Since our founding, the 1882 Foundation has been guided by an unwavering commitment to highlighting our shared American stories and facilitating connection. Our work is focused on promoting cross-community dialogue, designing educational programs, and strengthening relationships at the local and national levels. It has been incredibly gratifying to work on national initiatives and with organizations across the country to build a future where Chinese American experiences are fully celebrated and woven into the fabric of American identity.
That is why on this Independence Day we are especially excited to announce the designation of the Summit Tunnel Camp as a National Historic Landmark. Our work in this designation effort began nearly 10 years ago. We never stopped moving this effort forward because we believed – as do many of you – in the importance of shedding light on the journey of the Chinese workers who contributed to this important piece of American history. We are also especially proud of Legacy, a documentary produced by the U.S. Forest Service and released in 2020 that discusses the rich and layered history of the Summit Tunnel.
To support our work across the country, the 1882 Foundation has opened its west coast office in Sacramento, CA as of July 1, 2025. This office will work closely with our headquarters in Washington, DC to build partnerships and strengthen heritage tours throughout the Central Valley.
We will be celebrating these two milestones by hosting a series of special events on August 9 and 10 in California. August 9, 2025 will be the official launch of our Sacramento office in Chinatown Square, followed by the unveiling of the National Historical Landmark plaque at the Truckee Ranger District Station in Truckee, CA on August 10, 2025. We would be honored if you can join us. All members of the community are encouraged to join. Thank you for your continued support and participation. Please register here and feel free to contact us at info@1882foundation.org.
We wish you a happy Fourth of July!
Sincerely,
Ted Gong