Chinese Historical Society of Southern California
Encyclopedia
Chinese Historical Society of Southern California (CHSSC) is located in Los Angeles Chinatown
, at 415 Bernard Street. Its Chinatown Heritage & Visitors Center is open to the public. It was started by Paul Louie, William Mason, and Paul De Falla, with the organizing meeting held at Cathay Bank
on November 1, 1975.
Its mission, as stated on its website, is as follows:
CHSSC is one of the most active historical societies in Southern California
. There are monthly meetings, field trips, archive and library collections, oral history projects, scholarships, and publications.
Chinatown, Los Angeles
Chinatown in Los Angeles, California is located in the city's downtown area. Built in 1938, it is the second Chinatown to be constructed in Los Angeles. The original historic Chinatown was founded in the late 19th century, but was demolished to make room for Union Station, the city's major rail...
, at 415 Bernard Street. Its Chinatown Heritage & Visitors Center is open to the public. It was started by Paul Louie, William Mason, and Paul De Falla, with the organizing meeting held at Cathay Bank
Cathay Bank
Cathay Bank is a Chinese American bank based in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1962, it has since expanded its network throughout California and into Massachusetts, New York, Texas, Washington, Illinois, and New Jersey...
on November 1, 1975.
- To bring together people with a mutual interest in the important history and historical role of Chinese and Chinese Americans in Southern California;
- To pursue, preserve and communicate knowledge of this history; and
- To promote the heritage of the Chinese and Chinese American community in support of a better appreciation of our rich, multi-cultural society.
CHSSC is one of the most active historical societies in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
. There are monthly meetings, field trips, archive and library collections, oral history projects, scholarships, and publications.
Projects
- Portraits of Pride I & II Publication
- 19th Century Chinese Memorial Shrine Preservation Project
- Chinese Americans in World War II
CHSSC Honorees
Each year the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California honors Chinese Americans who have made significant contributions to the greater Los Angeles community. They have included:- 2005 - Los Angeles Chinese American Pioneers in Law — Betty Tom Chu, Judge Rose Hom, You Chung HongYou Chung HongYou Chung Hong was an American attorney and community leader who was the first Chinese American lawyer admitted to practice law in the state of California, having passed the bar examination before he became the first Chinese American graduate of the University of Southern California Law School...
(1898-1977), Judge Ronald S.W. LewRonald S.W. LewRonald S.W. Lew is a U.S. District Court Judge for the Central District of California in the Ninth Circuit. Outside of Hawaii, Judge Lew was the first Chinese-American appointed to the federal bench after being appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1987...
(Chinese name: 刘成威), Judge Jennifer Lum, Judge Delbert Wong, Debra Yang (Chinese: 楊黃金玉) - 2006 - Chinese American Actors — including James HongJames HongJames Hong is an American actor and former president of the Association of Asian/Pacific American Artists . A prolific acting veteran, Hong's career spans over 50 years and includes more than 350 roles in film, television, and video games.-Early life:Hong was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His...
(Chinese: 吳漢章), Nancy KwanNancy KwanNancy "Ka Shen" Kwan is a Eurasian-American actress, who played a pivotal role in the acceptance of actors of Asian descent in major Hollywood film roles...
(Chinese: 關家蒨), Russell WongRussell WongRussell Girard Wong is an American actor and photographer, as well as the brother of actor/model Michael Wong.-Biography:...
(Chinese: 王盛德) - 2007 - Los Angeles Chinese American Banking Pioneers — Preston MartinPreston MartinDr. Preston Martin was an American banker and public official best known as the Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board between 1982 and 1986. -Education:...
, F.Chow Chan, Cathay BankCathay BankCathay Bank is a Chinese American bank based in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1962, it has since expanded its network throughout California and into Massachusetts, New York, Texas, Washington, Illinois, and New Jersey...
(Chinese: 國泰銀行), East West BankEast West BankEast West Bank is a Chinese American bank in the state of California in the United States. It has 119 branch locations in northern and southern California, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, Washington, two overseas branches in Hong Kong, one each in Shanghai and Shantou and representative...
(Chinese: 華美銀行), Far East National BankFar East National BankFar East National Bank was founded in 1974 as the first federally chartered Asian American bank in the United States. FENB has over 350 employees and total assets exceeding US$1.7 billion. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of Taiwan's Bank Sinopac in 1997. Services are provided through fifteen...
(Chinese:遠東國民銀行), First Public Savings, General Bank Trust Savings, Standard Bank, Golden Security BankGolden Security BankGolden Security Bank is a bank in the United States headquartered in Rosemead, California. This privately-held community bank was first established on August 27, 1982....
(金安銀行), Eastern International, The Continental Bank - 2008 - Chinese American Associations — Arcadia Chinese Association, Chinese American Association of Walnut, Diamond Bar Chinese American Association, San Gabriel Valley Chinese American Cultural Association, San Fernando Valley Chinese Cultural Association, South Bay Chinese Woman's Association, South Coast Chinese Cultural Association, South Pasadena Chinese American Club, and Ventura County Chinese American Historical Society
- 2009 - Celebrating Chinese Americans in Sports — Michael ChangMichael ChangMichael Te-Pei Chang is a former American professional tennis player. He is best remembered for becoming the youngest-ever male player to win a Grand Slam singles title when he won the French Open in 1989 at the age of 17....
(Chinese: 張德培), Tennis player; Tiffany ChinTiffany ChinTiffany Chin is an American figure skater who grew up in San Diego, California. She dominated the junior circuit in ice skating prior to her Olympic career, winning the US Junior National title as well as the World Junior title...
(Chinese: 陳婷婷), Olympian; Bob Chow, Olympian; Norm ChowNorm ChowNorman Chow is the offensive coordinator for the Utah Utes, a position he started on January 22, 2011. He previously held the same position with UCLA, the NFL's Tennessee Titans, USC, North Carolina State, and Brigham Young University....
(Chinese: 周友賢), football Coach; Lawrence Hom, volleyball player; Cameron Inouye, WNBA Referee; Carol Jue, college basketball head coach; Kim NgKim NgKim Ng is an American executive in Major League Baseball. She is currently the Senior Vice-President for Baseball Operations with Major League Baseball.-Career:...
, Los Angeles Dodgers; Jon Soo Hoo, sports photographer; Richard TomRichard TomRichard Tom is an American weightlifter and Olympic medalist. He obtained a bronze medal at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London.-References:...
, Olympian; Charles B. Wang (Chinese: 王嘉廉), Owner of New York Islanders Hockey Club; Kevin WongKevin WongKevin Kahn Wong is a professional beach volleyball player who currently competes on the AVP tour. In 2000, he placed fifth paired with Rob Heidger at the Sydney Olympics. Wong was named to People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" issue in 2000. He currently lives in Hawaii. He is 6'7" and...
, volleyball player; Annie Yee, cheerleader; Chinese American Athletic Association; Chinatown Firecracker Run Committee.
See also
- Chinese American MuseumChinese American MuseumThe Chinese American Museum is a museum located in Downtown Los Angeles as a part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument. It is dedicated to the history and experience of Chinese Americans in the state of California, first such museum in Southern California...
- Chinese Culture CenterChinese Culture CenterThe Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco, California, USA, is a major community-based, non-profit organization established in 1965 to foster the understanding and appreciation of Chinese and Chinese American art, history, and culture in the United States.The facilities of the Center, totaling ,...
- Chinese Historical Society of AmericaChinese Historical Society of AmericaThe Chinese Historical Society of America is the oldest and largest archive and history center documenting the Chinese American experience in the United States...
- Museum of Chinese in America