CHSA is proud to share its special collections of Chinese American art and artifacts with the general public. Find out more about our collections, which can be viewed at the museum.
Collection
History Pin
CHSA began a project of digitizing our photography collection and posting it online to History Pin, thanks to our faithful volunteer, Nancy Fong. History Pin is a global history project that allows you to compare historic photos to their modern day locations. While allowing you to explore the early days of Chinatown, this site also lets you see how the neighborhood changes and redevelops. Please check back often for new photos are regularly added.
Kublai Khan Collection
Kublai Khan was a nightclub founded by Eddie Pond in the 1940s featuring all-Chinese and sometimes Asian cast members singing and dancing to the popular music of the time. These performers shattered traditional stereotypes of the Chinese American community while demonstrating their participation in mainstream society and popular culture with artistic creativity and dynamic performances. Jadin Wong, Jack Mei Ling, and Frances Chun Kan are just a few of the entertainers that have performed at the Kublai Khan presenting an all-American entertainment package.
The Jake Lee Project
Opening February 12, 2011 Finding Jake Lee: The Paintings at Kan's Sign up for CHSA's mailing list to receive updates about CHSA's new exhibition! The Chinese Historical Society of America recently rediscovered eight watercolor paintings by renowned Chinese-American artist Jake Lee. Jake Lee (1911–1991) was born in Guangzhou, China and grew up in Monterey, California. Lee studied at San Jose State College and Otis Art Institute and had a prolific career as a commercial artist and an art teacher. In 1959, Johnny Kan, owner of the landmark Kan’s Restaurant in Chinatown, commissioned a series of twelve paintings by Jake Lee. Each painting showcases specific aspects and milestones in early Chinese American history. These paintings were displayed for many years in the private [...]
“One Hundred Years’ History of the Chinese in America” – mural by James Leong
On permanent display in the CHSA Wells Fargo Learning Center is an historic mural by James Leong, "One Hundred Years' History of the Chinese in America." James Leong was born in 1929 in San Francisco Chinatown. His work as reporter and ad salesman for the Chinese Press put him on the radar of Chinatown businessmen, who commissioned him to paint this mural for the newly built Ping Yuen Housing Projects. The mural was met with stiff criticism by the community for its depiction of the history of Chinese in America. Hurt by this backlash and feeling stifled by an overstimulating Beat-era North Beach art scene, Leong sought opportunities to work and paint elsewhere. Following his graduation from the California College of Arts and Crafts, he received a Fulbright Fellowship to live and [...]
Chinatown Miniatures Collection
The Chinatown Miniatures Collection was acquired by CHSA in 2004, as a donation from the artist, Frank Wong. This donation consisted of seven miniatures of scenes of Chinatown. Six of the miniatures (“Kitchen”, “Shoeshine Stand”, “Chinese New Year”, “Chinese Laundry”, “Christmas Scene”, and “Single Room Occupancy”) are on permanent display in the CHSA Wells Fargo Learning Center. The seventh miniature, "Herb Store" is on display in CHSA's Main Gallery. Born and raised in Chinatown, Frank Wong attended Galileo High School and became a set designer for numerous movies and plays in Hollywood. One of his most famous jobs was for “Magnum PI”. Through his career he spent much of his time working in Hawaii. Now retired and back in Chinatown, he lives on Commercial [...]