INITIATIVES - The Missouri Historical Society CHinese american history initiative reaches 4 years.
It is Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, until some “others” determine it is not and then proclaim that we cannot speak about ourselves and our “own” heritage. Almost sounds like the Matal v. Tam (2017) Supreme Court Case.
Well, sorry, it is who I am, so let me highlight and celebrate the wonderful efforts that have been going on in The Lou (not to be confused with the “Loo”)
INITIATIVE: an introductory step or an act or strategy intended to resolve a difficulty or improve a situation; a fresh approach to something.
Nearly 8 years ago, a seed was planted.
4 years ago, it grew into a St. Louis Initiative.
On May 20, 2021, I had the honor to kick-off the presentation of the Missouri Historical Society’s St. Louis Chinese American Collecting Initiative (now the St. Louis Chinese American History Initiative). I serve as the volunteer Chair of the Chinese American Advisory Group.
The new, winning logo, designed by a St. Louis Chinese American high school student. Coincidentally, when the Chinese Community was organizing a new civil rights organization (OCA) in the 1970s, its logo was also the designs of a student, a Thai-Chinese American college student.
Why an Initiative and why one on the history of the Chinese Americans?
Well, it was clear that the MHS Collection about the Chinese in St. Louis was somewhat limited and mostly centered on an event in an era, 116 years ago. In other words, the MHS did not have much to represent the local community beyond the 1904 World’s Fair | Louisiana Purchase Exposition. A well-documented event. Other than some images of some restaurants, some family photos and oral histories, the MHS diverse but not a Collection. Oh, hopefully the Initiative would stop people from asking the same questions, “St. Louis had a Chinatown?”
Missouri Historical Society World’s Fair Collection, 1904
As it turns out, up to 2021, there was no one or few (from the local community) to help and inform MHS or to engage with the community. I needed to get involved and engaged.
· Community Engagement is so important and essential not only for this History Initiative but has been essential for society in general, through the Test of Time.
· Community Engagement prompts conversation, dialogue and the complexities that arise throughout history.
· Community Engagement promotes Initiatives.
The Initiative goal was simple. Strengthen the Collections and Bring More Stories to the Public.
Change Happens. History Changes.
This Initiative was not an introductory step about Chinese American History in St. Louis, for there have been many books or papers written, chronicling the history, such as those by the Missouri Historical Society and researchers like Dr. Huping Ling and the late C. Fred Blake.
Understanding history is not static and often the facts and details change as new discoveries are made. This is why understanding history is so important.
Through a dedicated, small, but mighty core of volunteer researchers comprised of Community Members, Academics and the everyday people, the Chinese American History Initiative has made discoveries in its short existence and mission to advocate and educate on the little known or lesser told History of the Chinese American in St. Louis (and beyond).
Here is a highlight of some of the Initiative discoveries:
Our understating of our Lost Chinatown continues to grow with new stories, new photos, new data and donated collections. It was once believed that Chinatown began in 1869, but with new local and national accounts and records we believe 1871 to be more accurate and that its downtown footprint was larger.
Asia Cafe / On Leong Association’s HQ (Photo, Wing Leong Family Collection)
There were early Food Entrepreneurs (farmers) who saw a need and supplied locally grown, Chinese vegetables for the local Chinese Restaurant community. One entrepreneur who was a military veteran, a Bronze Star Medal recipient, dabbled in hydroponics.
William Hong (Photo, from the William Hong Family)
There was a St. Louis Public School, physically still in existence, where 24 Nationalities were represented and supported, with a championship baseball team where the American Dream was met for a Chinese Boy who lived in Chinatown.
1928 Madison School Baseball Team (Photo, Missouri Historical Society)
Continuing on the work of the late, C. Fred Blake, with ongoing new discoveries and piecing together of the data, the importance of Valhalla Cemetery to the Chinese Community is further revealed, including many stories about Chinese individuals, families and leaders. Established in 1924 by local Chinese community leaders of On Leong Merchants & Laborers Association and Chung Wah Association, Valhalla is among the oldest operational Chinese cemeteries in the Midwest
2024 Centennial Celbration
The long history of Restaurant businesses as a foundation for Chinese Immigrants holds true for St. Louis, with stories about the business owners and their relationships with the community. Restaurant history is a microcosm of understanding the greater picture.
https://mohistory.org/blog/orient-restaurant
Jimmy Lee Shew (Photo, Ed Shew)
There were Chinese Military training at Scott Field (now Scott Air Force Base), in partnership with the U.S, the discovery of a secret China-U.S. training mission, a Chinese Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, and the dark side of Missouri’s Miscegenation Laws (1909) preventing whites from marrying “Mongolians.”
Larry and Shirley Kuo (Photo, Kuo Family)
The changing social political climate in the U.S in the 1970s would lead to the formation of the OCA, the Organization of Chinese Americans (now OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates), with St. Louis being a Founding Chapter.
Winning logo design by a St. Louis Thai-Chinese American college student
Many notable Chinese received their education and training in St. Louis and Missouri, including a ground breaking Journalist, early 1900s women students who would go on to achieve great accomplishments, the first Chinese American to head up a major US university.
https://mohistory.org/blog/chinese-alumni
Student Gathering, 1960 (Photo, Tao Family Collection)
Other Highlights and Discoveries:
· We discover that the purported 1st (and lone) Chinese to St. Louis in 1857, Alla Lee, was not alone, but that there was another man, John Ashoo.
· Identifying and creating a database of Chinese Businesses, from 1859 to the 1920s, is an ongoing effort. Nearly 900 entries is the current count!!
· The Missouri Historical Society | STL History Live: Initiative Kick-Off Presentation, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgkVNimWiuo
Why an INITIATIVE?
Because it resonates with people. Due to the work that the MHS St. Louis Chinese American History Initiative has now been shared to the public and widely disseminated, people from around the country have now reached out to the Initiative to seek help, as well as to offer new insights.
Now, that is why Initiatives matter.
Missouri Historical Society St. Louis Chinese American History Initiative
https://mohistory.org/collecting-initiatives/chinese-american
