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Chinese Historical Society of America
by Jill Loeffler •
Updated: February 6, 2024
A visit to the Chinese Historical Society of America offers a look into the history of the Chinese in the United States.
Inside, you will find personal and historical narratives of the immigration challenges that faced this group as well as rotating exhibits featuring Chinese American artists.
This museum first opened in 1963. It moved to its current location, a beautiful historic Julia Morgan building (the old Chinatown YMCA), in 2001.
Your visit begins the minute you step inside this SF museum. During my last visit, the lobby included an exhibit about the impact of the 1906 Earthquake on the Chinatown District.
You will often find at least one exhibit in this area.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
Main Gallery
After you are done in the lobby, you will head to your left, into the main gallery. This is the heart of this Chinatown attraction.
The main gallery starts with the 'Crossing the Pacific' exhibit. This is where you can learn what it was like to take the journey from China to America.
From here, you then walk through the area that explains how the Chinese Americans built their homes. It also takes you through the history of some of their early communities.
My favorite part of this gallery is the display explaining the impact of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. It was one of the most restrictive immigration laws ever. It mainly targeted Chinese laborers trying to come to the US.
It also affected Chinese immigrants that were already in the country. It made it very difficult for them to visit their families in China and then return to the US.
It's one of the only places where you can hear personal stories about those impacted by the act. You can also learn more about what their families went through, on both sides of the Pacific, after the act passed in the US.
The final part of this gallery includes traveling exhibits. Items on display range from modern day Chinese American art to historical pieces.
Other Things to See Here
Bruce Lee Exhibit
Check out this fascinating tribute exhibit entitled "We Are Bruce Lee: Under the Sky, One Family." Here, you'll see artifacts from Lee's life as a skilled martial artist, as well as other facets of his life that you probably didn't know.
Enjoy getting to know Lee as movie star, a well-rounded athlete that included cha-cha-cha and fencing, an intellectual who merged traditional Chinese and western philosophy, an activist in the fight against racism, and much more.
The Courtyard
The courtyard is a small, outdoor space next to the main gallery. There aren't any exhibits out here, but it does offer some seating where you can relax and unwind during your visit.
The Miniature Sculptures of Frank Wong
Another one of the fun permanent exhibits at the Chinese Historical Society of America is a collection of miniature scenes that display in minute detail the memories of Chinatown from Frank Wong's youth.
Wong grew up in Chinatown and currently resides there again, but for years he was a Hollywood set designer. His tiny dioramas of scenes like a Chinese herb shop, laundromat, and shoe shine stand are incredibly real and have been featured in an award-winning PBS documentary.
Circle and Square
The Circle and Square exhibit is part of the Chinese Historical Society of America's creative spaces project. This exhibit is by Leon Sun.
According to Sun, the circle and square together represent heaven and earth. The configuration you see in the picture above spells the Chinese character 'Tian', which means 'Field'. It represents human activities and presence on the land.
It's a replica of the one he created in his personal garden.
You are welcome to sit down and experience the Circle and Square exhibit during your visit.
Celebrating Chinese New Year
Each year, the Chinese Historical Society of America rings in the lunar new year with weekend-long festivities and Chinese traditions. Some events are free for the public and others are paid.
2024 Year of the Dragon Events (TBD for 2025)
The 2024 Year of the Dragon celebrations will take place from Friday, February 16 to Sunday, February 18.
- 2/16, Free admission: Calligraphy station, book signing by Anna Wong, lion dance performance, and unlimited access to the museum, including the Bruce Lee exhibit
- 2/17, Free admission: Tours of the Bruce Lee exhibit, calligraphy station, book signing by Anna Wong, and unlimited access to the museum
- 2/18, With paid admission ticket: We Are Bruce Lee customized red envelopes (while supplies last), customized fortune cookie (while supplies last), and unlimited access to the museum
Admission, Hours & Tips to Get Here
Hours
This SF museum is open the following days and hours:
- Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm
- Closed Monday and Tuesday
Admission Prices & Tickets
You can purchase your tickets online or at the admissions front desk on a first-come, first-served basis. When you reserve your tickets online, you'll be asked to choose a time: 11 am, 12, 1, 2, or 3 pm.
- $12 General Admission
- $5 Youth (5 - 18 years old)
- $10 Students, Senior Citizens, and Military
You can pick up your tickets at the entrance to the Chinese Historical Society of America.
Location & Tips to Get Here
The museum is at 965 Clay Street, which is between Stockton and Powell Streets in Chinatown. Here is a map showing its location.
From Union Square:
- Walking: If you love walking, this is the best way to get from Union Square to the museum. It is half a mile (about 6.5 city blocks) from the heart of the square.
- 30 Stockton: Another option is to take the 30-Stockton bus. This bus picks up along Sutter Street. It turns at Stockton to head north into Chinatown. It's a busy bus and runs often. Take the bus to the Clay and Stockton stop and walk a half block up Clay Street to the museum.
From Fisherman's Wharf:
- Powell-Mason Cable Car: The easiest way to get here from Fisherman's Wharf is by taking the Powell-Mason Cable Car line. Pick it up at Bay and Taylor Streets. Take it all the way to the Powell and Clay Street stop. Walk down the hill a half a block to the museum.
Where to Eat Nearby
House of Nanking: This family-owned restaurant has been around since 1988 and is known for classic dishes such as Nanking sesame chicken, fried pot stickers with peanut sauce, shrimp with peanut sauce, and more. On the other hand, their menu changes often, so you will always have something new to try no matter how many times you eat here.
They have outside dining with heat lamps, as well as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. You know you'll get authentic Chinese food here, as they have been featured on SF Gate, Conde Nast, and the Huffington Post. It is only about an 8-minute walk from the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum. 919 Kearny Street
Hang Ah Tea Room: When in Chinatown, you’ll want to try some dim sum and Hang Ah is the perfect restaurant for that. It originally opened in 1920 and is the oldest dim sum restaurant in the whole USA! For as delicious as their small plates and dumplings are, they also have soups, clay pot stews, and special gourmet dinners.
They have loads of options, including vegetarian and vegan options. Something kids will love is that they have a gong in the restaurant to get attention of the staff when it is busy. They also have outdoor seating. It is about a 5-minute walk to the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum. 1 Pagoda Place
New Fortune Restaurant: One of the newer restaurants in Chinatown, opening in January of 2018, this restaurant has quickly gained a very loyal following. Their meals are very reasonably priced, and the servings are plentiful, so you will definitely not leave hungry.
It is hard to recommend anything specific since they are well-known for pretty much everything they make. So, if you are looking for a place with lots of variety, including vegetarian and vegan options, and want a cool and relaxed atmosphere, then check out New Fortune.
It is a small place, so make sure you don’t walk by it. It is about a 5-minute walk to the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum. 815 Stockton Street
Other Fun Things to Do Around Chinatown
Chinese Temples: Chinatown is famous for its temples, and we’ve put together a list of our favorites. One of these is the Kong Chow Temple, which has some of the oldest Chinese relics in the USA. The second is the Tin How Temple. It is the oldest of all the temples in San Francisco and was built in the 1850s. The wood carvings inside are a must see. The third of our suggestions is the Ma Tsu Temple. This temple is newer than the other two but is still worth the visit as it has colorful statues and altars. If you want to learn more about these temples and how to visit them, please click here.
Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory: Do you want to know what the future holds for you? If so, then you’ll want to stop by this factory. It is so small that, even though it is called a factory, it is very easy to miss it and you could easily walk right by. We love stopping here to see the fortune cookies being prepared in person. The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory is so famous, and their cookies so beloved, that they are sold all over the world. Click here to learn more about the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory.
Shopping: You can’t say you truly experienced Chinatown unless you do some shopping. This is especially true since there are so many fun and interesting things for sale throughout the district. There are great bargains to be had if you take your time looking for them. There are three main areas, with Grant Avenue being the busiest and most well-known, while Waverly Place and Stockton Street are where more of the locals tend to shop. Going to any of the three will give you a feeling of what it is really like to be in Chinatown and experience the culture. Click here to learn more about shopping in Chinatown.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
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