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 support and 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.

Amidst the stories produced for this hub are a series of pieces on writers—individuals who through plays, non-fiction memoir, and fictional narratives share the ways America’s Chinatowns are also homes to families and neighbors, individuals and organizations, all of whom called these neighborhoods home.

Hear from Lisa See, Jamie Ford, Ava Chin, and Lauren Yee about how their deep personal connections to Chinatowns serve not only as an inspiration, but also manifest in both the fictional and non-fictional narratives they share with the world.

Lisa See: "Once it's Gone, it's Gone Forever."

Visualizing Chinatown on Stage (Lauren Yee)

Jamie Ford on Chinatowns as "The Home of Their Heart"

Ava Chin: "I was really looking for our stories."

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