Early Chinese Traditional Religion on the East Coast - What happened to it, and why?
2025-03-14 16:30 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | DC
Chuimei Ho will be visiting DC to discuss early Chinese traditional religion on the East Coast and how it has impacted the physical space of Chinatowns and other spaces with large Chinese populations. Chuimei specializes in Buddhist art, archaeology, and Chinese American history. She will be presenting with Bennet Bronson, who specializes in anthropology and East and Southeast Asian cultures. Together they have published Chinese Traditional Religion and Temples in North America, Chinese Opium in America, among other works.
When: Friday, March 14, 2025 from 4:30 to 6:00 pm
Where: Downtown BID, 1275 K St. NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20001

Building On Chinatown: Designing with Heritage, Community, and Change
2025-03-15 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | DC
Please save the date for March 15 for architect, T.K. Justin Ng, to discuss his newly designed Small Business Innovation Hub in NYC’s Chinatown! Ng founded Spaced Agency to design spaces that foster community and cultural continuity. The Small Business Innovation Hub in NYC’s Chinatown allows for small business owners and other community members to network, organize, and create. It is a flexible space to allow for multiple different types of programming. Ng is currently working on another Chinatown House in Montreal.

Justin has also worked at internationally renowned firms, such as OMA in Rotterdam and ALA Architects in Helsinki. He received his Master of Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design and has taught at Harvard and the Boston Architectural College.

When: Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 4:00-6:00 pm
Where: DowntownBID, 1275 K St. NW, Washington, DC 20001

In Conversation with Stephanie Chou - Saxophonist, Singer, Composer, and Mathematician
2025-04-08 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | DC
🎶Join 1882 for In Conversation with Stephanie Chou: Saxophonist, Singer, Composer, Mathematician on Tuesday, April 8, from 7:00-8:00pm ET!

As part of our Talk Story Series, Stephanie will share her story of how she has invented a style of music to reflect her identity: Chinese-American. Her music is a blend of traditional Chinese with Western Jazz and pop to create a unique whirlwind of sounds. She has three albums: Prime Knot, Asymptote, and Comfort Girl (studio recording being released in 2025). Her newest album, Comfort Girl, shares stories of Asian women who were abducted into sexual slavery during WWII.

🎷Stephanie’s work is a wonderful fusion of East and West, and the present and past. She is a prime example of how art has changed (and will continue to change) in this increasingly interconnected world.

📍This Talk Story will be moderated by Yilin Zhang and Lauren Eng, advisor and associate to 1882. To register for this event, please use the link below.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/qr_9o5unRyiofmPF5NCggw

Qing Ming Celebration
2025-04-11 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E Street SE, Washington, DC, 20003, United States
Join 1882 in celebrating the Qing Ming Festival at the Historic Congressional Cemetery on April 11th!
Qing Ming, or Grave Sweeping Day, is a holiday celebrated in China to honor and revere ones ancestors. It is typically celebrated by taking time to clean family graves and make offerings to ancestors through food, or burning incense or paper money.

1882 Foundation will participate in this festival by taking a visit to Range 99, a memorial dedicated to the unnamed Chinese that were interred in this spot from 1896 to 1938. While there are no longer any remains in this spot, the 1882 Foundation wishes to honor and celebrate some of the first Chinese immigrants to Washington, DC. Our event will begin with a presentation in the chapel, followed by brick dedications at Range 99.

When: Friday, April 11, 2025 from 4:00-6:00 pm
Where: Historic Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St. SE, Washington, DC 20003

RSVP with the following link: https://forms.gle/TXTmgHNSMUuaTqmV8

Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America - Michael Luo Talk Story
2025-04-30 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | DC
📖Join 1882 to discuss Journalist Michael Luo’s first book, Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America! Strangers in the Land is the newest narrative retelling of Chinese American history ranging from the gold rush period in the 1800s to the 1960s. Whether you are looking to broaden your knowledge about Chinese American history specifically, or are seeking to learn something new, this book has something for everyone.

✏Michael Luo is currently an editor for The New Yorker, but has reported for papers across the country, including The New York Times. He has won several awards for his work, such as the George Polk Award and Livingston Award for Young Journalists for a series of articles written about three wrongfully imprisoned African American men.

This event will be hosted at the flagship location of Politics and Prose. No registration required! 🎉

⌚When: Wednesday, April 30 at 6:30 pm

📍Where: Politics and Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington DC, 20008

AANHPI Trivia Night
2025-05-12 18:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | DC
‼️Do you know your AANHPI history and culture? Let’s see just how much you know!‼️

🐲In celebration of AANHPI Heritage month, we are hosting an Asian American themed trivia night. Questions will range from history to celebrities, and everything in between. Who knows? You might have a new fact to share by the end of the night!

➡This event was created by the 1882 Foundation, Japanese American Citizens League DC-Young Professionals (JACL), Organization of Chinese Americans DC-Young Professionals (OCA), Taiwanese American Professionals DC (TAP), and the Filipino Young Professionals (FYP) in efforts to create a pan-Asian American Young Professionals group.

⌚ When: Monday, May 12 with a social hour starting at 6:30, trivia to start at 7:30

📍Lost Generation Brewery, 327 S St. NE, Washington DC, 20002

Please RSVP with the following link: https://forms.gle/c26NuL6LhPrJuVdt7

Tai Chi in the District
2025-05-31 14:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | 1882 Foundation Office, 508 I Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Join 1882 and Terence Nicholson for our Tai Chi in the District on Saturday, May 31st at 2 pm!

Tai Chi in the District is our May Talk Story event and will include a Tai Chi workshop, along with a presentation from Terence about his journey with Tai Chi.

Terence Nicholson is a born Washingtonian and a longtime native of Anacostia. He currently works as an Exhibit Specialist at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C. He has recorded and toured worldwide as a composer, producer, and improvisational lyricist. Terence has been a practitioner and teacher of Chinese martial arts for over thirty years, and he holds several gold medals from national and international tournaments. In 2018, he won his event in the 6th Annual World Kuoshu Tournament. He has taught self-defense and Tai Chi classes for community and professional organizations and businesses, including the World Bank, and for the Executive staff under the Obama administration.

When: Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 2 pm
Where: 1882 Foundation Office, 508 I St. NW, Washington DC, 20001

Please RSVP with the following link! https://forms.gle/TjY9V9HXjzjy88yM6

Talk Story: Zine Edition!
2025-06-26 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | 1882 Foundation Office, 508 I Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
📰Welcome to our zine-making workshop! Tell your story with the 1882 Foundation by creating a pocket-zine with us on Thursday, June 26 at 6:30pm-8:30pm. Doors open at 6:15pm.
✏During the “Talk Story: Zine Edition!” program, attendees will participate in a short overview and demonstration on zine-making, brainstorm a personal story to share, and lastly, create their own zine! Prompts and crafting materials will be provided on site. However, you are more than welcome to bring any of your own craft supplies to use!
❓A zine is a small DIY booklet, often published in limited batches, and surrounds a
topic that is interesting to its publisher.
Light refreshments will be provided!
⌚When: Thursday, June 26 at 6:30pm, doors open at 6:15pm
📍Where: 1882 Foundation Office, 508 I St. NW, Washington DC, 20001
RSVP with the following link! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/talk-story-zine-edition-tickets-1406160657379?aff=oddtdtcreator

Generations: Stories of Asian Americans in Richmond
2025-07-27 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | 1882 Foundation Office, 508 I Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Generations: Stories of Asian Americans in Richmond
Join us for a captivating conversation on how The Valentine’s newest exhibit, Generations, was formed! Panelists include Ting-Yi Oei (1882 Foundation), Meg Hughes (The Valentine), and Dave Pearson (Generations Photographer).
Sunday, July 28 | 2:00 PM
Please register using the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/generations-stories-of-asian-americans-in-richmond-tickets-1457717284639?aff=oddtdtcreator
If you are unable to attend our event in-person, no worries! You can still tune in via Zoom. In order to receive the Zoom link, please register using this link instead:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/3b3lj1ucQOqQc80bgDONrg

Summer 2025 Intern Presentations
2025-08-06 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | 1882 Foundation Office, 508 I Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Our 2025 Interns have been hard at work this summer! Come see what they’ve been up to as they share their capstone projects.
Light refreshments will be provided. No registration required!

From Invisible to Visible - Summit Tunnel Dedication Celebration
2025-08-09 10:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | The Celine, 428 J St., Sacramento, CA, 95814, United States
August 9, 10 AM – 5 PM | Sacramento, California
Celebrate and honor the legacy of Chinese Railroad Workers at our NEW office launch in Sacramento, CA! Join us on Aug 9 starting at 10am at The Celine for guest speakers, arts, music, and light refreshments. Free admission for all!
RSVP here.

Double Seventh Craft Fair and Family Day
2025-08-24 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | 1882 Foundation Office, 508 I Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
🌕🩷 Celebrate the Double Seventh Festival with us!

Hear the timeless love story of Zhi Nu and Niu Lang, then enjoy crafts, light refreshments, and fun for all ages. 🎨✨

Following story time, express your creativity through crafting! Supplies will be available to make a variety of paper crafts and embroidery kits. We also welcome you to bring your own craft project! Prizes will be available for the top 3 craft projects at the end of the event.

RSVP here!

This program is co-sponsored by the 1882 Foundation and the American University Humanities Truck.

Immigration Policy: A Window into Landmark Supreme Court Decisions and the Role of Media
2025-08-29 16:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | 1882 Foundation Office, 508 I Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Join us for a compelling conversation on immigration policy, landmark Supreme Court cases, and the media’s role in shaping public perception. Panelists include Yilin Zhang (1882 Foundation), Dr. Susan Brownell (University of Missouri–St. Louis), and journalist Adrienne Beard.
They’ll explore the 1927 Gong Lum v. Rice case, which upheld “separate but equal” doctrine in schools for minority children.
Please register for this event with the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/immigration-policy-a-window-into-landmark-supreme-court-decisions-tickets-1469677849009?aff=oddtdtcreator
If you can’t make our in-person event, no worries! You can attend our online option via Zoom. To recieve the zoom link for this event, please register using the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/T47IBSWNT7qlUvMhCwmE-A

Heritage Tour: Return to Gold Mountain
2025-09-13 - 2025-09-14 | California State Railroad Museum Parking Lot, 111 I Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814, United States
Join us this fall for a two-day heritage tour through historic Chinese American sites in Northern
California. Stops will include Summit Tunnel and the rural Chinatowns of Truckee and
Auburn—key landmarks in the history of Chinese railroad workers and Gold Mountain
communities.
Your ticket includes:
 Round-trip charter bus transportation (both days)
 One-night hotel stay at SpringHill Suites in Auburn
 Lunch and dinner on Saturday
 Breakfast and lunch on Sunday
Registration and a detailed itinerary will be available in late June / early July.
For questions or early inquiries, please contact us at:
info@1882foundation.org
Please use the following link to save your spot: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/return-to-gold-mountain-2025-tour-tickets-1368929929269?aff=oddtdtcreator

Podcast Launch Party
2025-09-18 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | 1882 Foundation Office, 508 I Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Welcome to The Pod-Luck Club – a podcast about a blend of people, stories, and laughs. Podcast hosts, Teach and Ellen, invite you to the table to tell the regular stories of Asian Americans with a hearty dose of humor and even a dash of education and history. The best part about a potluck? Anything and everything is welcome!
Join us as we launch 1882’s first podcast. During this event, we will listen to episode snippets while podcast hosts Teach and Ellen share the origins of the Pod-Luck Club. We will also record a short segment to be featured in an upcoming podcast episode.
As our podcast is named after a potluck, we encourage you to bring your favorite snack or dish to share with everyone!
RSVP here –> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/podcast-launch-party-tickets-1602613192199?aff=oddtdtcreator

Culture Series: 9-Man Volleyball
2025-09-25 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
HumanitiesDC & Ted Gong Present Culture Series: 9-Man, a conversation with key members of the Chinese American community reflecting on the street sport that continues to unite generations. For more than 90 years, 9-man volleyball has drawn teams from Chinatowns across the United States. In fact, the game is so popular that the last time a rotating competition took place in Washington, DC, it closed Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House to the FBI Building.
As immigrant identities continue to face challenges, understanding the impact of 9-man volleyball allows for a broader discussion on the importance of cultural spaces. Historical research has led to ongoing conversations about cultural preservation and identity within the Chinese American community, ensuring 9-man remains a thriving sport today.
Join us for a panel discussion exploring how the game’s strict rules, emphasis on community, and longstanding traditions have contributed to cultural preservation across generations. Together, we’ll revisit the rich history of 9-man volleyball in DC and highlight the resilience of Chinese American communities in maintaining their heritage despite adversity.
RSVP here –> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/culture-series-9-man-tickets-1559760207769?aff=oddtdtcreator

Young Asian Americans of Washington DC (YAAW) Game Night
2025-10-02 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Crown and Crow, 1317 14th St NW, Washington, DC, 20005, United States
Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with games, community, and mooncakes!
The Young Asian Americans of Washington DC (YAAW for short) is launching their new group name with Game Night! You might have seen this group from previous events, such as the Lunar New Year Dessert Swap and AANHPI Trivia Night. We are so excited to share this Pan-Asian American social group with you!
RSVP here –> https://partiful.com/e/7igIjjVj46fMCkjZfvjp

Rural Chinatowns and Hidden Sites Conference
2025-10-15 - 2025-10-17 | SpringHill Suites Memphis Downtown, 85 Court Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38103, United States
October 15–17, 2025 | Memphis, Tennessee
The 1882 Foundation, in partnership with the Mississippi Delta Chinese Heritage Museum,
the Chinese Historical Society of Memphis and the Mid-South, and the Arkansas Chinese
Heritage Project, invites you to our upcoming conference:
Rural Chinatowns and Hidden Sites: Chinese American History in the Deep South and Midwest.
 Location: SpringHill Suites, Downtown Memphis
This gathering will explore the overlooked histories of Chinese American communities in rural
regions, bringing together scholars, students, educators, and community leaders. Programming
includes:
 Panel discussions
 Film screenings
 Field trip to the Mississippi Delta Chinese Heritage Museum in Cleveland, MS
Please RSVP with the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-rural-chinatowns-and-hidden-sites-conference-in-memphis-tn-tickets-1369278702459?aff=oddtdtcreator

Talk Story: Living Boldly
2025-11-07 06:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | 1882 Foundation Office, 508 I Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Join us in conversation with Ingrid Hu Dahl as she discusses her first book, a memoir of her life, as she describes how she lives boldly.
Ingrid Hu Dahl will be joined with her friend, Jaya Saxena, as they discuss Ingrid’s first book, Sun Shining on Morning Snow. This book is a powerful memoir on self-discovery as Ingrid shares how she navigates life being mixed race, queer, and most of all – how to live boldly.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Please RSVP here.
If you cannot attend our presentation in person, no worries! Use this link to register for our Zoom option.

Serving with Pride Throughout Our Nation's History
2025-11-09 13:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Chinese Community Church, 500 I St NW, Washington, DC , DC, 20001, United States
Join the 1882 Foundation and Executive Director Ted Gong for an engaging overview of Asian American veterans and their contributions throughout U.S. history, followed by a short discussion session.
Together, we’ll honor those who served our country–even in times when our country did not always stand by them.
When: Sunday, November 9 at 1:30 PM
Where: Chinese Community Church, 500 I St. NW, Washington DC, 20001
No RSVP needed – everyone is welcome.

Dumpling Happy Hour
2025-11-12 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Upside on Moore, 1700 N. Moore St., Arlington, VA, 22209, United States
Looking to meet some new friends? Join us for some dumplings, drinks, and chit chat! We would love to get to know you more.
RSVP using this link –> https://partiful.com/e/R7i0hUlszxsYNyochEcY

1882 Lecture Series: Access to Public Education
2025-11-13 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | 1882 Foundation Office, 508 I Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the role of Asian Americans and access to education. Our speaker, Dr. Janelle Wong, will cover topics ranging from bilingual education, school desegregation, book bans, and magnet school admissions.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Please RSVP using this link –> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1882-lecture-series-access-to-public-education-tickets-1829408763859?aff=oddtdtcreator
Can’t make it in person? No worries! Sign up here to receive a Zoom registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/4bnnliMcR0m1yzS1Abusag

1882 End of Year Fundraising Dinner
2025-12-17 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Chinatown Garden
Join us on December 17 in Washington, DC as we honor the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act and celebrate how remembrance becomes action. The 1882 Foundation’s Know Our History. Shape Our Future. End of Year Fundraising Dinner brings together community, stories, and purpose — raising vital support to ensure Chinese American history and contributions remain recognized, remembered, and woven into the American narrative.
An evening of remembrance, community, and purpose — raising support to preserve our shared history.
RSVP Here: https://secure.givelively.org/event/1882-project-foundation/1882-foundation-end-of-year-fundraising-dinner

Voices of the Valley: Community Movie Night
2026-01-23 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Pocket-Greenhaven Library, 7335 Gloria Dr, Sacramento, California, 95831
Join us for a community movie night on January 23! We will be showing three films about Chinese American experiences in small-town California. Following the three films, there will be a Q&A with representatives from each of the movies. Check below for a description of each film:
Min Zhou’s Voices shares the often-overlooked stories of women from historic Locke, CA who struggled and thrived despite the hardships they faced in the 20th century.
​Rising by Evelyn Hang Yin documents the generations of the Wing family who preserved Hanford’s China Alley, and the ramifications of a fire that destroyed its historic Taoist Temple Museum.
Kristie Chow’s Chicago Cafe follows the Fongs as they prepare to close their family’s century-old restaurant in Woodland– a restaurant that may have been the oldest Chinese restaurant in the US.
BYOP – Bring Your Own Popcorn!
RSVP Here.

Midnight Madness
2026-02-16 23:30 - 2026-02-17 01:00 (America/New_York) | 1882 Foundation Office, 508 I Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
🎆Get ready for MIDNIGHT MADNESS🌕
Join us on February 16 to ring in the new year at Midnight! Our lions will take to the streets of Chinatown to bless the local businesses and spread luck to the community.🧧
Interested in joining?
Meet us at the 1882 Foundation Office at 11:30 PM on Monday, February 16.
No RSVP needed.

Blurring the Color Line: Talk Story with Crystal Kwok
2026-02-19 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | UCDC, 1608 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20036
Join us for a conversation with Crystal Kwok on her documentary, Blurring the Color Line!

Director Crystal Kwok will discuss her documentary, Blurring the Color Line, with others who will provide different perspectives of growing up as an Asian American.
Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.
RSVP Here

YEE-YAAW: Lunar New Year Party
2026-02-27 20:00 - 2026-02-28 00:00 (America/New_York) | Eighteenth Street Lounge, 1230 9th St. NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Gallop into the Year of the Fire Horse with our “YEE-YAAW” Lunar New Year dance celebration hosted by Young Asian Americans of Washington (YAAW) 🔥🐎
The Fire Horse only comes once every 60 years and it’s known for bold moves, fearless energy, and new beginnings — so we’re throwing a party worthy of it.
Whether you’re coming with friends or coming solo, this is the perfect night to meet new people, connect with the AAPI community, and dance into the Lunar New Year together.
When: Friday February 27, 2026 8pm-midnight
Where: Eighteenth Street Lounge 1230 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Cost: $20 Early bird first 100, $25 Regular ticket admission
Vibes: Expect the DJ to keep the dance floor moving, a Lion Dance performance to bring the luck, yummy bites, and two bars to keep the fire going. Come for the culture, the AAPI community, and leave with new friends and good fortune.
RSVP Here

Preserving Culture in the AI Age
2026-03-27 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
China has hundreds of dialects, although most people only know about Mandarin or Cantonese. However, many of these dialects are disappearing — a trend happening all over the world as globalization increases. With new technology like AI, this presents new challenges for preserving dialects.
Our presenter, Leyi Lin Xu, is an independent filmmaker focused on capturing stories of rural life in China. This conversation is inspired by her documentary, Before Disappearing, which records the unique dialects of her hometown.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/hxSh1o15QWKxK9ut069pCA

Qing Ming Grave Sweeping and Talk Story
2026-04-04 10:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E Street SE, Washington, DC, 20003, United States
Join us for the Qing Ming Festival at Range 99, a memorial dedicated to the unnamed Chinese Americans who were burried there from 1896-1936. While the bodies were sent back to their families in China some time ago, Range 99 represents the legacy of Chinese Americans in Washington DC. The space is also used to honor community members who have since passed. We will take part in grave sweeping, weeding, and de-cluttering the surrounding area of the memorial.
Afterwards, we will head to the 1882 Foundation Office for a Talk Story at 3PM. Our founder, Ted Gong, will give a presentation on family history and the significance of Qing Ming.
Tickets for each event are separate.
RSVP for the Grave Sweeping
RSVP for Talk Story

Tangled Roots: A Family History
2026-04-18 13:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | 1882 Foundation Office, 508 I Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Join us for an exploration into DC history.
Richard Chan Bing is the author of Tangled Roots: Two Family Stories, One Mixed American Heritage, a book that explores Richard’s own family history and what it means to be mixed-race in America. His mother’s side traces back to Appalachian Virginia, and his father’s has origins with some of the first Chinese immigrants from the 19th century.
With ties to Washington DC and DC’s Chinatown, Richard’s research and story gives us a glimpse into what life was like in the past. How has Chinatown changed? What type of lives did the Chinese Washingtonians lead?
RSVP here.
