Join our mailing list

Origins Exhibition Object Labels

United We Stand

  1. Panoramic photograph of the Third Annual Convention of the United Parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden State, October 1914.  Courtesy of the Lee Family Estate.
  2. Pennant for the Native Sons of the Golden State, circa 1915. Courtesy of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance.
  3. Laundry owners’ petition to the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, 1932. Chinese American Museum Collection.
  4. Initiation record for new members of the Native Sons of the Golden State, 1912–77. Courtesy of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance. 
  5. Painted paddle, circa 1890. Courtesy of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance.
  6. Fez, circa 1890. Courtesy of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance.
  7. Trophy awarded to the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association from the China 6 Company, 1912. Gift of the Immortal Gung-Fu Lion Dancers (Jeff Chan, director).
  8. Letter from the California State Legislature written to the Native Sons of the Golden State, March 18, 1925. Gift of the Holly Lee Family.
  9. Note in Chinese on the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association’s letterhead with the Garnier Building’s address, date unknown. Gift of David and Dora SooHoo.
  10. frame at right: Membership certificate issued to Dick Shue by the Los Angeles Parlor of the Native Sons of the Golden State, December 30, 1924. Courtesy of the Wey Wong Family.

Chinese in America: The Work Begins

  1. Cardboard shipping box from Louie Produce and distributed at City Market, one of the oldest produce markets in Los Angeles, date unknown. Courtesy of Anna Chew.
  2. Apple crate likely shipped to City Market from Washington State, date unknown. Gift of the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California.
  3. Bean sauce crate shipped from Hong Kong to Los Angeles, date unknown. Chinese American Museum Collection.
  4. Hand Truck used for transporting merchandise, circa 1920. Gift of Pingy Quon.
  5. Repurposed vendor crate, date unknown. Gift of Ella Quan/Chinese Historical Society of Southern California.
  6. Metal canteen. Similar ones were used by farmworkers, date unknown. Gift of Albert Wong. 

Tourism and the Evolution of American Cuisine

  1. case at left: Menu from Soochow Café, date unknown. Courtesy of Leslee See Leong. 
  2. Pants and shirt worn by a male laborer, date unknown. Gift of Fay Fong.
  3. Cook’s hat and apron from Soochow Café, circa 1930. Courtesy of Leslee See Leong. 
  4. Strainer used in a Historic Chinatown restaurant kitchen, date unknown. Courtesy of Leslee See Leong.
  5. Laundry sprayer, date unknown. Courtesy of Leslee See Leong. 
  6. Laundry price list from Sang Lee Fancy Hand Laundry, circa 1930. Gift of David and Dora SooHoo. 
  7. Meat cleaver used in a butcher shop, date unknown. Gift of Albert Wong. 
  8. Container from Kwong Yuen Bird’s Nest Company, date unknown. Courtesy of Leslee See Leong. 

Building a New Chinatown

  1. frame above: Poster invitation for the opening ceremonies of New Chinatown, June 25, 1938.
  2. Souvenir pennant featuring New Chinatown landmarks, circa 1970. Courtesy of Dylan and Phoenix Wong.
  3. California Governor Frank Merriam officiating at the grand opening of New Chinatown, June 25, 1938. Photograph by Harry Quillen. Courtesy of Dylan and Phoenix Wong. 
  4. Firework, date unknown. Courtesy of Leslee See Leong.
  5. Souvenir plate showing various New Chinatown landmarks, date unknown. Gift of Roger S. Hong Estate.

The Tenacity of Delbert Wong

  1. Document from Supreme Court Justice Frank Murphy to the Citizens Committee to Repeal Chinese Exclusion, date unknown. Chinese American Museum Collection.
  2. Photograph with a caption describing a Chinese family who cannot own a home due to the California Alien Land Laws, circa 1955. Courtesy of Dylan and Phoenix Wong. © 2012 United Press Telephoto.
  3. Critique by Charles Adams, author of Forbidden Neighbors: A Study of Prejudice in Housing, outlining how various racist ordinances prevented non-Caucasians from living in certain parts of a city or county, May 1947. Courtesy of George Tom.
  4. Bargain and sale deed from Nellie V. Hutchinson to Chan Kiu Sing for property at 330 Broadway in Los Angeles, October 22, 1897. Gift of Elizabeth Chan Kung. 

Second-Generation Leaders Emerge

  1. Painted wood ballot box used for voting in new Chinese American Citizens Alliance members, circa 1940. Courtesy of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance.
  2. Ribbon celebrating the arrival of Madame Chiang Kai-shek to Los Angeles, circa 1943. Gift of the Roger S. Hong Estate.
  3. Photograph of community leaders, including members of the Mei Wah Club, at the grand opening of the Chinese Consolidated  Benevolent Association’s new building in New Chinatown, May 1952. Courtesy of the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California.
  4. Gavel used by Y. C. Hong while he was president of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance, September 9–12, 1953. Gift of the Roger S. Hong Estate.
  5. Document listing the location of a meeting, speakers, and charter members from the American Women’s Voluntary Services, September 13, 1942 Chinese American Museum Collection.

The Mei Wah Club

  1. uniform at left: Uniform that belonged to Barbara Jean Wong Lee, an actress and drum majorette for the Mei Wah Drum Corps, circa 1945. Courtesy of the Maye SooHoo Wong and Barbara Jean Lee Families.
  2. object on riser: Trophy given by the Mei Wah Drum Corps to its sponsor Maye SooHoo Wong, circa 1945. Courtesy of the Maye SooHoo Wong and Barbara Jean Lee Families.
  3. object on riser: Copper and wooden trophy given by the Mei Wah Drum Corps to their director, David SooHoo, March 26, 1943. Courtesy of the Maye SooHoo Wong and Barbara Jean Lee Families.
  4. object on riser: Trophy for Most Outstanding Drum Corps awarded to the Mei Wah Drum Corps at the Sixteenth Annual Helldorado Days  in Las Vegas, 1950. Courtesy of the Maye SooHoo Wong and  Barbara Jean Lee Families.
  5. Bass drum used by the Mei Wah Drum Corps, circa 1945. Courtesy of the Maye SooHoo Wong and Barbara Jean Lee Families.
  6. Drum accessories used by Mei Wah Drum Corps majorette Barbara Jean Wong Lee, circa 1945. Courtesy of the Maye SooHoo Wong and Barbara Jean Lee Families.
  7. Suitcase used by Mei Wah Drum Corps majorette Barbara Jean Wong Lee, circa 1945. Courtesy of the Maye SooHoo Wong and Barbara Jean Lee Families.
  8. Metal baton used by Mei Wah Drum Corps majorette Barbara Jean Wong Lee, circa 1945. Courtesy of the Maye SooHoo Wong and Barbara Jean Lee Families.
  9. shelf at right: Joy Yuen Low restaurant menu autographed by members of the Mei Wah Drum Corps, circa 1945. Gift of David SooHoo. 

Celebrating Traditional Holidays

  1. Photograph of a group of dragon dancers with Betty SooHoo Wong, circa 1940. Photograph by Harry Quillen, courtesy of Betty Wong.
  2. Newspaper article promoting New Chinatown’s Moon Festival, with an image of a woman wearing an imperial goddess headdress and costume, circa 1940. Gift of the David and Dora SooHoo Family. 
  3. Firecrackers attached to a braided fiber, date unknown. Courtesy of Leslee See Leong. 
  4. Poster promoting Chinese New Year, circa 1963. Courtesy of Leslee See Leong.
  5. Program for a New Chinatown Moon Festival, circa 1945. Chinese American Museum Collection.
  6. Postcard featuring the Queen of the Moon Festival, circa 1940. Photograph by Harry Quillen, courtesy of Dylan and Phoenix Wong.

Tourism and the Evolution of American Cuisine

  1. Takeout box for roast duck produced by the United Poultry Company on Broadway in Los Angeles, circa 1950. Courtesy of Clara Tom.
  2. Matchbooks from New Chinatown restaurants, circa 1965. Limehouse matchbook gift of Connie Rothstein, all others gift of Mabel Hong.
  3. Postcard featuring the Grand Star restaurant, circa 1950. Courtesy of Dylan and Phoenix Wong.
  4. Announcement of the opening of a new Soochow Café in Chinatown, circa 1949. Gift of Leslee See Leong.
  5. Porcelain ashtray, date unknown. Courtesy of Dylan and Phoenix Wong.
  6. Postcard of the Shangri La restaurant, date unknown. Courtesy of Dylan and Phoenix Wong.

Tourism and the Evolution of American Cuisine

  1. wall above: Wood carving of Chinese characters that hung at the entrance to China City, circa 1938. Courtesy of Leslee See Leong.
  2. Menu for the Golden Pagoda restaurant, circa 1970. Gift of the Immortals Gung-Fu Lion Dancers (Jeff Chan, director).
  3. Menu for the Joy Yuen Low restaurant, circa 1940. Gift of the David and Dora SooHoo Family.
  4. Menu for the Rice Bowl Café, date unknown. Courtesy of Dylan and Phoenix Wong.
  5. Menu for the Grandview Gardens restaurant, date unknown. Courtesy of Dylan and Phoenix Wong.

China City: A Second Tourist Attraction

  1. Postcard featuring rickshaw used by tourists visiting China City, circa 1940. Photograph by Harry Quillen. Courtesy of Dylan and  Phoenix Wong. 
  2. Box of foldaway fans sold in China City, circa 1940. Courtesy of Leslee See Leong.
  3. Photograph (reproduction) of the Fong family in front of their gift shop in China City, circa 1943. Chinese American Museum Collection.
  4. Business card for the Wah Hing Gift Shop in China City, circa 1940. Courtesy of Dylan and Phoenix Wong.
  5. Painted metal butterfly sold in China City, circa 1940. Courtesy of Leslee See Leong.
  6. Postcard of China City’s plaza, circa 1940. Photograph by Wayne “Dick” Whittington. Gift of Eric J. Lynxwiler.
  7. Ancient Mandarin Game by the Wah Chuck Card Company, a westernized mah-jong-style card game likely sold in China City, circa 1940. Courtesy of Leslee See Leong.
  8. Postcard of a dragon statue and a shop called Good Earth in China City, circa 1940. Courtesy of Connie Rothstein.
  9. Multicolored dyed-paper cutouts sold in China City, circa 1940. Courtesy of Leslee See Leong.

The Importance of Gift Shops

  1. Ceramic ginseng container sold in China City, circa 1943. Gift of Jean and Bill Jong.
  2. Placemat from the Hong Kong Low Restaurant with instructions on how to use chopsticks and pronounce common Chinese words, date unknown. Gift of the Roger S. Hong Estate.
  3. Souvenir boxes of slides with images of China and Japan, circa 1964. Gift of Joe and Betty Wong.
  4. Photograph of Joe and Betty Wong in front of their gift shop, Kai Mei Co., December 1964. Courtesy of Joe and Betty Wong.
  5. Tin container from the Phoenix Bakery, circa 1965. Courtesy of Helen Wong.
  6. Postcard booklet of New Chinatown, circa 1967. Gift of Munson A. and Suellen Cheng Kwok.
  7. Wooden back scratcher, circa 1940. Courtesy of Leslee See Leong.
  8. Porcelain souvenir teacup and plate sold in New Chinatown, circa 1965. Chinese American Museum Collection.
  9. Souvenir photograph of the Women’s New Life Association at Soo Chow Restaurant in New Chinatown, October 8, 1959. Courtesy of Lily Lum Chan.
  10. Photograph of New Chinatown’s Central Plaza from Broadway, circa 1960. Courtesy of Ella Quan.

New Entrepreneurs

  1. top: Wong Transportation business card (reproduction), date unknown. Courtesy of Edward F. Wong and Family.
  2. center: Three generations of the Wong family, date unknown. Courtesy of Edward F. Wong and Family. 
  3. bottom right: Photograph of Tom A. Wong and Tim J. Wong in their father’s truck, date unknown. Courtesy of Ted F. Wong and Family. 
  4. bottom left: Photograph of truck used by Wong Transportation, date unknown. Courtesy of Edward F. Wong and Family.

Real Estate

  1. Advertisement for Mandarin Realty, date unknown. Gift of the Historical Society of Monterey Park.
  2. Piatelli public auction for homes in Monterey Park targeting Asian Americans, May 28, 1985. Courtesy of Leslee See Leong.
  3. Real estate license for Frederic Hsieh, September 27, 1976. Courtesy of Eric Hsieh.
  4. Information and consent form for Monterey Park Views project featuring ethnic-specific kitchenware, October 1977. Courtesy of Leslee See Leong. 

Monterey Park Transformed

  1. top left: A reproduction printed in Monterey Park Living of an old advertisement (date and original publication unknown) selling property with racial restrictions, March 1986. Courtesy of the Historical Society of Monterey Park, Inc. 
  2. top middle: Class photograph (reproduction) of kindergarten class of Brightwood Elementary School, 1982-1983. Courtesy of Ted F. Wong and Family. 
  3. top right: Class photograph (reproduction) of first grade class of Brightwood Elementary School, 1971-1972. Courtesy of Ted F. Wong and Family. 
  4. bottom left: Newspaper article (reproduction) detailing the change in Monterey Park’s ethnic and cultural landscape. Courtesy of José Calderon.
  5. bottom middle: Statistics (reproduction) showing the ethnic background of the student population in Monterey Park, 1984. Courtesy of José Calderon. 
  6. bottom right: Class photograph (reproduction) of eighth grade class of Brightwood Elementary School, 1990-1991. Courtesy of Ted F. Wong and Family. 
  7. below: 2008 and 1991 telephone directories gift of Munson A. and Suellen Cheng Kwok, 1970 directory from the Dorothy Siu Collection, 1965 directory gift of Wanda Lew Jung. 

Chinese American Activism

  1. top: Information pamphlet opposing Proposition 63, which would declare English to be California’s official language, circa 1987. Courtesy of José Calderon. 
  2. middle left: Petition from the Coalition for Harmony in Monterey Park (CHAMP) to rescind Resolution 9004, which limited the use of non-English signs in the city. Note Mike Eng’s and José Calderon’s signatures, circa 1986. Courtesy of José Calderon. 
  3. middle right: Los Angeles Times article outlining the conflicts over language and storefront signage between residents and council members in Monterey Park, September 15, 1988. Courtesy of José Calderon. 
  4. bottom left: Monterey Park Independent article detailing the conflicts between community members during the English-only movement in Monterey Park, November 20, 1985. Courtesy of José Calderon. 
  5. bottom right: Invitation from the Harmony Week Committee to Monterey Park residents to meet and discuss the city’s problems, October 27, 1990. Courtesy of José Calderon. 

Lily Lee Chen and Judy Chu

  1. Tag to support Lily Lee Chen’s campaign for city council, circa 1982. Courtesy of Lily Lee Chen.
  2. T-shirt for Lily Lee Chen’s campaign, circa 1982. Courtesy of Lily Lee Chen.
  3. Campaign sign advocating Lily Lee Chen for city council, circa 1982. Courtesy of Munson A. Kwok.
  4. Photograph of City Counsel Member Lily Lee Chen in front of a Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce Safety Fair poster on Garvey Avenue, circa 1982. Courtesy of Lily Lee Chen and the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library.
  5. Photograph of newly elected members of the Monterey Park City Council, including Lily Lee Chen, taking an oath in 1982. Courtesy of Aldo Panzieri and the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library.