CHSA kicks off its April Second Saturday program with a commemoration of the anniversary of the San Francisco 1906 Earthquake and Fire. The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and subsequent fire destroyed nearly all of Chinatown. Unknown numbers of the 14,000 Chinatown residents were killed in the fire and the rest were displaced from their homes. It also marked the beginning of Chinatown as we know it today.
At 1pm in CHSA’s Main Gallery, CHSA Artist-in-residence Charlie Chin presents “Chinatown is Burning! Hugh Liang: Eyewitness to the 1906 Earthquake and Fire.” Meet Hugh Liang as he recounts his story of surviving the earthquake and fire as a 15-year-old, discusses the rebuilding of Chinatown, and talks about his amazing life as a vaudeville star and radio personality.
CHSA will also display its exhibit “Earthquake: The Chinatown Story,” with artifacts and photos from the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire. An online version of this exhibit is now available at the Google Cultural Institute.