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On Saturday, November 5 Chinese Historical Society Museum Reopens Landmark Chinese American: Exclusion/Inclusion Exhibition, Is Largest Ever for Esteemed Institution in San Francisco’s Chinatown
21 September 2016 – San Francisco, CA: It is said that good things come to those that wait, and the reopening of San Francisco’s Chinese Historical Society of America (www.chsa.org) is indeed a good thing — a landmark thing, actually. On Saturday, November 5, the oldest museum dedicated to the Chinese American experience re-opens after a summer of renovation with the most extensive and important exhibition in its 50 year history: Chinese American: Exclusion/Inclusion.
“This exhibit is the proof of our mission,” said Sue Lee, Executive Director of the Chinese Historical Society noting that the exhibition features reproductions from the New-York Historical Society’s holdings, interactive media, evocative recreations, and CHSA’s own historic Chinatown paintings by Jake Lee. “The curatorial quality, the historical detail, and the hands-on interactive technology of this exhibit are unlike anything we have ever done. Its educational potential really raises the bar for us. It is an unprecedented exploration of the Chinese American experience and diaspora.”
Prior to its now permanent installation at CHSA, Chinese American: Exclusion/Inclusion had impressive runs at the Oregon Historical Society and at the New-York Historical Society, the latter of which facilitated the exhibition’s donation to CHSA. In addition to the exhibition donation from the New-York Historical Society, funding and installation for the exhibit has been made possible through the generous contributions of the following Chinese Historical Society supporters: The R.J.Louie Foundation, Seligman Family Foundation, and the Committee of 100.
“Quite simply,” said Lee, “this exhibit is the most comprehensive museum expression about the experience of Chinese in America to date. We are actively seeking additional financial support and program partnerships in order to make this exhibition a national destination for experiencing this impressive interpretation of our community’s history in the greater American historical narrative.”
About Chinese Historical Society of America
The Chinese Historical Society of America is the oldest organization in the country dedicated to the interpretation, promotion, and preservation of the social, cultural and political history and contributions of the Chinese in America. CHSA pursues this mission through exhibitions, publications, and educational and public programs in the CHSA Museum and Learning Center, a landmark Julia Morgan-designed building (formerly the Chinatown YWCA) located at 965 Clay Street, San Francisco.
