Chinese Historical Society of Southern California facts for kids
The Chinese Historical Society of Southern California (CHSSC) is a group that helps people learn about the history of Chinese and Chinese Americans in Southern California. It's located in Chinatown, Los Angeles, California. The CHSSC holds meetings, organizes field trips, and collects old photos and stories. They also offer scholarships and publish books about history.
Contents
Discovering the Past: CHSSC's Beginning
The CHSSC started on November 1, 1975. Their first meeting was at Cathay Bank in Los Angeles. Some important people at this meeting included Paul Louie, William Mason, and Paul De Falla.
Why CHSSC Was Created
The main goals of the CHSSC are:
- To bring together people who are interested in the history of Chinese and Chinese Americans in Southern California.
- To find, save, and share knowledge about this history.
- To celebrate the heritage of the Chinese and Chinese American community. This helps everyone better appreciate our diverse society.
In the mid-1990s, the CHSSC bought the land for their current building on Bernard Street. They built the Chinatown Heritage & Visitors Center there. This center is open to everyone who wants to visit and learn.
Projects: Sharing Stories and History
The CHSSC has published several books. One book, Duty & Honor, came out in 1998. It celebrates Chinese American veterans who served in World War II. They also published Portraits of Pride I (2004) and Portraits of Pride II (2012). These books share the life stories of successful Chinese Americans who might not be widely known.
In 1992, the society bought an old shrine built in 1880. They also bought 42 burial spots around it in Evergreen Cemetery. The CHSSC worked to restore these important historical sites. Now, this area is a registered historic monument.
In 2019, the CHSSC helped with an exhibit called "Gatherings: Collecting and Documenting Chinese American History." This exhibit was shown at the Museum of Chinese in America.
Honoring Contributions: CHSSC Awards
Each year, the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California honors Chinese Americans. These are people who have made big contributions to the greater Los Angeles community.
Some of the people and groups they have honored include:
- 2006 - Chinese American Actors: This included famous actors like James Hong, Nancy Kwan, and Russell Wong.
- 2009 - Chinese Americans in Sports: They honored athletes and sports figures such as tennis player Michael Chang, Olympian Tiffany Chin, and football coach Norm Chow. They also recognized groups like the Chinese American Athletic Association.
See also
- History of the Chinese Americans in Los Angeles
- Chinese American Museum
- Chinese Culture Center
- Chinese Historical Society of America
- Museum of Chinese in America
- Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park
