Children in an early American Chinatown, photographed by Arnold Genthe, c. 1896–1906—moving between worlds, carrying the traditions of the past into the promise of a new life.
Chinese American history is shaped by place, community, and memory—reflecting the experiences of immigrants who built lives and institutions across generations. From the Transcontinental Railroad to the evolution of Washington, D.C.’s Chinatown, these stories reveal both hardship and resilience.
This section brings that history together through four areas: Heritage Tours, Chinatown Walking Tours, Range 99, and Chinatown Projects—each offering a different way to explore, understand, and engage with the Chinese American experience.
Explore historic sites connected to Chinese laborers and the building of America.
Explore the stories, landmarks, and hidden histories that shaped Washington, DC’s and Sacramento’s Chinatowns.
Learn about the Chinese immigrants buried at Range 99—and the ongoing efforts to preserve their memory.
Explore ongoing projects that preserve and interpret Chinese American history and culture.