Preservation and Landmark Recognition

Physical Archives, Digital Archives and Library

The Chinese Historical Society of Southern California welcomes students, scholars and the general public to the Chinatown Heritage Center to conduct research in our archives, pursue our library, and talk to our resident historians.  Our goal is to share our digital assets, archival materials and physical library with the public who are searching for Chinese American, Asian American, and Chinese History resources. 

For over 45 years the Society has collected artifacts, books, magazines, reports, films, photographs, videos and oral histories.  These audio, visual and digital assets have been recently uploaded to our new Digital Archives.  We plan to launch the Digital Archive in the winter of 2022.   

In addition to the Digital Archives, CHSSC has increased Internet access to our vast archives by creating finding aids.  Our physical archives include archaeological collections, reports, theses, dissertations, personal family and institutional collections, music recordings, and textiles.  These finding aids are uploaded to the Online Archive of California (OAC).   The Online Archive of California provides free public access to detailed descriptions of primary resource collections maintained by more than 200 contributing institutions including libraries, special collections, archives, historical societies, and museums throughout California and collections maintained by the ten Universities of California (UC) campuses.  These gateways to digital media and finding aids allows for CHSSC’s assets to be available at any time to the global community.

The physical library at CHSSC contains over 2000 volumes relating to Chinese American history, Asian American history, California history, Chinese culture, children’s stories, fiction, and culinary arts.  All books are cataloged and available on Libib at chssc.libib.com.  Books are available for reference purposes only.  

CHSSC Physical Archives 400x400

Physical Archives Facility

Our collections are housed in an archives facility developed with a grant provided by the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA).

Digital Archive

Digital Archive Project

Our Digital Archives Project was completed with an anonymous donation.

CHSSC Library

Located in the Chinatown Heritage Center

Archaeological Collections

CHSSC has become the guardian of four archaeological collections: The Evans/Chase Collection, the Julia Costello Collection; Old Los Angeles Chinatown Collection, and the High Lung Laundry Collection. 

Old Chinatown 02

Old Los Angeles Chinatown

Located in present day Union Station.

Joss House Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Chinatown

https://www.sbthp.org/a-history-of-chinatown

Joss House, Santa Barbara 1927, by H.M. Davidson. Courtesy of the Presidio Research Center, gift of Elizabeth Hvolboll.

Work Camps

Work Camps -Donner Pass, Grass Valley, and Columbia

https://www.sapiens.org/archaeology/chinese-railroad-workers-utah/

Chinese workers with the Central Pacific Railroad camped close to Brown’s Station, Nevada, in the 1860s. Alfred A. Hart

CHSSC has worked to assure the dignified reburial of remains and artifacts identified as Chinese that were found as a result of excavation for the extension of the Los Angeles metro system.

Preservation

We have supported preservation efforts in other communities

Riverside 1987 1

Riverside Chinatown Historic Site

The historic Riverside Chinatown’s archaeological site was threatened by a planned commercial real estate development supported by the Riverside Council members. On February 24, 2009, a temporary restraining order was issued to halt further unauthorized disturbance of the land. CHSSC volunteers are working closely with Riverside’s Save Our Chinatown Committee on a permanent injunction.

Lang Station

Lang Station Marker

We co-sponsored in 1976 the Lang Station historical marker in Santa Clarita, commemorating the site of the first railroad line, built by the Chinese, which connected San Francisco and Los Angeles on the 100th anniversary.

Chinese Shrine in Evergreen Cemetery

Between 1992 and 1995, we purchased and restored this 19th century Chinese Shrine.

Formosa Cafe 1080x1080

Formosa Cafe in Hollywood

Image from the Formosa Cafe

websitehttps://theformosacafe.com/

Fiddletown Chew Kee Store

Chew Kee Store in Fiddletown

Image from Fiddletown Preservation Society website

https://www.fiddletown.info/