Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 6-7:30 p.m.
Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s Chinatown, like many urban Chinatowns, began in the late nineteenth century as a refuge for immigrant laborers and merchants in which to form a community to raise families and conduct business. But this enclave for expression, identity, and community is also the embodiment of historical legacies and personal and collective memories.
In her book Ethnic Renewal in Philadelphia’s Chinatown, Kathryn Wilson charts the unique history of this neighborhood, the community’s efforts to save and renew itself, and the continuing living community for subsequent waves of new immigration. Joining Dr. Wilson for this program at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania will be community members she interviewed for the Ethnic Renewal project, including Mary Yee, one of the leaders of the Save Chinatown movement, and John Chin, who grew up in the neighborhood and serves as executive director of Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation. After the presentation, examples from HSP collections representing Chinatown’s history will be on display for exploration and discussion.
Admission free. For further information visit the Historical Society of Pennsylvania calendar.
Read Kathryn Wilson’s essay about Chinatown in The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia: link here.