Monthly Newsletter | MAY 2020
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Museum closed through 6/15 or until further notice
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The Chinese American Museum of Chicago (CAMOC) will continue to be closed through 6/15 or until further notice. Our staff is working remotely, and is available to answer any questions by email.
We will continue to closely monitor the situation to assess the need for the closure and will send out updates by email, social media and our website.
Please stay safe, wash your hands and take care of yourselves and each other.
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From the Executive Director
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May is the month to be prepared and get ready!
As the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis started to level off and Chicago decided to enter phase three of its reopening plan, the Chinese American Museum of Chicago (CAMOC) is also preparing for the reopening. The safety and well-being of our staff, volunteers and visitors are still of the utmost importance when we reopen on June 16: The facilities will be deep cleaned; Staff and volunteers will be provided PPE (Personal Protective Equipment); Visitors will be advised to follow health and safety guidelines.
May is also the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. We celebrated the event by inviting you and other members to join us for a virtual film simulcast of “Soul of a Banquet,” a documentary about Cecilia Chiang, the woman who introduced America to authentic Chinese food, from the director of “The Joy Luck Club.” We hope that you enjoyed the delicious documentary.
We are still collecting stories to enrich the Chinese American histories. Please don’t hesitate to send us one or two stories of your family’s history that you would like to share. At the same time, we also track how Chinese Americans support each other and the small businesses such as restaurants in the community as well as the health care professionals, first responders, those in law enforcement, and others during the COVID-19 crisis.
Challenges and tough times are still there as CAMOC moves to reopen to the public. We ask you to continue helping us continue our work and sustain our operations by making a donation or becoming a member of CAMOC. It's never too late to make a donation, and no donation is too small! We want to continue the work that we do but we can't do this without your support.
Stay healthy and be well! Hope to see you soon!
Ben Lau
Executive Director
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Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
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May is Asian Pacific Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the stories and histories of individuals and organizations who have made great contributions to the Chinese American community in Chicago.
CAMOC held a simulcast film screening of "Soul of Banquet" to explore the the world of Cecilia Chiang, the woman who introduced America to authentic Chinese food. If you missed the live chat, you can still see what we've discussed on Twitter searching #SoulOfABanquet #APAHM #APAHM2020.
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CAMOC One World COVID-19 Special Collection
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CAMOC decided to start a special collection with the goal of recording the experiences and stories of individuals, families, and organizations during these unprecedented times. We are all encountering various difficulties and challenges because of COVID-19, but at same time we are witnessing many moving moments and historical stories that have never been seen before.
You are invited to share a story you believe should be recorded and documented. The One World Collection will feature acquisitions of a wide range of artifacts, including but not limited to photographs, letters, articles, journals, messages, notes, certificates, medical records, videos, and oral histories of Chinese Americans during this time.
Please send a write up and photo(s) to
office@ccamuseum.org
, with the subject CAMOC OneWorld Collection. And please include your contact information or that of your organization’s or community’s, including full name, email, phone number, and mailing address.
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BIG Thank you to everyone who sent us your stories! We are still collecting more, please add your story to help us to explore, honor, and preserve the family history and cultural heritage of Chinese American communities throughout Chicago and the greater Midwest. These historical memories will directly enrich our collection and may even be featured in future exhibits. These memories could include a family photo, a favorite recipe from a grandmother, beautiful clothes and jewelry of your mother, or a song that your father used to hum.
A few ideas to participate in
#MyFamilyStory:
1.Explore the history and meaning of daily objects and traditions around you. Are there items in the house or family traditions that have a connection to the past?
2.Take time for family conversations and stories that reflect on the themes of migration and cultural identity.
3.Connect family stories to American history and discuss the evolution of family traditions over time.
Support us by adding a story of your own, please send your story and picture to
office@ccamuseum.org or upload your story
HERE.
(Please keep your story to 200 words.)
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A Note of Thanks -
Sau Li
Sau has been volunteering to serve the community since coming to the States with her family two decades ago. She first volunteered at her children's elementary school in 2000 and then with other organizations afterward.
Sau has devoted several years of her time and effort serving as a preschool assistant, BAC (Bilingual Advisory Committee) President, and multilingual committee member. She has also taught choir and assisted in teaching Chinese folk dance for the after school programs.
Sau started volunteering with CAMOC in 2007 after she was offered the opportunity when she met Soo Lon Moy, Board President of Chinatown Museum Foundation, at a cultural event held at her son's high school.
When asked why she volunteers with the museum, Sau Yung said that she believed having the ability to volunteer and help others was a privilege and was humbled by the various opportunities that allowed her to contribute to her community. She finds joy in knowing that even one small act of kindness can make a difference and is always more than willing to help whenever our museum requires her assistance.
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New Exhibition in Preparation
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Eating bitterness:
Stories of Chinese American Cuisine (opening Date TBD)
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Through waves of Chinese immigrants beginning with California’s gold rush pioneers, Chinese American cuisine continuously transformed itself up to modern times where it is now becoming more authentic and reflects a variety of regional styles. Come explore this fascinating history, experience our restaurateur stories and cooking demonstrations, and examine the complex history of Chicago Chinese American restaurants.
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Sat, August 15, 2020
2:oo PM
Asian Pop-Up Cinema is held seasonally in the spring and in the fall. We are excited to host another screening again.
Movie Summary:
A group of four telecommunications employees at Pegasus Broadband, headlined by Francis Ng in his most charming role in recent memory, begrudgingly join the company dragon boat team hoping such a pledge of loyalty will keep them immune from encroaching layoffs. Under the tutelage of the pretty young no-nonsense coach, Dorothy (Jennifer Yu) they learn not just how to really race, but also to confront their own impending mid-life crises. From nagging families and infidelity to unrequited love and elusive Andy Lau concert tickets, myriad demons are exorcised as our bungling protagonists overcome the odds and take charge in this life-affirming comedy-drama.
We will send the tickets registration link once available.
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TBD
Talk Stories, scheduled for Wednesday April 22, will be rescheduled to a later date. Stayed tuned for our announcement. Please take care and be well during this challenging time.
We will send the tickets registration link once available.
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We are looking for dedicated, reliable, and energetic individuals who would like to experience our historic institution from the inside — as volunteers! We need volunteers for docents, greeters and special events. If you are interested in volunteering for us, please use the button below to visit our related page and download a volunteer form:
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About Us
The mission of the Chinese American Museum of Chicago - Raymond B. & Jean T. Lee Center (CAMOC) is is to advance the appreciation of Chinese American culture through exhibitions, education, and research and to preserve the past, present, and future of Chinese Americans primarily 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.
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