Historical society puts Chinese American history on display

San Francisco’s Chinatown is a great place to visit for a taste of flavorful food and look at vibrant culture, but the neighborhood is also steeped in rich history. The Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA) is dedicated to preserving that priceless history for generations to enjoy. "Chinese Historical Society of America is the oldest institution housing the history of Chinese Americans in America, " CHSA Interim Executive Director Janice Pettey explains, "the holder of a vast collection of about 17,000 items representing all facets of the history of Chinese Americans, in the Bay Area, in California, in the United States." The society has thrived for more than half a century. "Chinese Historical Society of America was founded in the 1960s by a group of men who felt that it was important to preserve their history that they had grown up with of Chinese Americans in Chinatown, San Francisco," Pettey reveals, Visitors can explore portions of the vast history of the Chinese American experience at the CHSA museum on Clay St in San Francisco. Currently, the CHSA has partnered with the Bruce Lee Foundation for the "We Are Bruce Lee" exhibit. "Part of the beauty of this collection that we have, this exhibit, is that you see so many facets of Bruce Lee, the man, the details that illuminate who Bruce Lee was," Pettey states. A permanent exhibit showcasing miniature sculptures created by Frank Wong offer visitors a unique way to enjoy a snapshot of the area’s history. "He meticulously recreated each of those miniatures from his memory. They represent different parts of life: a kitchen, a Christmas scene, a laundry, a shoeshine shop. They’re a miniature view into one man's memory of his life, growing up in Chinatown, in the 1930s to the 1950s," Pettey enthusiastically says. The museum building itself, originally a YWCA, is also a stunning part of the neighborhood’s past. Designed by the noted architect, Julia Morgan, who designed Hearst Castle, the building allows guests to walk the halls and discover many beautiful details of design. "To not look at the building itself while you're at the museum is a loss," Pettey declares. Looking into the future, the CHSA is focused not only on preservation but also on sharing Chinese America history with generations to come. "And I would hope that for CHSA in the future, what we're able to do is to continue to educate, to inspire, to enlighten people," Pettey offers, "we want the Chinese American history to be shared broadly." For more information about the CHSA, visit https://chsa.org/. Check us out on: Website - www.localish.com Facebook -   / localish   Instagram -   / localish   Twitter -   / localish   Localish is all about bringing out the good in America’s cities. Our locally-sourced stories transcend city limits so you can live like a local wherever you go. #Localish #GoodPeople #GoodNews