2015 Events

Author McCunn Explores APIs in Civil War

Saturday, September 12, 2015 | 10:00 am
Alhambra Civic Center Library

Award-winning author Ruthanne Lum McCunn uncovers a little known facet of Chinese American history when she presents Hidden History: Asians and Pacific Islanders in the American Civil War, on Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Alhambra Civic Center Library.

In recent years, researchers have learned that approximately 300 Asians and Pacific Islanders served in the Civil War.  McCunn’s latest book, Chinese Yankee, tells the true story of Thomas Sylvanus (Ah Yee Way), a Hong Kong orphan who was sent to America in the mid-1850s for schooling but was enslaved in Baltimore. He ultimately fled to the north and fought in the Freedom Army.

Open to the public free of charge, the Sept. 12th program is presented by the Chinese Family History Group of Southern California in partnership with the Chinese American Citizens Alliance, Chinese American Museum, and Chinese Historical Society of Southern California.

The library is located at 101 S. 1st St., Alhambra.  Parking will be available in the Alhambra Civic Center lot.  For directions, call (626) 570-5008 or go to www.alhambralibrary.org/hours.html.

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a1420-24aThe Changing LAndscape of the United States

Thursday, May 28, 2015 | 7:00pm
Chinese American Museum

Panel Discussion
Please email RSVP@camla.org to reserve a seat

50 Years since the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act

The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act’s authors may not have fully realized the role that the Act would play in changing the face of the United States, and significantly increasing the number of Asian and Latino immigrants. This panel discussion will commemorate 50 years of this monumental point in American history and discuss its impact in Los Angeles.

This FREE event will be moderated by Linda Vo, Associate Professor of the Department of Asian American Studies, School of Humanities, of UC Irvine.

Panelists will include:

– Jose Calderon, Emeritus Professor of Sociology and Chicano/a and Latino/a Studies, Pitzer College
– The Honorable Mike Eng, Board of Trustees, Los Angeles Community College District
– Stewart Kwoh, President & Executive Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles

COMMUNITY PARTNERS
El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument
Department of Cultural Affairs
OCA-GLA
UCLA Labor Center
Chinese Historical Society of Southern California
Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County
LA Plaza de Cultura Y Artes

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Signing of the Immigration Act of 1965

President Lyndon B. Johnson gives Edward (Ted) Kennedy a pen, while others, including Robert Kennedy and Vice President Hubert Humphrey look on

LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto

 

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Finding Samuel Lowe: From Harlem to China
Screening and Author Talk with Paula Madison

Wednesday, May 20, 2015 | 6:30pm
Chinese American Museum

We love the overwhelming support of film screening of ‘Finding Samuel Lowe’ with Paula Madison on May 20th. Unfortunately, we have reached maximum capacity and cannot accept anymore RSVPs. Any guests that have sent their reservations to RSVP@camla.org should have received a confirmation from us.

If anyone who RSVP’d, but can no longer attend, please contact the front desk at 213.485.8567.

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Three successful black siblings from Harlem, Paula Williams Madison and her brothers, Elrick and Howard Williams, were raised in Harlem by their Chinese Jamaican mother, Nell Vera Lowe. The three travel to the Toronto Hakka Chinese Conference to discover their heritage by searching for clues about their long-lost Chinese grandfather, Samuel Lowe. As the mystery of their grandfather’s life unfolds, the trio travels to Jamaica, to learn about grandfather’s life.

Taking family tree research to an epic proportion, the siblings and 16 of their family members travel to two Chinese cities, ShenZhen and GuangZhou. Together, they visit their family’s ancestral village, finding documented lineage that dates their family back 3,000 years to 1006 BC. The trip culminates in an emotional and unforgettable family reunion with 300 of their grandfather’s Chinese descendants.

Facebook: FindingSamuelLowe
Twitter and Instagram: @findingsamlowe

COMMUNITY PARTNERS
El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument
Chinese Family History Group of Southern California
Chinese Historical Society of Southern California
GE
Asian and Asian American Studies @ Cal State LA
Visual Communications
Asian American Studies Center @ UCLA


 

Flickr user ericrichardson2

Exploring the History of Chinese Pioneers: A Hike to Elysian Park

Saturday, May 2, 2015 | Starts at 8am
Chinese American Museum
Difficulty: easy, two star **, 7 miles; suitable for the whole family
Elevation gain/loss:   +600/-600 ft.

Join us for a half-day, 7-mile easy, half-street, half-trail hike to Elysian Park, concluding with a dim sum lunch.

Elysian Park was one of the training grounds for a secret army to support General Homer Lea/Dr. Sun Yat-Sen during the Chinese Revolution of 1911. A series of battles defeated the Qing Dynasty and established the Republic of China. The shooting range that trained 300 cadets during the Revolution is now the home of the Los Angeles Police Academy.

The hike will begin at the Chinese American Museum and end at a dim sum restaurant in Chinatown. Historical highlights of these Chinese Pioneers will be shared during the hike. The registration cost will cover the cost of the meal. Participants who wish to opt-out of the dim sum lunch will still need to pay for the full price of registration.

Recommended materials to bring:

  • 1 quart of water
  • Snacks
  • Hiking boots
  • First aid kit
  • Extra clothing

Please check the weather and dress accordingly. All participants must sign the liability waiver form before the hike; waivers can be viewed and downloaded here. Parents must provide consent and sign the waiver for participants under 18 years of age.

Please purchase your tickets in advance at here Brown Paper Ticket. For inquiries, please email rsvp@camla.org or call (213) 485-8567.

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Photo used with permission, creative common license, Eric Richardson, Flickr user ericrichardson


 

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Poetry and History of Chinese Immigrants with Judy Yung

Saturday, March 28, 2015 | 10am
Chinese American Museum

Judy Yung, Professor Emeritus of American Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz and co-editor of the newly published 2nd ed. of Island: Poetry and History of Chinese Immigrants on Angel Island, 1910-1940, will discuss new research, poetry and oral histories of Chinese immigrants detained at the Angel Island Immigration Station.

Island tells these immigrants’ stories while underscoring their relevance to contemporary immigration issues. First published in 1980, this updated edition includes a new historical introduction, 150 annotated poems in Chinese and English translation, extensive profiles gleaned through oral histories, and dozens of additional photographs from public archives and family albums.

Books will be available for purchase and signed by Yung.

Space is limited. Reserve your space by emailing cfhgsc@gmail.com

Co-Presenters
家譜 Chinese Family History Group of Southern California – a Southern California Genealogical Society (SCGS) Interest Group and the Chinese American Museum

Community Partner
Chinese Historical Society of Southern California


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Lantern Festival
March 7, 12 Noon – 7 PM
Chinese American Museum

Visit www.camla.org/LALanternFestival for more details