春分
Chūn fēn (Spring Equinox )
March 21, 2019
On this day, the lengths of day and night are equal. It marks the midpoint of spring lasting for 90 days. The best time for cultivation of crops and sightseeing is coming.
Greetings from the Executive Director
Springtime is just around the corner!

As we changed our clocks to daylight saving time, we've had a very exciting month in March! We opened a new exhibition, The Chinese Helped Build the Railroad, The Railroad Help Build America , that attracted over 600 visitors to come through our door. Some of them left notes and drawings (by kids!) on our guest board in memory of the Chinese railroad workers. Check out the highlights in this newsletter and watch out for more exciting events coming up.

Three of our Board of Directors will be going to Utah to commemorate the 150 th  Anniversary Celebration of the Golden Spike, the last spike of the Transcontinental Railroad on May 10, 2019. They will share their experience with us upon their return. So stay tuned!

We at the Museum are always grateful for your support. We cannot put together the programming that we offer without our sponsors, donors, and members. If you are not already a member, please consider joining as a member. Also, please support our annual fundraising dinner (May 4, 2019) by offering sponsorship, placing ad orders in our program book, or simply buying the dinner tickets.
Come to see the new exhibit and share your thoughts
Past and Upcoming Events
CRRW Photo Exhibition VIP Reception (03/01/19) & Opening Day
 (03/02/19)
A VIP reception was held on March 1, 2019 for our donors, members and friends, sponsored by Country Financial. The exhibition opened to the public on March 2, 2019 with a special screening of "CANTON ARMY IN THE HIGH SIERRAS" and a presentation by Professor Mark Chiang. Thank you for all the help and support to our new exhibition, The Chinese Helped Build the Railroad, The Railroad Helped Build America. If you haven't seen our new exhibit, make sure to stop by our museum when you visit Chinatown.
Click Here for more photos.
Screening of "My Odyssey - Between Two Worlds"
(04/13/19)
We are excited to welcome Dr. Raymond Douglas Chong for a film showing and presentation: An intimate odyssey to discover the Chong (Zhang) ancestral roots from Kaiping, China to Gold Mountain, America

Raymond Douglas Chong’s journey in search of his family roots in Kaiping, Guangdong, China leads to his ancestral village where he interviews villagers and uncovers its peasant history. With remarkable footprints, Chong traces his family’s five generation migrations to America. Following great-great-great and great-great grandfathers who worked as laborers in gold fields during the California Gold Rush and the Far West’s Transcontinental Railroad. For Raymond Douglas Chong, his personal journey opened exciting new explorations into Chinese culture, literary arts, and music.
Screening of “CANTON ARMY IN THE HIGH SIERRAS”
(05/29/19)
The Chinese American Museum of Chicago invites you to an encore program in conjunction with our current exhibition, The Chinese Helped Build the Railroad – The Railroad Helped Build America, which began March 2, 2019, to coincide with the 150th Anniversary of the Golden Spike at Promontory Summit in Utah.

This program will include a screening of “CANTON ARMY IN THE HIGH SIERRAS: Chinese workers build America's first transcontinental railroad (1863-1869),” a presentation on Chinese contribution in the building of the Transcontinental Railroad and its impact on Chinese immigration and migration, and a special slideshow from the 150th Golden Spike Conference in Utah.
18th Benefit Dinner
(05/04/19)
Chinatown Museum Foundation is hosting the Chinese American Museum of Chicago 18th Benefit Dinner at New Furama Restaurant, 2828 South Wentworth Avenue, Chicago, on Saturday, May 4, 2019 starting 6 pm. The theme this year is “Echoes from the Past, Voices for the Future: Remembering Chinese Railroad Workers during the 150th Anniversary of the Golden Spike.”

Join us for performances, lively conversation, authentic Chinese food, cash bar, and raffle. Proceeds go towards quality programming such as culturally and historically relevant exhibitions, film screenings, lecture series, and live performances.

The Museum relies solely on sponsorships, donations, fundraisers, and memberships to fund exhibitions and offer programs that tell the stories of Chinese American history and experiences. If you are unable to join us, a donation would be much appreciated.
Museum News
40th Anniversary of China-US Diplomatic Relations Reception
The Consulate General of the People's Republic of China at a reception to celebrate the 40th anniversary of China-US diplomatic relations and mark the assumption of office by Consul General Zhao Jian at the Peninsula Chicago.
Click Here for more photos.
Chicago Metropolitan Lee's Association Annual Spring Banquet
CAMOC Board of Directors and Chinese American Heritage Foundation founders attended Chicago Metropolitan Lee's Association Annual Spring Banquet.
Click Here for more photos.
Chinese American Heritage Foundation Visit
Wilson Lee (Founder) & Esther Zee Lee (Founder & Charter President) of Chinese American Heritage Foundation and Jack Lee visiting Chinese American Museum of Chicago, Raymond B. & Jean T. Lee Center were welcomed by Raymond Lee. Photo taken by David Lee.
Click Here for more photos.
Moy's Family Association Annual Spring Banquet
Our president Soo Lon with Moy Sisters from Chicago, DC and Boston.
Good in Chicago Filmed at CAMOC
Good in Chicago Part 2 filmed at the Chinese American Museum of Chicago with Rashanah Baldwin and Brendan Greeley as hosts.
Click Here for the episode.
36th Asian American Coalition of Chicago Dinner
Congratulations to Soo Lon Moy and Darek Lau for their awards from the Asian American Coalition of Chicago representing the Chinese American Community: Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, Chinese American Civic Council, Chinese American Museum of Chicago, Midwest Asian Health Association, OCA Greater Chicago Chapter, Pui-Tak Center, and Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community.
Click Here for more photos.
Share Your Story
Are you, or do you know someone who is, a descendant of a Chinese railroad worker who worked on the Transcontinental Railroad? We’re looking to collect oral histories from Chinese Railroad Workers’ descendants in the Midwest. Email us: office@ccamuseum.org‬
About Us
The mission of the Chinese American Museum of Chicago - Raymond B. & Jean T. Lee Center (CAMOC) is to promote the culture and history--through exhibitions, education, and research--of Chinese-Americans in the Midwest.

The museum building, formerly the Quong Yick Co., is located in Chicago's Chinatown, at 238 West 23rd Street in Chicago. The Museum opened to the public on May 21, 2005. After a devastating fire in September of 2008, the Museum was closed for renovation and reopened in 2010.

CAMOC is governed by the Board of Directors of the Chinatown Museum Foundation (CMF), a 501(C)(3) non-profit corporation located in Chicago, Illinois.