Sharing the Community's History

The Chinese Historical Society has since undertaken many efforts to support its goals of collecting, preserving, and sharing Chinese American history.  Led by a diverse group of members, CHSSC has planned and implemented a wide slate of activities. Here you will find a list of our accomplishments.

Photo of attendees at a monthly meeting Monthly Meeting Attendees

In 1992, the CHSSC organized a National Chinese American Studies Conference at California State University, Los Angeles that featured speakers and scholars from all across the United States. The edited volume, Origins and Destinations was published incorporating papers from the conference.  In 1999, the Society co-sponsored the Sixth Chinese American Conference held in San Diego, California resulting in the publication In The Chinese in America: A History From Gold Mountain to the New Millennium.

The CHSSC has encouraged research and publications on both an academic and general interest level. Published books include:

Cover of the Gum Saan Journal - The Eagle and the Dragon Gum Saan Journals (1977 to present) gumsaanjournal.com

Cover of the book Linking Our Lives

Cheng, Lucie, Suellen Cheng, Judy Chu, Feelie Lee, Marjorie Lee, and Susie Ling. “Linking Our Lives: Chinese American Women of Los Angeles.” Los Angeles: Chinese Historical Society of Southern California(1984). Purchase at Our Bookstore

Linking Our Lives was published in conjunction with the Asian American Studies Center and features stories about Chinese American Women in Los Angeles.

Cover of the book Sweet Bamboo written by Louise Leung Larson

Larson, Louise Leung. Sweet Bamboo: A Memoir of a Chinese American Family. University of California Press (1989). Purchase at Our Bookstore

This book lovingly chronicles the many challenges experienced by the Leung family, and illuminates the many changes that occurred as the family integrated into American society. 

Cover of the book Origins and Destinations, 41 Essays on Chinese AmericaMunson A. Kwok and Ella Yee Quan. “Origins and Destinations: 41 Essays on Chinese America” (1994). Purchase at Our Bookstore

Edited volume comprised of papers presented at National Chinese American Studies Conference at California State University, Los Angeles in 1992.

Cover of the book Duty and Honor

Lee, Marjorie, ed. Duty & Honor: A Tribute to Chinese American World War II Veterans of Southern California. Chinese Historical Society of Southern California (1997). Purchase at Our Bookstore

Hear the voices of over 400 Chinese American men and women who proudly, yet modestly, and in many cases painfully, came forward to tell us about their participation and experiences in America’s memorable WWII effort.

Cover of the book Bridging the Centuries

    • Ling, Susie, ed. Bridging the Centuries: the History of Chinese Americans in Southern California, Chinese Historical Society of Southern California (2001). Purchase at Our Bookstore

A collection of essays on contemporary and historical accounts of Chinese Americans in Southern California, from Santa Barbara in the north to Mexicali in the south.

Cover of the book Portraits of Pride

    • Wing Mar, Portraits of Pride Book 1. Chinese Historical Society Of Southern California, (2004). Purchase at Our Bookstore

Portraits of Pride project is an oral history and publication effort initiated to record the experiences of Chinese Americans who have distinguished themselves in the health, science, engineering, and architectural fields.

Cover of the book Chinatown in Los Angeles

Cho, Jenny. Chinatown in Los Angeles. Arcadia Publishing, (2009). Purchase at Our Bookstore

Volume includes historic images of the multiple incarnations of Los Angeles Chinatown. 

    • Cho, Jenny. Chinatown and China City in Los Angeles. Arcadia Publishing, (2011). Purchase at Our Bookstore

This book focuses on New Chinatown and China City.

Cover of the book Portraits of Pride II, Chinese American Legacy - First 160 Years in America, Second Edition

L.P. Leung, Portraits of Pride II. Chinese Historical Society Of Southern California, (2011). Purchase at Our Bookstore

Portraits of Pride II profiles prominent Chinese American individuals throughout the United States. 

Cover of the book Chinese in HollywoodCho, Jenny. Chinese in Hollywood. Arcadia Publishing, (2013). Purchase at Our Bookstore

Publications comprised of historical images of Chinese Americans involved in the film industry.

Cover of the book Roads Into and Out Of Chinatown written by Annie Chin Siu, D.D.S.

Siu, Annie Chin, Roads into and Out of Chinatown.  Chinese Historical Society of Southern California (2014). Purchase at Our Bookstore

A remarkable story of Dr. Annie Siu, a young  Chinese America woman who was able to find the strength to take a very different pathway to her future. Not only a pioneering orthodontist; she was also an Asian American leader before the San Gabriel Valley was a thriving community. 

Cover of the book Fighting For the Dream, Voices of Chinese American Veterans from World War II to Afghanistan, written by Victoria MoyMoy, Victoria, Fighting for the Dream: Voices of Chinese American Veterans from World War II to Afghanistan.  .  Chinese Historical Society of Southern California (2014). Purchase at Our Bookstore

Forty Chinese American veterans in their 20s to 90s talk about battles and triumphs before, during, and after war.  These individuals defied boundaries, went against their cultural grain, and changed history.  Through their personal stories, we see a greater tapestry that is the story of America in the last hundred.

Cover of the video Revisiting East Adams

Gow, William and Jenny Cho, Revisiting East Adams.  Chinese Historical Society of Southern California (2004). Purchase at Our Bookstore

Revisiting East Adams captures the history of a Chinese American community in downtown Los Angeles from the 1930s to 1950s.  During this period, the intersection of East Adams and San Pedro Street was home to a vibrant Chinese American community that preserved Chinese culture through social and religious organization such as Chinese Presbyterian Church, Chinese schools and various youth groups.  East Adams was also a self-sustaining community whose residents earned a living by working at local businesses such as City Market on 9th street, the CFO gas station, and the Kwong Hing Lung grocery store.  The stories of these former Chinese residents expand our understanding of the history of Los Angeles. 

The CHSSC has actively participated in many community activities such as:

    • Our flag unit has been leading the parade in LA Chinatown every Chinese New Year since 1976.
    • We have marched in the Alhambra Chinese New Year parade and the Bok Kai Festival in Marysville, California.
    • The CHSSC co-sponsored the revival of the traditional Moon Festival.
    • We have assisted with the Chinatown 10K Run
    • Participated in the annual Lotus Festival, and the LA Conservancy’s 25th Anniversary Celebration at Union Station.
    • Organized an annual Ch’ing Ming festival at Evergreen Cemetery.
    • Participated in the 100th anniversary at Lang Station in 1976.
    • Participated in the Archives Bazaar at USC
    • Participated in History Day LA

The CHSSC has networked with other communities and organizations through field trips to historic Chinese American sites, ranging from California, to Mexico, to Hawaii and the Golden Spike National Historic Site in Utah.

We are involved with, and support community organizations such as:

As we look to the future, let’s build on the contributions of those who came before us, and work hard to preserve and share our cultural heritage!