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As a non-profit organization, Chinese Historical Society of America relies on the generosity of the community, individual members, corporations, foundations and public agencies to support our mission of being a steward of the Chinese American narrative. Your support is crucial in helping CHSA promote the history, culture, and legacy of Chinese in America.
Donate to CHSA
As a non-profit organization, Chinese Historical Society of America relies on the generosity of the community, individual members, corporations, foundations and public agencies to support our mission of being a steward of the Chinese American narrative. Your support is crucial in helping CHSA promote the history, culture, and legacy of Chinese in America.
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Our online shop features original publications and books on Chinese American and Asian American history, art, and culture, as well as works and pieces by local artists, and other merchandise that promote the legacy of the Chinese in America. Additionally, it is home to our We Are Bruce Lee merchandise.
Bruce Lee T-Shirt
Jake Lee Prints
New Year Cards
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Meet Mamie Tape, 8-year-old Chinese American changemaker who fought for the right to go to school in San Francisco in the 1880s. Follow Mamie’s brave steps and discover the poignant history of her California Supreme Court case Tape v. Hurley.
Traci Huahn’s children’s book MAMIE TAPE FIGHTS TO GO TO SCHOOL tells the true and inspiring story of a young Chinese American girl’s courageous battle against racial discrimination in the late 1800s.
In support of our story time program with author Traci Huahn this afternoon, we are proud to carry this book in the CHSA gift shop. To purchase your copy, visit CHSA.org.
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#MamieTape #ChineseAmericanHistory #ChineseAmericanStories #SanFranciscoHistory #ChineseAmericanHeroes #AAPIWomensHistory #AAPIStudies #EthnicStudies #AAPIAuthors #WomensHistoryMonth #ChineseAmerica #SanFranciscoChinatown #ChinatownSF #SanFranciscoCalifornia #CHSAMuseum #TraciHuahn #TapeVHurley
Meet Mamie Tape, 8-year-old Chinese American changemaker who fought for the right to go to school in San Francisco in the 1880s. Follow Mamie’s brave steps and discover the poignant history of her California Supreme Court case Tape v. Hurley.
Traci Huahn’s children’s book MAMIE TAPE FIGHTS TO GO TO SCHOOL tells the true and inspiring story of a young Chinese American girl’s courageous battle against racial discrimination in the late 1800s.
In support of our story time program with author Traci Huahn this afternoon, we are proud to carry this book in the CHSA gift shop. To purchase your copy, visit CHSA.org.
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#MamieTape #ChineseAmericanHistory #ChineseAmericanStories #SanFranciscoHistory #ChineseAmericanHeroes #AAPIWomensHistory #AAPIStudies #EthnicStudies #AAPIAuthors #WomensHistoryMonth #ChineseAmerica #SanFranciscoChinatown #ChinatownSF #SanFranciscoCalifornia #CHSAMuseum #TraciHuahn #TapeVHurley
Bruce Lee famously clashed with the traditions of martial arts by advocating for adaptability and practicality over rigid forms, leading to the creation of Jeet Kune Do, a style that rejected dogma and emphasized efficiency and real-world application.
Learn more about Bruce Lee’s non-traditional approach to kung fu and inclusivity at the @wearebrucelee exhibit at CHSA.
For ticket information, visit CHSA.org.
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#BruceLeeExhibit #WeAreBruceLee #UnderTheSkyOneFamily #BruceLeeHistory #BruceLeeMemorabilia #CHSAMuseum #ChinatownMuseum #ChineseAmericanHistory #ChinatownSF #SanFranciscoChinatown #JeetKuneDo
Bruce Lee famously clashed with the traditions of martial arts by advocating for adaptability and practicality over rigid forms, leading to the creation of Jeet Kune Do, a style that rejected dogma and emphasized efficiency and real-world application.
Learn more about Bruce Lee’s non-traditional approach to kung fu and inclusivity at the @wearebrucelee exhibit at CHSA.
For ticket information, visit CHSA.org.
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#BruceLeeExhibit #WeAreBruceLee #UnderTheSkyOneFamily #BruceLeeHistory #BruceLeeMemorabilia #CHSAMuseum #ChinatownMuseum #ChineseAmericanHistory #ChinatownSF #SanFranciscoChinatown #JeetKuneDo
CHSA spotlights the 140th anniversary of the Tape v. Hurley court decision, widely regarded as the starting point when Asian Americans began challenging school segregation and educational inequality.
Mamie Tape was the eldest child of middle-class Chinese immigrants, Joseph and Mary. Born in San Francisco in 1876, her family lived during the rise in anti-Chinese sentiment throughout the country that led to the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882. Joseph was quite successful as a businessman, broker, and interpreter for the Imperial Consulate of China, earning enough money to move his family outside of Chinatown into a predominantly white neighborhood.
When Mamie was 8 years old, she attempted to enroll in the all-white Spring Valley School. Although she was born in the U.S. and was an American citizen, she was turned away because of her Chinese ancestry. Her parents sued the San Francisco Board of Education, the public-school superintendent, and the school principal, Jennie Hurley.
In January 1885, in the case TAPE V. HURLEY, the California Supreme Court found the exclusion of a Chinese American student from public school based on her ancestry unlawful. The case effectively ruled that minority children were entitled to attend public school in California. In March 1885, on appeal, the California Supreme Court upheld the decision.
CHSA is proud to celebrate the anniversary of this groundbreaking, landmark case with a special program this Saturday, Marcy 15, spotlighting author Traci Huahn’s children’s book MAMIE TAPE FIGHTS TO GO TO SCHOOL. This presentation will educate, entertain, and enlighten audiences about the legacy of Mamie Tape and her incredible journey.
For more information, visit CHSA.org.
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#MamieTape #TapeVHurley #ChineseAmericanHistory #AAPIStudies #AAPIHistory #EthnicStudies #SanFranciscoHistory #SanFranciscoChinatown #ChinatownSF #CHSAMuseum
CHSA spotlights the 140th anniversary of the Tape v. Hurley court decision, widely regarded as the starting point when Asian Americans began challenging school segregation and educational inequality.
Mamie Tape was the eldest child of middle-class Chinese immigrants, Joseph and Mary. Born in San Francisco in 1876, her family lived during the rise in anti-Chinese sentiment throughout the country that led to the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882. Joseph was quite successful as a businessman, broker, and interpreter for the Imperial Consulate of China, earning enough money to move his family outside of Chinatown into a predominantly white neighborhood.
When Mamie was 8 years old, she attempted to enroll in the all-white Spring Valley School. Although she was born in the U.S. and was an American citizen, she was turned away because of her Chinese ancestry. Her parents sued the San Francisco Board of Education, the public-school superintendent, and the school principal, Jennie Hurley.
In January 1885, in the case TAPE V. HURLEY, the California Supreme Court found the exclusion of a Chinese American student from public school based on her ancestry unlawful. The case effectively ruled that minority children were entitled to attend public school in California. In March 1885, on appeal, the California Supreme Court upheld the decision.
CHSA is proud to celebrate the anniversary of this groundbreaking, landmark case with a special program this Saturday, Marcy 15, spotlighting author Traci Huahn’s children’s book MAMIE TAPE FIGHTS TO GO TO SCHOOL. This presentation will educate, entertain, and enlighten audiences about the legacy of Mamie Tape and her incredible journey.
For more information, visit CHSA.org.
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#MamieTape #TapeVHurley #ChineseAmericanHistory #AAPIStudies #AAPIHistory #EthnicStudies #SanFranciscoHistory #SanFranciscoChinatown #ChinatownSF #CHSAMuseum
Celebrating International Women’s Day
Spotlight: The Square and Circle Club
The Square & Circle Club was founded in 1924 in San Francisco Chinatown by seven idealistic young ladies who wanted to raise relief funds for flood victims in China. The club’s name comes from a Chinese proverb meaning “In deeds be square; in knowledge be all-round.”
The original founding members were: first president Alice Fong Yu along with Anne Lee Leong, Ivy Lee Mah, Bessie Wong Shum, Daisy K. Wong and Daisy L. Wong.
Square and Circle is the oldest Chinese women’s community service club in the United States and the first Chinese American women’s service club to exist as its own independent entity outside of a women’s axillary branch of a church or men’s service organization.
We are proud to spotlight the history and legacy of the Square and Circle Club in the 2024 Chinese America: History and Perspectives academic journal, which is available for purchase on CHSA.org.
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#InternationalWomensDay2025 #SquareAndCircleClub #ChineseAmericanWomenInHistory #ChineseAmericanHistory #ChineseAmerica #SanFranciscoHistory #SanFranciscoChinatown #ChinatownSF #HistoryAndPerspectives2025
Celebrating International Women’s Day
Spotlight: The Square and Circle Club
The Square & Circle Club was founded in 1924 in San Francisco Chinatown by seven idealistic young ladies who wanted to raise relief funds for flood victims in China. The club’s name comes from a Chinese proverb meaning “In deeds be square; in knowledge be all-round.”
The original founding members were: first president Alice Fong Yu along with Anne Lee Leong, Ivy Lee Mah, Bessie Wong Shum, Daisy K. Wong and Daisy L. Wong.
Square and Circle is the oldest Chinese women’s community service club in the United States and the first Chinese American women’s service club to exist as its own independent entity outside of a women’s axillary branch of a church or men’s service organization.
We are proud to spotlight the history and legacy of the Square and Circle Club in the 2024 Chinese America: History and Perspectives academic journal, which is available for purchase on CHSA.org.
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#InternationalWomensDay2025 #SquareAndCircleClub #ChineseAmericanWomenInHistory #ChineseAmericanHistory #ChineseAmerica #SanFranciscoHistory #SanFranciscoChinatown #ChinatownSF #HistoryAndPerspectives2025
Huge thank you to our partners at @sfchinesechamberofcommerce @standwithasians @rosepakcommunityfund @bruceleefoundation @cccsanfrancisco and @jeffchinn72 for supporting our exciting announcement yesterday of our upcoming Bruce Lee Statue project.
We look forward to sharing continued updates of this amazing vision and mission in eternalizing Bruce Lee in his birthplace—San Francisco Chinatown.
#BruceLeeStatue #BruceLee #WeAreBruceLee #ChineseAmerica #ChinatownSF #sanFranciscoChinatown #CHSAMuseum
Huge thank you to our partners at @sfchinesechamberofcommerce @standwithasians @rosepakcommunityfund @bruceleefoundation @cccsanfrancisco and @jeffchinn72 for supporting our exciting announcement yesterday of our upcoming Bruce Lee Statue project.
We look forward to sharing continued updates of this amazing vision and mission in eternalizing Bruce Lee in his birthplace—San Francisco Chinatown.
#BruceLeeStatue #BruceLee #WeAreBruceLee #ChineseAmerica #ChinatownSF #sanFranciscoChinatown #CHSAMuseum
FREE ADMISSION DAY
Friday, March 7, 11a-4p
In support of our monumental press conference tomorrow announcing the Bruce Lee Statue project, CHSA will be offering free admission to the museum for the entire day.
Stop by to check out the We Are Bruce Lee exhibit; learn about the historical migration of Chinese in the Richmond; and discover the delightful Frank Wong miniatures.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
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#CHSAMuseum #ChinatownMuseum #ChineseHistoryMuseum #ChineseHistoricalSocietyOfAmerica #ChinatownSanFrancisco #SFChinatown #SanFranciscoMuseums #SanFranciscoBayArea
Free admission day.png
FREE ADMISSION DAY
Friday, March 7, 11a-4p
In support of our monumental press conference tomorrow announcing the Bruce Lee Statue project, CHSA will be offering free admission to the museum for the entire day.
Stop by to check out the We Are Bruce Lee exhibit; learn about the historical migration of Chinese in the Richmond; and discover the delightful Frank Wong miniatures.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
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#CHSAMuseum #ChinatownMuseum #ChineseHistoryMuseum #ChineseHistoricalSocietyOfAmerica #ChinatownSanFrancisco #SFChinatown #SanFranciscoMuseums #SanFranciscoBayArea
Free admission day.png
Join us this Friday, March 7, at 11 AM at CHSA Museum’s We Are Bruce Lee exhibit for the official launch of the Bruce Lee Statue Project! 🥋✨
We’re bringing Bruce Lee home to San Francisco’s Chinatown with a monumental tribute to honor his legacy. Former SF Mayor Willie Brown and community leaders will share details about this historic project and its impact.
Be part of this moment as we work to create a lasting tribute to Chinatown’s native son and global icon. See you there!
📍 CHSA Museum – 965 Clay Street, SF
📅 Friday, March 7 | 11 AM
#BruceLee #CHSAMuseum #BruceLeeStatue #BruceLeeStatueSF #李小龍 #李振藩 #WeAreBruceLee #SanFrancisco #Chinatown #ChinatownSF #SanFranciscoChinatown #SanFranciscoHistory #ChineseAmericanHistory #FamousSanFranciscans
Join us this Friday, March 7, at 11 AM at CHSA Museum’s We Are Bruce Lee exhibit for the official launch of the Bruce Lee Statue Project! 🥋✨
We’re bringing Bruce Lee home to San Francisco’s Chinatown with a monumental tribute to honor his legacy. Former SF Mayor Willie Brown and community leaders will share details about this historic project and its impact.
Be part of this moment as we work to create a lasting tribute to Chinatown’s native son and global icon. See you there!
📍 CHSA Museum – 965 Clay Street, SF
📅 Friday, March 7 | 11 AM
#BruceLee #CHSAMuseum #BruceLeeStatue #BruceLeeStatueSF #李小龍 #李振藩 #WeAreBruceLee #SanFrancisco #Chinatown #ChinatownSF #SanFranciscoChinatown #SanFranciscoHistory #ChineseAmericanHistory #FamousSanFranciscans
Thank you to the Sunset Chinese Cultural District. It was a special treat to share CHSA’s traveling exhibit CHINESE IN THE SUNSET yesterday as part of this intimate neighborhood spotlight on uncovered stories of the Sunset district.
Posted @withregram • @sunsetchineseculturaldistrict What a wonderful afternoon exploring the shared history found in the Sunset!
Thank you to our partners for making this SF Survey event happen!
@wahmeischool
@chsamuseum
@irishcentersf
@sfplanning
Thank you to the Sunset Chinese Cultural District. It was a special treat to share CHSA’s traveling exhibit CHINESE IN THE SUNSET yesterday as part of this intimate neighborhood spotlight on uncovered stories of the Sunset district.
Posted @withregram • @sunsetchineseculturaldistrict What a wonderful afternoon exploring the shared history found in the Sunset!
Thank you to our partners for making this SF Survey event happen!
@wahmeischool
@chsamuseum
@irishcentersf
@sfplanning
Gift Shop Spotlight:
CHSA Tote Bag
We’re excited to introduce our new CHSA-branded tote bags. Featuring a wonderfully artistic depiction of the CHSA Museum.
Stylish. Sturdy. Sensible.
Made with heavy cotton duck construction canvas.
Be sure to stop by the CHSA gift shop or purchase online at CHSA.org.
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#CHSAToteBag #ToteBagDesigns #CHSAMuseum #CHSAGiftShop #ChinatownSanFrancisco #SFChinatown
Gift Shop Spotlight:
CHSA Tote Bag
We’re excited to introduce our new CHSA-branded tote bags. Featuring a wonderfully artistic depiction of the CHSA Museum.
Stylish. Sturdy. Sensible.
Made with heavy cotton duck construction canvas.
Be sure to stop by the CHSA gift shop or purchase online at CHSA.org.
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#CHSAToteBag #ToteBagDesigns #CHSAMuseum #CHSAGiftShop #ChinatownSanFrancisco #SFChinatown
George Lee is an 88-year-old Chinese-American blackjack dealer in Las Vegas with an unheralded place in ballet and Broadway history as an AAPI dancer.
A child dance prodigy and refugee from Shanghai, George became a teenage sensation in the original staging of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker exactly 70 years ago, performing the “Tea” divertissement. George’s story is uniquely American: an immigrant striving to prove himself as an Asian pioneer in ballet and on Broadway, where he was cast by Gene Kelly for the original production of Flower Drum Song.
CHSA is proud to present this very special screening of Ten Times Better for the first time in San Francisco Chinatown. Join CHSA for an exploration of George’s life and trailblazing career.
This one-of-a-kind presentation includes a film screening and very special meet-and-greet session with director Jennifer Lin. Complimentary dim sum and refreshments and access to museum exhibits are included with admission.
WHEN: April 5, 4PM
WHERE: CHSA Museum
ADMISSION: $20 general/$15 for CHSA members
For more information or to purchase tickets, see link in bio.
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#TenTimesBetterFilm #TenTimesBetter #GeorgeLeeDancer #FilmScreeningSanFrancisco #SanFranciscoChinatownEvents #ChinatownEvents #AAPIMovies #AAPIDocumentaries #ChineseAmericanHistory #ChineseAmerica #ChineseAmericanCommunity #CHSAMuseum #SanFranciscoChinatown #ChinatownSF #FilmsAboutDance
George Lee is an 88-year-old Chinese-American blackjack dealer in Las Vegas with an unheralded place in ballet and Broadway history as an AAPI dancer.
A child dance prodigy and refugee from Shanghai, George became a teenage sensation in the original staging of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker exactly 70 years ago, performing the “Tea” divertissement. George’s story is uniquely American: an immigrant striving to prove himself as an Asian pioneer in ballet and on Broadway, where he was cast by Gene Kelly for the original production of Flower Drum Song.
CHSA is proud to present this very special screening of Ten Times Better for the first time in San Francisco Chinatown. Join CHSA for an exploration of George’s life and trailblazing career.
This one-of-a-kind presentation includes a film screening and very special meet-and-greet session with director Jennifer Lin. Complimentary dim sum and refreshments and access to museum exhibits are included with admission.
WHEN: April 5, 4PM
WHERE: CHSA Museum
ADMISSION: $20 general/$15 for CHSA members
For more information or to purchase tickets, see link in bio.
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#TenTimesBetterFilm #TenTimesBetter #GeorgeLeeDancer #FilmScreeningSanFrancisco #SanFranciscoChinatownEvents #ChinatownEvents #AAPIMovies #AAPIDocumentaries #ChineseAmericanHistory #ChineseAmerica #ChineseAmericanCommunity #CHSAMuseum #SanFranciscoChinatown #ChinatownSF #FilmsAboutDance
CHSA is proud to announce a very special family event during Women’s History Month.
CHSA spotlights the story of 8-year-old Mamie Tape, whose groundbreaking legal battle to attend a primary school that did not accept Chinese Americans was an early stepping stone in equal rights and education equity. There were no public schools for Chinese Americans in 1884 in San Francisco when Mamie tried to attend the white school and was turned away. That led her parents to go to court, first at the city level and then with the state. Victories were met with more setbacks.
Author Traci Huahn’s picture book tells the true story of a fight for access to public education through the eyes of Mamie.
Join us for a fun family day that includes a special reading of Traci’s picture book MAMIE TAPE FIGHTS TO GO TO SCHOOL along with educational arts and crafts activities designed to entertain, enlighten, and educate audiences about this important legal case.
WHEN: Saturday, March 15, 2pm
WHERE: CHSA Museum
To learn more and RSVP at CHSA.org.
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#MamieTape #ChineseAmericanHistory #SanFranciscoHistory #ChineseAmericans #WomensHistoryMonth #AAPIHistory #CHSAMuseum #ChinatownSF #SanFranciscoChinatoen
CHSA is proud to announce a very special family event during Women’s History Month.
CHSA spotlights the story of 8-year-old Mamie Tape, whose groundbreaking legal battle to attend a primary school that did not accept Chinese Americans was an early stepping stone in equal rights and education equity. There were no public schools for Chinese Americans in 1884 in San Francisco when Mamie tried to attend the white school and was turned away. That led her parents to go to court, first at the city level and then with the state. Victories were met with more setbacks.
Author Traci Huahn’s picture book tells the true story of a fight for access to public education through the eyes of Mamie.
Join us for a fun family day that includes a special reading of Traci’s picture book MAMIE TAPE FIGHTS TO GO TO SCHOOL along with educational arts and crafts activities designed to entertain, enlighten, and educate audiences about this important legal case.
WHEN: Saturday, March 15, 2pm
WHERE: CHSA Museum
To learn more and RSVP at CHSA.org.
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#MamieTape #ChineseAmericanHistory #SanFranciscoHistory #ChineseAmericans #WomensHistoryMonth #AAPIHistory #CHSAMuseum #ChinatownSF #SanFranciscoChinatoen
FLASHBACK FRIDAY
February 2, 2025
CHSA’s Year of the Snake Celebration
Thank you to everyone who braved the rainy weather to help us ring in the Lunar New Year 🧧 last weekend.
We were delighted to commemorate the holiday with our network of friends and family with a fun-filled day of arts & crafts, traditional calligraphy demonstrations, mahjong and other games, and a ceremonial lion dance performance. It was a thrill to share this day of culture and community with you all!
Here’s to a Year of the Snake filled with continued health, wealth, and happiness!
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#FlashbackFriday #ChineseNewYearCelebration #YearOfTheSnakeCelebration #ChineseNewYear2025 #LunarNewYear2025 #YearOfTheSnake2025 #CHSAMuseum #SFChinatown #ChinatownSanFrancisco #LionDancingSanFrancisco
FLASHBACK FRIDAY
February 2, 2025
CHSA’s Year of the Snake Celebration
Thank you to everyone who braved the rainy weather to help us ring in the Lunar New Year 🧧 last weekend.
We were delighted to commemorate the holiday with our network of friends and family with a fun-filled day of arts & crafts, traditional calligraphy demonstrations, mahjong and other games, and a ceremonial lion dance performance. It was a thrill to share this day of culture and community with you all!
Here’s to a Year of the Snake filled with continued health, wealth, and happiness!
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#FlashbackFriday #ChineseNewYearCelebration #YearOfTheSnakeCelebration #ChineseNewYear2025 #LunarNewYear2025 #YearOfTheSnake2025 #CHSAMuseum #SFChinatown #ChinatownSanFrancisco #LionDancingSanFrancisco
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