The Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA) along with the Western Neighborhoods Project (WNP) announce the launch of the traveling exhibit Chinese in the Richmond. This series of oral histories explores the Chinese American experience in one of San Francisco’s largest and most diverse neighborhoods, which has evolved from predominantly Irish and German populations to one with large European and Asian communities. Chinese in the Richmond will make its debut with an evening reception at One Richmond San Francisco on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 5 p.m. 

Featuring personal stories and testimonies collected by family members of the earliest Chinese American homeowners and business owners, Chinese in the Richmond describes life in the Richmond District as early adaptors when San Francisco’s northwest quadrant became increasingly populated by Chinese Americans. It is a companion exhibit to CHSA’s 2017 Chinese in the Sunset. 

The goal of these two exhibits is to shed light on the Chinese American migration away from San Francisco Chinatown to the western part of the city during the early part of the 20th century. Support from then-San Francisco Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer, a fourth-generation Chinese American and Richmond resident for over 50 years, and from WNP, which helped secure funding for this project, helped jump start ideation for Chinese in the Richmond in 2019. These two exhibitions complete a narrative pathway through the barriers and restrictions that were overcome by Chinese Americans as they first brought families to both the Sunset and Richmond neighborhoods. 

Special ceremonial remarks will be made by Chinese in the Richmond local residents, subjects, and contributors; project leaders and organizers; and public servants to share the importance of this exhibit to the neighborhood, the City of San Francisco, and the Chinese American community and its history. The exhibit grand opening will begin at 5 p.m.

Presenters and speakers (additional participants may be added):

• Justin Hoover — Executive Director, CHSA
• Connie Chan — San Francisco Board of Supervisors, District 1
• Judge Bruce Chan — Superior Court, San Francisco
• Malcom Yeung — Executive Director, Chinatown Community Development Center
• Woody LaBounty — Historian, Writer

A reception with dim sum refreshments provided by Harmony Rest of Marin will follow.

Live music will be provided by Citizens Jazz.

For more information, visit CHSA.org.