Panel: The Wong siblings talk about their experiences growing up in Oakland Chinatown.

The audience listens to scholar Erica Pan speak about the rebuilding of Chinatown after the 1906 quake at her lecture, “The Reestablishment of Chinatown After the 1906 Earthquake.”

(above) Chinatown Aftershock Treasure Hunters look for answers in a map of Chinatown alleyways.

(below) CHSA Program Coordinator Leonard Shek instructs an Aftershock Treasure Hunt group before they leave Gordon J. Lau Elementary School.

Charlie Chin performs in Chinatown is Burning! at the Chinese Culture Center

CHSA BULLETIN n PAGE 6 EARTHQUAKE: THE CHINATOWN STORY OPENING RECEPTION

SAN FRANCISCO RISING GALA

PHOTOS BY FRANK JANG CALVIN FUNG, MARISA LOUIE

(above) Descendants of earthquake survivor Lo Tuck pose for a family photo at the reception for CHSA’s Earthquake: The Chinatown Story exhibition. Author Douglas Westfall ‘returns’ a looted sugar bowl and creamer to Chinatown during CHSA’s Earthquake: The Chinatown Story exhibition reception. (above) Wilmer Fong, son of earthquake survivor Emily Lee (below) Phil Choy and Wayne Hu Fong, points to during the San Francisco Rising himself in a family Gala pre-dinner reception. photograph from the 1930s. Wilmer shared his mother’s story with Earthquake: The Chinatown Story researchers.

(left) CHSA guests at the Gala with Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company CEO Charles Kavitsky (4th from right).

CHSA guests at the San Francisco Rising Gala.

MAY/JUNE 2006 n PAGE 7 CHSA IS GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE FOLLOWING Thank You!

SAN FRANCISCO RISING! SPONSORS: CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

her family. These items are now on SAN FRANCISCO RISING TITLE SPONSORS display at CHSA. The earthquake marked a new beginning for San Francisco Chinatown and , and its Centennial is a turning point for CHSA. With our Quake SHAKE SPONSORS ($25,000) Project as a springboard, we will renew efforts to share the stories of Chinese America, and explore the complexity of the community that RATTLE SPONSORS ($10,000) emerged after the quake. CHSA Judy Flood Wilbur & Brayton Wilbur invites you to continue helping us May & Sinclair Louie & Betty Louie give voice to our history! Many thanks to our “Since the Quake” project sponsors: AT&T,

ROLL SPONSORS ($5,000) PG&E, Sterling Bank and Trust, Cheryl A. Fama, President/CEO Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Candelaria Fund, San Francisco AGI Capital Group, Inc. Ray & Dagmar Dolby Family Fund Foundation, California Story Fund, Quakefinder, LLC Maura & Robert Morey Zellerbach Family Foundation, Jerome & Thao Dodson Grants for the Arts, Ambassador James C. Hormel. e

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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