Chinese Historical and Cultural Project co-founder Gerrye Wong and Paul Gee, a pioneering Napa Valley winemaker, model Imperial Mandarin robes from the collection of Nathan Louie at the CHCP’s 35th anniversary celebration on Sept. 17, 2022 in San Jose. (Joanne Chan/Chinese Historical and Cultural Project)

The following is an excerpt from the 09/23/22 San Jose Mercury News:

By Sal Pizarro, Bay Area News Group

The Chinese Historical and Cultural Project got its start when San Jose city officials contacted leaders in the Chinese community after artifacts from a 19th century Chinatown were found during construction of the Fairmont Hotel in 1986. Last Saturday, the group was back in downtown San Jose to celebrate its 35th anniversary with a crowd of 650 people at the Marriott hotel.

Gerrye Wong, co-founder and a trustee of the group, introduced the event’s honorees: Buck Gee, brothers Arthur and Daniel Jue, Patrick Kwok, Michael Chan, Chenming and Margaret Hu, and the Bay Area Chrysanthemum Growers Association.

“This was the first opportunity for the Chinese community to join together during COVID times to support the 35 years of service the CHCP has done to spread Chinese American history to the valley” said Wong, joined by co-chair Debbie Gong-Guy. Assemblyman Evan Low brought a state proclamation and Dr. Paul Gee presented the event chairs with bottles from his private collection of Bouchaine wine from his 100-year-old Napa Valley vineyard.

The event was highlighted by a showcase of Chinese fashions, including ornate Mandarin robes, from the collections of Nathan Louie and Sunny Chen, with 30 models representing various organizations including Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, Silicon Valley Lions Club and CATS. And the auction got lively with emcee Dion Lim and former U.S. Rep. Mike Honda vying for dinners hosted by celebrity chef Martin Yan and a visit to the famous “Flintstone House” in Hillsborough going to eager bidder Eleanor Yick.