Bulletin - Chinese Historical Society of America

Bulletin
CHINESE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA | MARCH APRIL 2007 | VOL. 43, NO. 1
March/April
2007
CALENDAR OF CHSA EVENTS
& EXHIBITS
Glamour, Glitz, and Glitter
Reign in Miss Chinatown USA
CHSA co-presents the following films at
the annual Asian American International
Film Festival at the Castro Theatre:
Hollywood Chinese (3/18, 6 pm), Flower
Drum Song (3/17, 9 pm), Pavement
Butterfly (3/18, 12:30 pm), and Big Trouble
in Little China (3/16, 10 pm).
April 26
Author and Chinatown native William Poy
Lee, will read from his new memoir The
Eighth Promise. CHSA, 7 pm.
April 28
The world premiere of composer Jon Jang’s
Chinese American Symphony, a tribute to the
Chinese builders of the transcontinental railroad, will take place at the Sacramento
Philharmonic (www.sacphil.org), 8 pm
May 2
CHSA is proud to partner with KQED on
their Documenting China exhibition and programs. Opening reception at Koret
Auditorium, 5-7:30 pm.
May 9
Remembering 1882 will honor the events
and history of the 125th anniversary of the
1882 Exclusion Act. Philip Burton Federal
Building (450 Golden Gate, SF), 4-6 pm
May 18
Tribute to UC Berkeley Professor Emeritus
Ling-chi Wang, recognized in Amerasia
Journal’s newly published L. Ling-chi Wang: The
Quintessential Scholar-Activist. Co-sponsored by
the UCLA Asian American Studies Center.
CHSA, 6-8 pm
Exhibit
Miss Chinatown USA now through June 30,
Philip P. Choy Gallery.
Alice Fong: A Retrospective, now though
summer, Frank H. Yick Gallery.
All CHSA events are free to
the public
For more info, call (415) 391-1188 or visit
www.chsa.org
T
Miss Chinatown USA
he reception in celebration of our
2007 court and
new exhibit Miss Chinatown USA
contestants present Sue
was a glamorous and grand affair. On the Lee, CHSA Executive
Director, with a special
evening of Friday, Febraury 23, past &
commemorative plaque.
present contestants gathered at CHSA
including: Penny Lee Wong, Miss Chinatown 1948; Ruby
Kwong Chee, Miss Chinatown 1957; June Gong Chin, Miss
Chinatown USA 1958; Leona Lee, Miss Chinatown USA 1959;
Linda Shen Lei, Miss Chinatown USA 1971; Sandra Wong
Dietrich, Miss Chinatown USA 1973; Rose Chung, Miss
Chinatown USA 1981; Sandra Young Chew, Miss Chinatown
USA 1983; Ivy Hsu, Miss Chinatown USA 1994; Lori Young
Timmons, Miss Chinatown USA 1997; and Carol Chen, Miss
Chinatown USA 2005. Many pageant organizers, contestants,
escorts, and volunteers were also present.
The event was co-sponsored by the SF Chinese Chamber
of Commerce, Hawaii Chamber of Commerce of Northern
California, and United Chinese Society of Hawaii. Thanks to
Hukilau, Poleng Lounge,
See more photos from
Butterfly, and Takara Sake USA the Miss Chinatown
for their food and beverage
USA reception and
donations. e
exhibit on pages 4 & 5.
Annual Meeting & Volunteer
Appreciation Luncheon
CH INE SE HI STORI CAL
S OCIE T Y OF AM ERI CA
BOARD OFFICERS
Calvin Fung, President
Robert Fung, 1st Vice President
Willard Chin, Secretary
Paul Fong, Treasurer
BOARD DIRECTORS
Donald Chan
Joyce M. Chan
Linda A. Cheu
Colleen Fong, Ph.D.
Frank Jang
Agnes Lam
Alexander Lock
Kenneth Louie
Galin Luk
William G. Roop
Connie Young Yu
Jeffery P. Woo, Esq., Legal Counsel
BOARD EMERITI
Him Mark Lai
Philip P. Choy
Annie Soo Spirit Award
he 20th anniversary of the seminal journal
winners Judy Yung,
Chinese America: History and Perspectives was at Ruthanne Lum McCunn,
the center of CHSA’s Annual Meeting & Volunteer
and Him Mark Lai with
CHSA Executive Director
Appreciation Luncheon on Saturday, January 20 at
Sue Lee and Board
the Empress of China. The newly renamed Annie
President Calvin Fung.
Soo Spirit Award, given to CHSA’s unsung volunPhoto by Donald Chu.
teers, was bestowed upon Ruthanne Lum McCunn, Judy Yung, and Him
Mark Lai for their years of work on the publication. Charlie Chin performed tongue-in-cheek poetry written to honor the three awardees.
This year’s Chinese America: History and Perspectives features the proceedings
from the October 2005 Chinese American Studies conference. If you have
not yet received yours, please contact the CHSA office at (415) 391-1188. e
T
FOUNDERS
Thomas W. Chinn
C.H. Kwock
Chingwah Lee
H.K. Wong
Thomas W.S. Wu, D.D.S.
STAFF
Sue Lee, Executive Director
Judy Hu, Communications Manager
Lianna Koehler, Weekend Supervisor
Marisa Louie, Exhibitions Coordinator
Anna Naruta, Ph.D., Director of
Collections
Russell Ow, Bookkeeper
Candace Tom, Operations Administrator
Charlie Chin, Artist-in-Residence
Honoring Alice Fong
F
riends, family, and
supporters feted
acclaimed artist Alice
Fong during a reception
celebrating her solo
exhibit, Alice Fong: A
Retrospective, at CHSA
on February 3. Presented
luminously in varying
media—from prints,
paintings, sculpture,
watercolors, oils, and
acrylics—Alice's collection celebrates nature,
family, and Chinese American cultural
traditions. It is on display in the Frank H.
Yick gallery now through summer 2007. e
CHSA BULLETIN
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Alice Fong’s grandsons, Alex
and Derek, the artist Alice
Fong, and daughter and
CHSA board member Colleen
Fong. Photo by Frank Jang.
Honoring Ling-chi Wang,
Quintessential Scholar-Activist
Reading with
William Poy Lee:
The Eighth Promise
May 18, 6-8 pm, CHSA Museum
L.
Ling-chi
Wang: The
Quintessential
Scholar-Activist, is
a commemorative
edition from
UCLA’s Amerasia Journal and the first
collection of essays from the former
Chair of UC Berkeley’s Department
of Ethnic Studies and Director of
Asian American Studies. Professor
Wang’s groundbreaking writings on
bilingual and higher education,
Chinatown politics, and U.S./China
relations have actively shaped the
domestic and global frameworks in
the field of Asian American Studies.
For the future, they will continue to
have great relevance to the relationship of Asian Americans to
American society and to Asia while
serving as essential readings for
educational research, transnational
studies, and historiography. e
Chinatown in Miniature
C
HSA is proud to present historical renderings by renowned
Hollywood set designer
and Chinatown native
Frank Wong. Through the
design and furnishing of
detailed miniature rooms,
Wong offers meaningful,
first-hand interpretations
of San Francisco Chinatown’s past and the lives of its people. Works on display include: scenes
from a Chinese laundry, a single occupancy room in the International
Hotel, and an herb store on Clay Street. Six miniatures are now permanently installed in the CHSA Wells Fargo Foundation Learning Center.
Please inquire at the front desk to see them. e
April 26, 7-8 pm
CHSA Learning Center
I
n The Eighth Promise, author
William Poy Lee provides a rare
glimpse of the Chinese-American
immigrant experience from a mother-son perspective. This affecting tale crisscrosses both time
and place from
his mother’s war
torn childhood in
China during the
1930s to the
housing projects
of San Francisco’s Chinatown to
the counterculture of North Beach
in the 1960s. Exuberant and
sprawling, The Eighth Promise is told
in two voices: the author’s own
and that of his mother. The mother’s perspective provides a sense
of tradition and culture as the
author becomes completely
American—only to realize that his
simple Toisan farmer mother has
been his greatest wisdom teacher.
It is a stunning tale of injustice, fortitude, survival, and ultimately
redemption. e
Red Envelopes:
Lai Si and Hong Bao Reception
A
rtist-in-Resident Charlie Chin rung in Lunar New
Year at CHSA for several dozen young children and
their parents on February 10. The attendees were treated to
storytelling, Chinese folktales, and a glimpse of Charlie's
Charlie Chin shows personal collection of vintage red
vintage red envelopes envelopes. Every child also received an
to young attendees.
Photo by Frank Jang authentic red envelope for good luck! e
MARCH APRIL 2007
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Miss Chinatown USA
Reception & Exhibit
PHOTOS
BY
FRANK
JANG
Miss Chinatown Then
& Now: Rose Chung,
Miss Chinatown 1981,
poses next to a shot of
her crowning glory.
Photo by Calvin Jeng.
Miss Chinatown USA
1958 June Gong Chin,
Miss Chinatown USA
2005 (and the currently
reigning Miss San
Francisco) Carol Chen,
and Miss Chinatown
1948 Penny Lee Wong.
Miss Chinatown USA escort
Benji Wong and 1969 contestant
Melanie Feng Kolda.
Jean Moon Liu, daughter of 1915
Chinatown Queen Rose Lew, and Rose
Lew’s granddaughter, Roxine Chow.
Felicia Lowe, Miss
Congeniality
1965, with the
beaded cheong
saam she wore on
parade night.
Cindy Hu and guest,
Darryl Higashi, and
Daniel and Vyolet
Chu dance to the
music of Da Castillo
Boys at the end of a
festive evening.
CHSA BULLETIN
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Miss Chinatown
USA 1971 Linda
Shen Lei, Miss
Chinatown USA
1958 June Gong
Chin, CHSA
member Sarah
Choy, Amy Tan,
1959 contestant
Patricia Hew
Lee, 1969
contestant Linda
Lew Woo, and
Rosalind Jeong.
1969 contestant Stephanie Lum Castor
points to herself in the exhibit.
Exhibit volunteer Carolyn Shek (2nd from left) and Miss
Chinatown USA 1994 Ivy Hsu, with friends.
A Very Piggy New Year!
appy Year of
the Boar! The
Lunar New Year
event sponsored by
PG&E at CHSA on
February 26, 2007
was a smashing success! Despite the
rain and hail, more
than 300 people
filled the museum,
enjoying wine &
hors d’eurves while
mingling the night away. Attendees included San Francisco Supervisors
Aaron Peskin and Ed Jew, District Attorney Kamala Harris, as well as friends
of PG&E, CHSA members, and community folks. e
H
MARCH APRIL 2007
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(left) Bill Lee, his wife
Carolyn, Mary Ellen
O’Brien, Doug Chan,
and Ditka Reiner ring
in the year.
(below) Greg Chew of
Dae Advertising with
CHSA’s Sue Lee.
Accessioned
Donations
October 12 to
December 4, 2006
SUBMITTED BY ANNA
NARUTA, DIRECTOR
OF COLLECTIONS
Dong Kingman fills San Francisco’s Chinatown with dragons in this
watercolor for a Pan Am Airlines menu. Gift of Alex Lock, 2006.59
Karen Jue Iovino, Calvin Jue &
Gail Garcia (via Frank Jang):
More than 600 photos by Harry
Jew, depicting the Miss Chinatown
Pageant, San Francisco Chinatown,
Angel Island, Locke, and
other historically significant
scenes.
Jon Jang appears on
The Ballad or the
Bullet? (1987,
AsianImprov Records).
Gift of Julian Low and
Elaine Joe, 2006.60.3
Alex Lock: Pan Am Airlines menu
featuring Dong Kingman watercolor
of San Francisco Chinatown New
Year’s parade, Grant and California.
Julian Low & Elaine Joe: Four
albums—Chris Iijima and Charlie
Chin, Back to Back (1982, East/West
WORLD Record); Jon Jang, Are You
Chinese or Charlie Chan? (1984, RPM
Francis Wong: Copy of Oct
23, 2006 Chicago Tribune
Records); Jon Jang, The Ballad or the
Bullet? (1987, AsianImprov
review of 11th annual Asian
American Jazz Festival Finale.
Records), inscribed to the donor;
Fred Houn, A Song for Manong—The
Anonymous: State of
soundtrack to Part 3 of Bamboo that
California certificate of
Snaps Back Featuring The Asian
incorporation for “Sai Gar
American Art Ensemble and Kulintang
Jeong Yee” Benevolent AssoArts (1988, AsianImprov Records)
ciation [Chung Yee
Him Mark Lai: Donor’s summary of
Association], dated August
interviews with members of and
22, 1907, headquartered at
research on the Jeong Yee
37 Spofford Alley, San
Association (Chung Yee
Francisco, in original frame.
Association), 37 Spofford Alley,
Connie Young Yu: Digital video
San Francisco, and the Garment
cassette copy of Jung Sai—Chinese
Workers Guild, Jinyihang (Gam Yee
Americans, Sanders & Mock
Hong), of San Francisco.
Productions, American Film
Foundation, 1977; DVD copy of
Connie Young Yu: San Francisco
Women Warriors, composed of
Examiner, May 10, 1969, page 15,
Making Up, Chonk Moonhunter
“The Golden Spike’s unsung
Productions, 1974, and The Year of
Heroes” by Connie Young Yu; Fall
the Ox: The 1973 Chinatown Livestock
1972 Bulletin of Concerned Asian
Show, 1985.
Scholars, Special Issue: Asian America;
CHSA BULLETIN
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Scan of Kem Lee photo of Cathay
Post American Veterans of the
Foreign Legion parade in San
Francisco Chinatown; Four postcards of the paintings at Kan’s
Restaurant painted by Jake Lee in
1963 to educate about and
celebrate Chinese American history
and culture; Postcard of rubbing of
poem carved into wall of detention
barracks at Angel Island
Immigration Station; Copy of 1948
Chinese Press article, “Chinese
Mourn Death of Historian William
J. Hoy;” Copy of East West July 11,
1967, pages 1-2; Bound volume of
Harper’s, December 1882–May 1883;
Exhibit catalog and brochure from
2005 and 2006 New York and
German gallery shows by Marlene
Tseng Yu; four black and white
photos, late 1910s–early 1920s
Chicago: Tuen Hip Wey Association
on first (1919) and third
anniversary; 1921 group portrait
outside Mon Sang & Co.
Paul Louie: Seattle Times
article of Nov 5, 2006, on
Wing Luke Asian
Museum’s salvageattentive renovation of
the East Kong Yick
building, where donor
grew up, in Seattle’s
Chinatown; Northwest
Asian Weekly article,
“[Seattle] Chinatown gate
project delayed.”
Anonymous: Hip Wo
Chinese School yearbook
and commemorative
album, 1924-1960.
Charlie Chin: Souvenir
Program for “Pear Garden
in the West,” June 14-17, 1984, The
First San Francisco Chinese
American Performing Arts Festival.
DONATION TO THE
TEACHING COLLECTION
With a photographic career spanning four
decades, Harry Jew captured images of historic
events, family and individual portraits, and
scenes of everyday community life. Harry Jew
Collection, Gift of Karen Jue Iovino, Calvin Jue,
and Gail Garcia, 2006.54.450
Judith Wilkes:
Sheet music Ching
Pioneering aviator
In Memory of Ruby Tom Joe: Copy
Chong (Chicago,
Tom Gunn’s 1912
of collection of newspaper
1917), music by
Aero Club License
clippings about Tom Gunn that
Lee S. Roberts,
list his residence,
includes both primary source and
358 Fifth Street,
words by J. Will
subsequent historical features, a
Oakland.
Callahan.
Anonymous Gift,
copy of Willie L. Nye’s biographical
2006.63
resume of Tom Gunn for a KRONTV project, 1971, a copy of the
Smithsonian Institution material
on Tom Gunn, 1989, and photo and
paperwork relating to 1973-1974
HSA is currently reorganizing its collections and is looking for
exhibit CHSA and CCF exhibit for
the following equipment:
which Tom Gunn items were
r Map drawers
borrowed from the family.
r Metal storage cabinets
Anonymous: Digital images of Tom
r High resolution flatbed scanner
Gunn collection items held by
r Fireproof filing cabinet
family members; including
r Camera tripod with swivel head
newspaper articles, photos, badges
r Photocopy machine with pdf scanning capability
and identification, and personal
Please contact Anna Naruta at (415) 391-1188, x103 or
remembrances of pioneering
[email protected] with inquiries about potential equipment
aviator and native San Franciscan
donations. Thank you! e
Tom Gunn, 1890-1925; authorized
for donation to CHSA.
Request for Donations
C
MARCH APRIL 2007
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Transitions
C
HSA welcomes Judy Hu on board as their
new Communications Manager. Her
responsibilities include media and public relations, community outreach, marketing, and
programming. Judy has worked the past few
years in public relations at a local, alternative
publishing house. She has also been actively
involved in the community with many local
groups and political campaigns. Beginning with
this issue, she is also the new editor of CHSA’s
Bulletin newsletter. Judy can be reached at (415)
391-1188, x107 or [email protected]. e
In Memorium
C
HSA notes the passing of Alice Lee, a
longtime member, volunteer, and supporter on January 6, 2007. We also honor the memory of Chaney N. Wong, the former Executive
Vice President of Trader Vic’s Restaurants, who
died on January 4, 2007. e
Visiting the Museum?
C
HSA can provide pre-arranged exhibit tours to
groups of 10 or more. Make reservations by
calling (415) 391-1188, x101 or by emailing
[email protected]. e
The CHSA Bulletin is published bi-monthly. To contribute articles
about Chinese American community and historical news and events,
please submit articles to [email protected].
Editor: Judy Hu || Design: Elaine Joe
Nonprofit Org.
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