Chinese Historical & Cultural Project upcoming events

CHCP Contest: Civil Rights & the Asian American Experience (EXTENDED thru Aug 31) (May 01, 2026)

Fri, 01 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Reflections on Civil Rights & the Asian American Experience
at the United States' Semiquincentennial

In 2026, the United States marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As we celebrate this historical moment, the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP) invites you to explore Asian American history, and connect it to the present. Showcase your creativity and enter the contest. Youth participants may win a cash prize of up to $500. See Who Can Participate for prize details. Winning projects will be featured on the CHCP website and displayed in public exhibitions.

What Should You Create?

Submit an original poem, artwork, or video that:

Connects a historical event of a civil rights issue involving Asian Americans, and
Explain why that history matters today.

Sample topics include, but are not limited to:

The Chinese Exclusion Act and immigration rights
World War II mass removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans
Vietnamese settlement
Birthright citizenship and the 14th Amendment
School segregation and educational access
Labor rights
Asian American activism during the Civil Rights Movement
Local civil rights struggles in your own community

You are encouraged to use primary sources, family stories, or local history where possible. Participants are responsible for obtaining all rights, licenses, and permissions for any third party content in their submissions.

Who Can Participate?

All California residents, including CHCP members, are welcome to participate. Submissions will be judged in two (2) divisions:

Youth (grades 6-12 for the 2026-2027 school year, including incoming 6th grader)
Adults

The youth group will have cash awards for first ($500), second ($350), and third ($250) prize, and up to three (3) honorable mentions, selected by a judging panel. PLUS: a $10 Boba Guys or Teaspoons gift card will be randomly selected for 10 of the early submissions in the youth division through July 4.

The adult group will have three (3) People’s Choice Awards. Voting will open after the submission deadline. Please check the CHCP website for updates on when voting begins.

Submission Formats

We welcome diverse forms of artistic expression (individually referred to as “work” and collectively, “works”) in the forms of:

Short video, film, or documentary, including multimedia storytelling
Original artwork, including photography, digital art, and graphic art
Poetry

Accepted submission formats are: MOV/MP4, high-resolution JPEG/PNG/TIFF, and PDF.

Poetry submissions are limited to 500 words. Video, films, and performances should be under 3 minutes.

All submissions must include a brief artistic statement (up to 150 words) describing:

The historical issue addressed
Why it is a civil rights issue
Why it matters in 2026
Other relevant information, including MLA style citations

Other Rules

Only one entry per participant.
Participants must submit works that are theirs and theirs only. Submissions of AI-generated content as original creative works are not permitted and will result in disqualification.
Your submission must not depict any recognizable person for whom you have not received permission to enter such person in the contest and must not infringe upon the publicity rights of any third party. You must receive the requisite permission/consent to use the video/photo from anyone who has any rights to the video/photo.
By entering, participants grant CHCP rights to showcase and distribute works across various media platforms.
If your entry is selected as a winner, you grant CHCP a royalty-free, non-exclusive right, in perpetuity, to:
- Use the poem, artwork, or video in its internal and external communications with attribution, including, but not limited to, website, advertising, presentations, and printed and digital materials.
- Use, in connection with the contest, the participant’s name and city of residence.
- Retain a digital copy of the submission.
Entries must not include trademarked or copyrighted material.
Winners will be announced in late September and recognized at an in-person Award Ceremony. Please check the CHCP website for further upcoming details. We welcome all participants to attend the event in person.

Judging

Youth Division: All categories of submissions will be judged by the same jurors based on relevant content and historical accuracy (40%), creativity (30%), and production/technical skills (30%).
Adult Division: Voting will be open to the public for People's Choice. Please check the CHCP website for details sometime after the submission deadline.

For Questions: Please email Contest2026@chcp.org.

Submission Deadline: Extended to August 31, 2026, 6 pm PDT

SUBMIT ENTRY

MFM Exhibit: "WWI: America in the Great War" (thru Oct 3) (May 01, 2026)

Fri, 01 May 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Step into the trenches of World War I and experience life at the front in Moffett Field Museum (MFM)’s most immersive exhibit yet.

Walk in the footsteps of a First World War soldier and discover how the Great War reshaped the modern world through unprecedented industrial warfare, global alliances, and rapid technological change. The United States entered the conflict in April 1917, joining Allied forces on the Western Front, and the war came to an end on November 11, 1918—forever altering technology, aviation, military strategy, and international relations.

This exhibit brings that history to life through a fully immersive walk-through trench, placing visitors in the environment faced by soldiers on the front lines. Surrounded by authentic artifacts, rare World War I vehicles, and a striking biplane, guests gain a deeper understanding of the realities of trench warfare and the innovation born from the conflict. This exhibit honors those who served and invites visitors of all ages to engage with the experiences and history of World War I.

MORE INFO & TICKETS

ATTENTION: To access Moffett Field, all visitors (18+) must present either:

A REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card, or
A valid passport

This is in accordance with federal law and is required to board domestic flights and to enter secure federal facilities and military installations.

WANTED: Comments for National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture (thru July 31) (July 01, 2026)

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Established by the 117th Congress, the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture is charged with delivering to the President and Congress a comprehensive plan of action that will lay the groundwork for Congressional authorization of a museum in Washington, D.C., dedicated to honoring the achievements, progress, and lasting impact of Asian Pacific Americans.

The Commission is seeking public input on what a future national Asian Pacific American museum could look like. Share your perspective and ideas by submitting a comment by July 31.

SUBMIT COMMENT

To learn more about the Commission’s work, visit nationalapamuseum.org or contact commission@nationalapamuseum.org.

You can also join the Commission for a community-wide virtual session on July 14 to learn more about the Commission’s work and the process to create a future national museum dedicated to Asian Pacific American history and culture.

Seminar: Unlock Your Ancestors' Military Records (thru Nov 8) (July 27, 2026)

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Various Bay Area libraries will be hosting a FREE seminar on the subject: Unlock Your Ancestors' Military Records.

Location/Date/Time

Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Rd, Los Altos, Friday, July 10, 1 – 3 PM
Saratoga Library, 13650 Saratoga Ave, Saratoga, Sunday, July 12, 2 – 4 PM
Morgan Hill Library, 660 W Main Ave, Morgan Hill, Tuesday, July 14, 4 – 6 PM
Cupertino Library, 10800 Torre Ave, Cupertino, Thursday, July 23, 1 – 3 PM (RESCHEDULED: from July 18)
Milpitas Library, 160 North Main St, Milpitas, Saturday, July 25, 1 – 3 PM
Gilroy Library, 350 W. Sixth St, Gilroy, Monday, July 27, 2 – 4 PM
Castro Valley Library, 3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley, Sunday, November 8, 2 – 4 PM

What you will learn

Access military records from major archives and databases
Interpret DD-214s, draft cards, and service records
Use census and muster rolls to trace service
Create storytelling from veteran oral histories and personal accounts
Create and share a meaningful memorial page

Session Abstract

Unlock Your Ancestors’ Military Records: Critical documents, resources, and techniques to create military service stories. Discover the hidden stories of veterans in your family. This seminar shows how U.S. military records can enrich genealogy research by revealing an ancestor’s life, service, and character. Learn step-by-step methods to access records from the National Archives, FamilySearch, fold3, and online resources. Explore how to interpret DD-214 forms, locate draft registrations, use census and muster records to trace service and deployments. Hear veteran oral histories that bring records to life with personal context. Participants will learn to create a lasting memorial page honoring service.

About The Speaker: Ron Chan

Ron is a seasoned lecturer on family history documentation best practices, captivating audiences worldwide at genealogy workshops and libraries across the San Francisco Bay Area. As a published genealogy author, he has a passion for storytelling and teaches innovative technologies to bring ancestral tales to life. Ron is the Founder and Executive Director of the Bay Area Chinese Genealogy Group, dedicated to preserving ancestral stories. He is also a Co-Founder of the Chinese American GI Project, ensuring that veterans’ legacies are not lost, forgotten, or ignored. As a CHCP Advisory Board Member, Ron is a contributor to CHCP's Oral History Project. Ron shares with you how to capture and share family struggles of the past so future generations can embrace, remember, and learn from those who came before.

CAH Museum Open for Welcome in Wednesdays (thru Aug 26) (July 29, 2026)

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Looking for something fun and free to do midweek? Come explore Welcome in Wednesdays at History Park from 12:00 to 4:00 pm.

The Chinese American Historical Museum (CAHM) will be open from 12:00 to 3:45 pm on the following Wednesdays:

July 1
July 8
July 15
July 22
July 29
Aug 5
Aug 12
Aug 19
Aug 26

The Museum is housed in the Ng Shing Gung building, which is part of History Park, located in Kelley Park, San Jose.

Admission: Free

For more information (including parking, directions, slideshow, and virtual tour): visit our Museum page.

AIISF Gateways in Dialogue: From Newcomers to National Treasures (July 30, 2026)

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Join the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation (AIISF) on Zoom on July 30 for the seventh event in their ongoing collaborative series with the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation. What happened once immigrants left these islands? Where did they go? What did they do? Would I know one of them?

Stephen Lean, Director of the American Family Immigration History Center, and Danielle Wetmore, Director of Education at Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, will cover these questions and personal stories of staff personnel over the course of a 1-hour presentation. They’ll even answer questions you might have in an audience Q&A after the presentation.

They welcome new participants who did not attend previous sessions of the series. If you’re curious about what was covered then, you can watch the recorded sessions on YouTube here.

CHCP Celebrates Spirit of '45: Living History Day (August 01, 2026)

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 21:00:00 GMT

CHCP has a special program for History San Jose's Spirit of '45: Living History Day at History Park!

Please join us for videos and talks on August 1st from 2:00 - 6:00 PM at the Chinese American Historical Museum (CAHM):

Time	Activity	Location
2:00 - 6:00	Shortened versions of two videos will be shown continuously: *Our Story of War and Remembrance: Chinese American WWII Veterans of the China-Burma-India Theatre* Stories of four Chinese American WWII veterans of the San Francisco Bay Area are featured in a moving documentary of patriotism as they served to defend the America that had denied them rights under the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Documentary produced by CHCP's Student Docent Cultural Ambassador Program (SDCAP). *More than a Medal* Documentary of George S. Robb Centre's Valor Medals Review Project, researching minority veterans from WWI who, in spite of valorous deeds, were unjustly denied awards due to race or religion. Documentary includes the San Jose/Saratoga native and decorated Chinese American WWI Veteran, Lau Sing Kee (aka Sing Lau Kee).	CAHM, 2nd Floor
3:45 - 4:15 & 4:30 - 5:00	Reflections on WWI Hero Lau Sing Kee By Steven Hong (Lynbrook High School, Class of 2026/UC San Diego Fall 2026 student) and Brenda Hee Wong (CHCP Board Member) to include: WWI soldier's story (with soldier's uniform) Post-WWI story Family photos Personal association with Lau Sing Kee Commemorative medals of WWI New York Centennial Celebration 2018	CAHM, 2nd Floor

Time

Activity

Location

2:00 - 6:00

Shortened versions of two videos will be shown continuously:

Our Story of War and Remembrance: Chinese American WWII Veterans of the China-Burma-India Theatre
Stories of four Chinese American WWII veterans of the San Francisco Bay Area are featured in a moving documentary of patriotism as they served to defend the America that had denied them rights under the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Documentary produced by CHCP's Student Docent Cultural Ambassador Program (SDCAP).

More than a Medal
Documentary of George S. Robb Centre's Valor Medals Review Project, researching minority veterans from WWI who, in spite of valorous deeds, were unjustly denied awards due to race or religion. Documentary includes the San Jose/Saratoga native and decorated Chinese American WWI Veteran, Lau Sing Kee (aka Sing Lau Kee).

CAHM, 2nd Floor

3:45 - 4:15

4:30 - 5:00

Reflections on WWI Hero Lau Sing Kee

By Steven Hong (Lynbrook High School, Class of 2026/UC San Diego Fall 2026 student) and Brenda Hee Wong (CHCP Board Member) to include:

WWI soldier's story (with soldier's uniform)
Post-WWI story
Family photos
Personal association with Lau Sing Kee
Commemorative medals of WWI New York Centennial Celebration 2018

CAHM, 2nd Floor

Also this is the last chance to view CHCP's Local Heroes: Chinese Americans in WWII Exhibit!

ADMISSION: While this CHCP event is free, you must pay for admission to History Park for Living History Day. Tickets can be purchased here.

For parking and directions: visit our Museum page.

C100 Webinar: The Impact of AI on Asian American Careers in Technology (August 05, 2026)

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Join the Committee of 100 (C100) on August 5th at 3:00 PM PT (6:00 PM ET) for an Asian American Career Ceilings Initiative event, featuring a panel on "The Impact of AI on Asian American Careers in Technology" featuring Buck Gee, Executive Advisor, Ascend and Deb Liu, former CEO of Ancestry.com.

With the rapid advancement and implementation of AI in industry and society, one of the issues on the minds of everyone is what the impact will be of AI on careers and, in particular, for careers in technology and for Asian Americans. Where will jobs be lost and will there be job creation? Will the nature of job tasks change and in what way? Will this affect the way one plans your career? Will AI make Asian American Career Ceilings worse or just different?

Our panelists are veterans in the technology industry and have either just recently left the industry or have done extensive research work related to Asian American careers in industry. They will use their experience and knowledge to shed light on this challenging topic.

Peter Young, Committee of 100 Board Member and New York Regional Chair, and Chair of the Asian American Career Ceilings Initiative, will moderate.

After the conclusion of the fireside chat, there will be a Q&A session during which members of the audience may ask questions. There is no fee for the webcast.

CFHG Webinar: "Images of America: Chinese in Tehama County" (August 08, 2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Join the Chinese Family History Group (CFHG) for a webinar on "Images of America: Chinese in Tehama County" with Jessica Chew.

During the California Gold Rush, Red Bluff emerged as one of Northern California's most important transportation hubs. Called the “head of navigation” on the Sacramento River, travelers, merchants, miners, loggers, and agricultural workers journeyed here and continued north in California, seeking their fortunes. Chinese immigrants established a thriving Chinatown that served as a center of economic development providing lodging for seasonal workers, employment opportunities, banking, and correspondence services that linked laborers to their families in China.

Jessica will share insights from her research into her family history, uncovering historical records, newspaper archives, family photographs and recording oral history interviews. She will describe how forgotten family stories were pieced together to illustrate the history of Red Bluff’s Chinatown. Her presentation will demonstrate how genealogy research can help bring forgotten communities back to life, preserve stories before they are lost, and reconnect families with a shared heritage spanning more than 150 years.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Jessica Chew is the founder of the Helen and Joe Chew Foundation in Red Bluff and the only grandchild of Joe You Chew, a Chinese American born in Red Bluff, California’s Historic Chinatown in 1921. As a sixth-generation Chinese American whose family immigrated to America in 1865 as herbalist’s physicians, Jessica is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Red Bluff’s Chinatown and its importance as the last steamboat stop on the Sacramento River during the Gold Rush.

CAH Museum Open (August 08, 2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 19:00:00 GMT

The Chinese American Historical Museum (CAHM) is housed in the Ng Shing Gung building, which is part of History Park, located in Kelley Park, San Jose.

Admission: Free

For more information (including parking, directions, slideshow, and virtual tour): visit our Museum page.

CAH Museum Open (August 15, 2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 19:00:00 GMT

The Chinese American Historical Museum (CAHM) is housed in the Ng Shing Gung building, which is part of History Park, located in Kelley Park, San Jose.

Admission: Free

For more information (including parking, directions, slideshow, and virtual tour): visit our Museum page.

CHSA Discussion: Echoes Across the Ocean (August 16, 2026)

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Most histories focus only on the arrival of immigrants in the West. But the Chinese diaspora was a continuous circle of cultural exchange. Our ancestors deeply influenced the communities they adopted, while simultaneously transforming their ancestral homelands in Southern China.

Join the Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA) for a profound exploration with Dr. Selia Tan, world renowned expert on overseas Chinese history, cultural conservation and root-searching, based in Guangdong, China. This presentation addresses the transnational history of Chinese emigration from the Taishan and Kaiping districts and her experiences in assisting overseas Chinese with genealogical research.

This program includes a Q&A session.

Tickets are $15 and includes a complimentary lunch buffet.

BUY TICKETS

Stanford Archaeology Symposium: The Cangdong Village Project (August 21, 2026)

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 22:30:00 GMT

CHCP Outreach @ Kids Fun Festival (August 22, 2026)

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Join the Taiwanese Culture & Sports Association (TCSA) at their annual Kids Fun Festival on August 22nd at Cupertino Memorial Park.

Experience cultural performances, international food, family-friendly activities, games, and over 120 booths (including CHCP) celebrating the rich diversity of the Bay Area.

CAH Museum Open (during SJ Poetry Festival) (August 22, 2026)

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 19:00:00 GMT

The Chinese American Historical Museum (CAHM) is housed in the Ng Shing Gung building, which is part of History Park, located in Kelley Park, San Jose.

The Museum will be open from 12:00 to 3:45 pm on Saturday August 22 during the San Jose Poetry Festival. The San Jose Poetry Festival will be held from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm at History Park.

ADMISSION: Museum is free. Information for the San Jose Poetry Festival can be found here.

For more Museum information (including parking, directions, slideshow, and virtual tour): visit our Museum page.

CAH Museum Open (during Chicano Soul Fest) (August 29, 2026)

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 19:00:00 GMT

The Chinese American Historical Museum (CAHM) is housed in the Ng Shing Gung building, which is part of History Park, located in Kelley Park, San Jose.

The Museum will be open from 12:00 to 3:45 pm on Saturday August 29 during the Chicano Soul Fest. The Chicano Soul Fest will be held from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm at History Park.

Chicano Soul Fest is a cultural event preserving San Jose roots featuring cultural performances, live art, music, vendors, and much more!

ADMISSION: While the Museum is free, you must pay for admission to History Park for the Chicano Soul Fest. Information and tickets can be found here.

For more Museum information (including parking, directions, slideshow, and virtual tour): visit our Museum page.

CHCP Doors Open Tour: Gilded Altars and Lost Chinatowns of San Jose (September 05, 2026)

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 17:30:00 GMT

This September, the California Preservation Foundation presents the 4th annual Doors Open California, the largest statewide celebration of historic places in California offering exclusive, behind- the-scenes access to historic and culturally significant places across the Golden State, with special tours, talks, and once-a-year experiences designed to connect the public with California’s layered history. Enthusiasts of historic architecture, design, and cultural heritage will have access to over 70 sites across the state on the weekends during the month of September 2026. Registration is a flat fee of $20 per person to access all sites (children and students are free).

This year, CHCP's Chinese American Historical Museum (CAHM) at History Park in San Jose will be one of the featured sites of Doors Open California:

On September 5 at History Park, Doors Open registrants will receive a special presentation, Gilded Altars and Lost Chinatowns of San Jose, at 10:30 am in the Renzel Room inside the Pacific Hotel. The presentation will be followed by a private museum tour of the Chinese American Historical Museum, a replica of the late nineteenth-century Ng Shing Gung temple. Highlights include artifacts from five former San Jose Chinatowns and the original 1888 gilded altar—one of the most extraordinary surviving Chinese temple altars presented in the United States.

For CAH Museum information (including parking, directions, slideshow, and virtual tour): visit our Museum page.

For Doors Open schedule and to register:

SCHEDULE & REGISTRATION

OCA San Mateo Gala honors CHCP (Early Bird Discount Available) (September 12, 2026)

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Join the OCA (Organization of Chinese Americans) San Mateo Chapter for their 2026 Asian American Achievement Awards and Fundraising Dinner Gala.

This year, they will be honoring Dr. Gordon Chang, Dion Lim, Alyson Suzuki and the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP) with Achievement Awards.

RSVP before Aug 12 for Early Bird pricing, and by Aug 31 for regular pricing.

RSVP HERE

Seminar: "China Roots: How to Trace Your Family History" (thru Sept 20) (September 20, 2026)

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Various Bay Area libraries will be hosting a FREE seminar on the subject of China Roots: How to Trace Your Family History.

Location/Date/Time

CANCELLED FOR MOTHERS DAY: Castro Valley Library, 3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley, May 10, Sunday, 2 – 4 PM
Mid-Continent Public Library, Online (via Zoom), May 11, Monday, 12 - 2 PM, REGISTER HERE for Zoom Session
Redwood Shores Branch Library, 399 Marine Parkway, Redwood City, May 16, Saturday, 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Mountain View Library, 585 Franklin St, Mountain View, May 23, Saturday, 2 – 4 PM
San Mateo Library, 55 W 3rd Ave, San Mateo, June 13, Saturday, 1 - 3 PM
CANCELLED: Santa Clara Public Library, 2635 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara, June 13, Saturday 1 - 3 PM
Castro Valley Library, 3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley, Sept 20, Sunday, 2 – 4 PM

What you will learn

Research tools and resources to discover your China roots
Oral histories of a Chinese American family’s struggles
How 150 generations of family genealogy was found
ChiAm checklist of online, live and local genealogy groups
Interviews from Angel Island Immigration National Archives
Experience a visit to a Chinese ancestral village

Abstract

This multimedia session offers key resources to help you find and explore your China roots and access Chinese American research tools. Showcased are the struggles and assimilation of a Chinese American immigrant family through oral histories of hardship, poverty, segregation, discrimination, and a city’s formal apology—80 years in the making—come to life. Unsure of where your ancestral village is in China and how to find your jiapu (ancestral lineage book)? Learn how 150 generations of family genealogy was documented in China. You’ll receive a checklist of research resources – where to ask live and virtual questions, and details on attending a paid three-day Chinese American Genealogy Conference or joining the free Bay Area Chinese Genealogy Group. Can’t read Chinese? No problem using a Chinese-to-English translation tool. Discover how the National Archives in San Bruno can help uncover your Chinese ancestors’ interviews at the Angel Island Immigration Station, where 175,000 Chinese immigrants entered the U.S. between 1910 and 1940.

About The Speaker: Ron Chan