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Chinese Historical Society of Southern California

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Chinatown Heritage and Visitor Center

Chinese Historical Society of Southern California (CHSSC, Chinese: 南加州華人歷史學會; pinyin: Nán Jiāzhōu Huárén Lìshǐ Xuéhuì) is an historical society and organization based in Los Angeles Chinatown, California. There are monthly meetings,[1] field trips,[2] archive and library collections,[3][4][5] oral history projects, scholarships, and publications.[1] [2][3][4][5]

History

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On November 1, 1975, the CHSSC held its founding meeting at Cathay Bank in Los Angeles, California. Its key attendees included Paul Louie, William Mason, and Paul De Falla.[6]

Its mission is:

  • To bring together people with a mutual interest in the important history and historical role of Chinese and Chinese Americans in Southern California;
  • To pursue, preserve and communicate knowledge of this history; and
  • To promote the heritage of the Chinese and Chinese American community in support of a better appreciation of our rich, multi-cultural society.

The CHSSC purchased the site of their present building in Bernard Street in the mid 1990s,[7] constructing a Chinatown Heritage & Visitors Center that is open to the public.[8]

Projects

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CHSSC has published several books. Duty & Honor was published in 1998, celebrating Chinese American World War II veterans,[9] and Portraits of Pride I (2004) & II (2012),[10] which are collections of the biographies of high achieving but little known Chinese Americans.

In 1992, the society purchased a shrine built in 1880 and 42 surrounding burial places in Evergreen Cemetery, which they restored. It is now a registered historic monument.[7][11]

CHSSC Honorees

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Each year the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California honors Chinese Americans who have made significant contributions to the greater Los Angeles community. They have included:

In 2019, the CHSSC participated in the "Gatherings: Collecting and Documenting Chinese American History" exhibit for the Museum of Chinese in America.[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Hotharth, Tom (12 January 2017). "Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo frames his family legacy for Chinese Historical Society". Daily News. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  2. ^ a b Singh Gee, Alison (26 February 2018). "Beyond Gold Mountain: Yosemite's Chinese American History". Sierra Club. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Chinese Historical Society of Southern California Collection, ca.1880-1933". digitallibrary.usc.edu. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Cal State LA class collects history of local Chinese American community". Pasadena Star News. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  5. ^ a b "World War II Chinese American veterans collection". Online Archive of California. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  6. ^ "Chinese Historical Society of Southern California". chssc.org. Retrieved August 18, 2019.
  7. ^ a b Connie Kang, K. (17 September 1992). "Chinese Group Wins Battle to Buy 1888 Shrine". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  8. ^ Hemmerlein, Sandi (17 January 2017). "Welcome the Coming of Spring With These Lunar New Year Celebrations". KCET. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  9. ^ Catalogue - Duty & Honor. OCLC 40988527.
  10. ^ "Chinese in California exhibit opens". www.berkeley.edu. 4 August 2005. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  11. ^ Ni, Ching-Ching (July 25, 2010). "Irvin R. Lai dies at 83; Chinese American community leader in Los Angeles". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  12. ^ CHSSC 2005 Honorees Archived 2008-07-05 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ^ CHSSC 2006 Honorees Archived 2008-07-05 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ a b c "Honorees". Chinese Historical Society of Southern California. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  15. ^ "Mission and History – Chinese Historical Society of Southern California". Retrieved 2024-03-27.
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