Welcome to the first edition of the Chinese American Heritage Network newsletter! Fall is here and it’s time for Moon festivals, movie nights, book talks, and new exhibits.
October 4: China Alley Moon Festival, Hanford
Hosted by the China Alley Preservation Society and the Carnegie Museum of Kings County
Time: Noon to 5 pm
Cost: Free
Location: 109 E Eighth St, Hanford, CA 93230
This year’s celebration is more than mooncakes and lion dances, it’s about community, memory and the arts that keep our stories alive. The event featured performances at 2 and 4 pm with the Cal Poly Lion Dance Team and Fresno’s Gumyo Taiko. Check out a recent article about the event by the Hanford Sentinel here.
(Photo from Main Street Hanford)
October 4 and 5: “The Truer History of the Chan Family” Screenings, Hanford
Hosted by the China Alley Preservation Society
TWO Screenings! Pick the one that works best for you!
October 4 at 7-9 PM
October 5 at 2-3 PM
Cost: Free but Reservations required due to limited seating. Reserve a spot here!
Location: The Temple Theater, Hanford. 514 Visalia St, Hanford, CA 93230
When Eugenie Chan set out to find out more about her family’s involvement in San Francisco’s Hip Yee Society, a once notorious gambling and prostitution tong, her discoveries inspired her to tell the story of a family chasing the American Dream in 1920s Chinatown. That story became The Truer History of the Chan Family.
Playwright Chan has deep Hanford roots. Her great-grandfather was China Alley’s Sue Chung Kee and her grand-uncle was Hanford herbalist, Y.T. Sue – who was instrumental in constructing the Chinese School, which is now the Temple Theater. There’s a deeper connection, Hanford’s historian, Camille Wing is a Chan. This is part of her story too!
Trigger Warning: This story contains references to trauma and suicide that some individuals may find distressing.
October 4: Cloud Forest Temple Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, Weaverville
October 4: One Family VIP Reception, San Francisco Chinatown
Time: 10 am-12 pm
Location: 965 Clay Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
Cost: $40 for general admission or $80 includes a signed copy of Water Mirror Echo by Jeff Chang. (tickets available via Eventbrite)
Join this special presentation about CHSA’s role in championing solidarity, unity, and safety in support of the Bruce Lee statue project.
In support of its ONE FAMILY BLOCK PARTY, CHSA will be hosting an exclusive VIP reception at the museum featuring a dynamic presentation of solidarity, unity, and safety with community leaders, local artists, and author Jeff Chang, whose upcoming book Water Mirror Echo explores the legacy of Bruce Lee and his trailblazing career bridging communities.
Following in the footsteps of Bruce Lee, this panel discussion will explore topics of the importance of cross-cultural unity and identity and bring attention to the ways that the Chinatown community can work together in partnership.
Join CHSA in partnership with Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA) and Gold House as part of a very special fundraising event with proceeds supporting CHSA’s Bruce Lee statue project.
Program includes:
- Special presentation and book signing with Jeff Chang
- Presentation by CAA
- Meet-and-greet with One Family Block Party artists
- Dim sum and beverages
- Music
October 4: One Family Block Party, San Francisco Chinatown
Hosted by the Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA)
Time: 1 pm – 4 pm
Cost: Free
CHSA is excited to present the ONE FAMILY BLOCK PARTY, a celebratory day of unity, safety, and solidarity, that will take place on Waverly Place in San Francisco Chinatown on October 4.
Inspired by the life, legacy, and love of Bruce Lee, this fun-filled event will feature:
🎤 Musical performances by rappers Stunnaman02 and UnLearn the World and SF Hip Hop
🎵 DJ sets by DJ Qbert, DJ Kendo, and DJ Agana
🥋 Martial arts demonstrations
🖼️ Pop-up art
🗣️ A very special panel discussion about martials arts as an expression of resistance to empire and affirmation of cultural heritage featuring Dr. Bernard James Remollino and Jeff Chang, author of MIRROR WATER ECHO: BRUCE LEE AND THE MAKING OF ASIAN AMERICA
In addition, CHSA will be launching its new “mobile museum,” a public activation of hands-on artmaking, as well as a public bookmobile activation by the San Francisco Public Library.
October 11: 4th Annual Chinatown Lion Festival, San Francisco Chinatown
Featuring lion dance performances from schools and troupes from around the Bay Area, Northern California, and beyond. Contact the Chinese Historical Society of America for more information.
October 26: War, Race, and Culture Book Talk with Gordon Chang, San Francisco Chinatown
Hosted by the Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA)
Time: 3 pm – 5 pm
Location: Chinese Historical Society of America Museum, 965 Clay Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
Cost: $10, tickets available via Eventbrite
CHSA presents an in-depth program with scholar and author Gordon H. Chang, drawing from his recently released book, War, Race, and Culture, which spotlights 15 essays he published during his career. With a personal reflection on his life as an Asian American activist and scholar, this book covers a range of experiences and social issues ranging from racial attitudes of Presidents John F. Kennedy and Dwight Eisenhower; the history of Chinese Exclusion; the relationship of Chinese Americans and China; and Chinese American art history. Dr. Chang will share his life story and how it intersects with the development of the writing of Asian American history.
Recent Updates from Members
Chinese American Museum of Northern California, Marysville Hosts Special Guest at New Exhibit Opening
Marysville’s Chinese American Museum of Northern California opened their new exhibit titled “China-US Relations” on September 28, 2025.
From left to right: Museum Director Brian Tom and Deputy General Consul Yang Shouzheng at the Chinese American Museum of Northern California, Marysville. Photo courtesy of Brian Tom.
According to Museum Director Brian Tom, “this exhibition marks a new chapter in the mission of the Chinese American Museum of Northern California (CAMNC) as it expands its focus beyond Chinese American History.”
In the announcement for the new exhibit, Director Tom noted that “understanding the ancestral homeland of Chinese Americans is a crucial aspect of our identity. At the same time, there have been many myths and misconceptions about China that this exhibition will address. In an effort to promote cultural understanding between our two countries, CAMNC entered into a friendship agreement with Wenshan Prefecture Museum in June of this year.”
The Museum was honored to have Yang Shouzheng, Deputy General Consul of the People’s Republic of China in San Francisco, as a special guest and speaker at the exhibit opening.
Deputy General Consul Yang at the Chinese American Museum of Northern California, Marysville. Photo courtesy of Brian Tom.
The Chinese American Museum of Northern California is located at 301 1st Street in Marysville, CA 95901 and is open the first Saturday of the month from noon to 3 pm. You can learn more about the Chinese American Museum of Northern California at their website https://chineseamericanmuseum.com
Other Upcoming Events
Save the Date: 2026 Chinese American Heritage Network Conference in San Jose!
The CAHN Conference is headed to San Jose in 2026! The San Jose Chinese Historical and Heritage Project will be our host on April 11, 2026. Save the date and more information will be sent out in the months to come.
You can see the notes from our August 2025 meeting on our website here.
Chinese American Heritage Network 
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