On December 16, 2024, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the designations of 19 new National Historic Landmarks (NHLs), reflecting the importance of the sites in sharing America’s diverse history. The announcement included the Summit Camp in California as one of the sites designated as a National Historic Landmark:

Summit Camp (Placer and Nevada Cos., Calif.) is the archeological remains of the largest and longest occupied Chinese railroad construction camp on the transcontinental railroad (1865-1869). It is also an influential “type site” in the emergence of Chinese diaspora studies in the field of historical archaeology in the mid-20th century.

Congratulations to CHCP's Student Docent Cultural Ambassador Program (SDCAP) for their successful yearlong Sierra Summit Tunnels Site letter-writing campaign to preserve this important site. SDCAP collected nearly 400 letters, mailing to 14 California legislators and the Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American and NHPI Senior Liaison at the White House. In December 2024, a cover letter with 200 individual letters of support were sent to the NHL Committee for their final review meeting that month.

Included in congratulations are: CHCP Director/SDCAP Chair Brenda Hee Wong and CHCP Advisory Board Member Teddy Sue, leads of the letter-writing campaign. Brenda and Teddy gratefully thank the many members and friends of CHCP who participated and shared their empathy for recognition of a legacy and tribute to the Chinese Railroad Workers in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.