May 9, 2024

Welcome to America's Chinatowns: The Advocates

Take a Closer Look at Seven Stories from the Google Arts & Culture Storytelling Hub

From their community gathering places and family-run businesses, to their homes and centers of inspiration, Chinatowns are an essential part of the American story. Today, across the United States there are people and organizations working to sustain these communities.

To draw attention to their history, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has partnered with Google Arts & Culture to launch a storytelling hub as part of its America’s Chinatowns initiative. “Welcome to America’s Chinatowns" was developed in collaboration with 14 organizations, and eight individual artists and creators. Together, they have created a portal of 70 stories that center and elevate the work of communities, grassroots advocates, and institutions supporting Chinatowns across the country.

The community members and advocacy groups advocating for Chinatowns are woven throughout "Welcome to America's Chinatown." The communities featured are not exhaustive, however they represent the range of Chinatowns in the United States. Hear directly from community development corporations, media and arts collectives, and individuals who are on the ground working for these important neighborhoods.

The stories featured below are just a a few of the voices advocating for America's Chinatowns. Explore the full collection to learn about Chinatowns from Hawaiʻi to Boston and beyond.

Advocating for Philadelphia's Chinatown

Riverside's Chinatown Archaeological Site

The Collective Memories of Hanford California's China Alley

Supporting Boston's Chinatown

Exploring the History of San Francisco’s Chinatown & Reinvigorating San Francisco’s Chinatown

The Accidental Voice for Chinatowns: Grace Young

Explore the full storytelling hub on Google Arts & Culture which highlights over 15 Chinatowns across the United States (and one in Canada).

While her day job is the associate director of content at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Priya spends other waking moments musing, writing, and learning about how the public engages and embraces history.

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