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Chinese Historical Society of Southern California
411 Bernard St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Hours: Sunday, noon to 4:30 p.m.
Telephone: (323) 222-0856
Web: http://www.chssc.org
E-mail: chssc@earthlink.net
The Chinese Historical Society of Southern California was founded in
1975 to explore and preserve Chinese-American history. In 1995, the society
moved to its present home in two small Victorian houses on the northern
edge of New Chinatown.
The society’s focus is on the collection and preservation of information
and artifacts relating to the Chinese in Southern California, and on
sharing this knowledge with its members and the public through a variety
of publications, exhibits at the cottages on Bernard Street, and programs
at various locations.
The society’s research holdings focus on Southern California Chinese-American
history. These include a small collection of books, many of which can
be found in public libraries, a large number of oral-history interview
transcriptions, and photographs of old Chinatown and China City. The
archive also contains a number of original documents. The society has
published a number of books based on their oral-history interviews. They
also have many family photographs and documents of the Philip Fritz family,
who were the builders and occupants of the two houses from the 1880s
until 1992.
Society publications include:
- “Bridging the Centuries: History of Chinese Americans in Southern
California,” Susie Ling, editor. This collection of contemporary
and historical accounts of the lives of Chinese-Americans in Southern
California from the mid-1800s to recent arrivals from Southeast Asia
and profiles of Chinese communities from Santa Barbara to Mexicali
would be especially useful to a beginner in Chinese family history
in this area.
- “Origins and Destinations” is a collection of 41 essays
on the Chinese-American experience; the essays were originally presented
at a national conference exploring various facets of the Chinese-American
experience from performing arts to education to entrepreneurship and
more.
- “Linking Our Lives; Chinese-American Women of Los Angeles,” by
eight women scholars who trace the changing role of Chinese American
women from the early settlement to World War II.
- “Duty & Honor” is a collection of biographies and
photos of Chinese-American World War II veterans (men and women) based
on oral histories and information supplied by families. A second volume
is planned.
- “California’s Chinese Heritage, a legacy of places,” by
Thomas A. McDannold, provides a county-by-county history and geography
of sites that have been significant to the Chinese from the mid-1800s
to the present.
- “Down by the Station; Los Angeles Chinatown 1880-1933.” by
Roberta S. Greenwood, provides insight into the cultural life of the
community through detailed analysis and historic photographs supporting
a major archaeological excavation in Los Angeles’ Old Chinatown.
- “The Lonely Queue, the forgotten history of the courageous Chinese-Americans
in Los Angeles,” by Icy Smith, documents the 150-year history
of the Chinese Americans in the Greater Los Angeles area and features
many vintage photographs and personal memories.
- Since the society is a volunteer organization, it is a good idea
to call ahead if you plan to do research and need access to documents.
The society’s publications are available for purchase at the
center.
© Beverly Mateer Taylor. Used with permission.
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