Chinese American Museum of Chicago

Wish they had more exhibits. Only two floors of exhibit and the top floor has library and movie theater. But it is a free museum so it's understandable that they don't have too much

This place is a hiden gem in Chinatown. Personnel at front desk is super friendly. They will tell you the best road to walk in the museum. The Chinese heritage in the US culture can be seen, and even feel in the different expositions they have. Super recommended. Besides for those who native language is not English, like myself, most expositions have additional Spanish and Chinese translations.

Smallish museum documenting the history of the Chinese community in the Midwest. A nice visit. It's free; they do suggest donations if you can.

A truly excellent museum with a comprehensive, accessible, and well-thought out collection of items and accompanying descriptions. The museum is remarkably free with a suggested donation policy (which I highly suggest you do) and has 3 floors with a number of permanent exhibits. The museum accurately details Asian American history with plenty of supportive documents and does so with great clarity. It highlights the Asian American struggle but does so in a way that is not pejorative but focuses on their solidarity and building of the community. Highly recommend the visit!

Small but powerful museum in the heart of Chinatown. Engaging exhibits on Chinese‑American immigration to the Midwest, historic artifacts, and a short documentary. Deeply informative and community-rooted. Suggested donation (~$5‑8), and definitely worth a visit.

Located in the heart of Chicago’s Chinatown; this was such a fantastic free museum accepting optional recommended donations upon entry. We enjoyed exploring and learning about the journey, culture and history of the Chinese. We watched an amazing video as well which was very informative and interesting. Street parking was available. Don’t miss the amazing mural on the side of the building.

A true gem. Chicago's Chinatown is right up there with San Francisco and NYC. Lots of history is to be told and this museum does a great job curating it. Admission is by the way of a donation. IMHO more than worth the $8 suggested donation. Learn about pioneers in the Chinese community and view historical pieces like old menus and photos.

Very interesting and eye-opening museum focused on the plight of the Chinese immigrants in the United States. The experience provided perspective about legal and cultural challenges and oppression that mirror current issues. Free admission but donations requested/encouraged.

I'm glad I made a return visit to the museum and got to go inside. This museum is pretty neat. It's not easily found as it's not on the main Chinatown road. It's made up of 3 floors of artifacts, stories and history forgotten from a bygone time. Many stories were about forefathers and the migration to Chicago and other parts of the U.S. They also have a library with all books in the various Chinese dialects. Jobella was at the front desk to welcome us and get us acquainted with the museum. It's free admission and donations are kindly accepted. They feature different items seasonally and I look forward to visiting again later in the year.

Wish they had more exhibits. Only two floors of exhibit and the top floor has library and movie theater. But it is a free museum so it's understandable that they don't have too much

Nice, clean, yet limited museum about Chinese-American experience. Current exhibit has extensive collection regarding Chinese-Americans military members participation in wars. Some limited exhibits about growing up Chinese in US. There's a small theater that I wish would continuously show apropos film but wasn't being used. 4th floor had extensive library with topical books for Chinese-Americans. This is a "donation suggested....$5-$8 museum that, depending on how much you want to read, can take half hour to hour and a half. Pretty much self guided w/o docent.

A nice free museum that tells the story of Chinese and Chinese Americans in Chicago. The first floor is all about mythological creatures such as the dragon. It has store boards that are entertaining. And the zodiac signs. The story of why the cat is not a sign was interesting. The 2nd floor is mostly dedicated to military service and how the Chinese were accepted into Chicago. The 3rd floor is a library with some cards and paintings, contemporary. I recommend this museum if you are looking for history and culture.

Pretty much a free museum in Chinatown. They have a clear plastic container where you can make a donation. They only ask that you sign in and no more than 5 people in the elevator. There is a wheel chair ramp on the side. They have restrooms and water fountains but I didn't use them. It's a really small 4 story row home converted into a museum. The third floor said staff only. The top floor looked like a library and no one was up there so I didn't check it out. The second floor had a room set up for a show but there wasn't a show while we were there. The first floor had the dragon as soon as you walked in. Since I was there with my 2 year old, I couldn't really appreciate the museum. I would have needed a tour guide to read the information because I had to keep reminding him "no touching".

Go to Chinatown and check out a pretty unknown museum amongst all the Chinese food. It's not that well known among Chicago's museums so it's not as crowded as the others can get. The Chinese-American Museum celebrates Chinese culture and immigration to the United States. Find lots of artifacts from local businesses. You can find out how life was like for Chinese immigrants and how they lived and worked. Best to know this isn't a big museum like some can be. It's pretty small and probably won't take long to get through all it. The exhibits are pretty simple to read and look through. Admission is suggested at $8 for adults. There's rotating exhibits every now and then. A pretty cool one was about Chinese restaurants in the city. Lots of artifacts from these such as silverware, tables, and uniforms. Besides this one there's exhibits about exclusion. The Chinese had to overcome racism. Another exhibit is about Chinese-American veterans and how they integrated into the military. There's not that much that can be packed into here but they manage to have a good collection of stuff. For anyone who likes going to Chinatown they should for sure check out this museum. It's small so it won't take that long to see it all but you can still see a lot of important things about the history of the area and people. There's a lot of information about culture, restaurants, and things.

Located in the heart of Chicago's Chinatown; this was such a fantastic free museum accepting optional recommended donations upon entry. We enjoyed exploring and learning about the journey, culture and history of the Chinese. We watched an amazing video as well which was very informative and interesting. Street parking was available. Don't miss the amazing mural on the side of the building.

We found this place on a whim while in Chinatown so we decided to stop by after lunch. The museum is free but they have suggested donations. This museum details and appreciates Chinese American culture through exhibitions, education, and research of Chinese Americans primarily in the Midwest area. There were two floors with the top floor detailing the history of Chinese Americans living in Chicago. A lot of the exhibits were about those who immigrated to Chicago from San Francisco and also those who served in World War II. It also went in depth about the Chinese Exclusion Act, "paper" sons, and had some oral history of some immigrants too. One of the workers walked up to us on the second floor and led us to a dark room where she started a mini-movie about the history of Chinese Americans in Chicago and the community that was created for immigrants just arriving. It was more than just a video as there were some lights that turned on when highlighting certain parts of the video like clothing and lion dance costumes. This video really hammered home themes of triumph, perseverance, togetherness, and community. As a Chinese American this entire museum really resonated with me. Even if I didn't grow up in the Midwest a lot of the experiences of those who lived in Chicago were the same as the ones of those living in San Francisco, Seattle, and many other cities around the country. If you're able to make the time or if you're in Chinatown, make sure to check this museum out.

A destination and highly recommended, a hidden gem in Chinatown. Entrance is free but a suggested donation helps to support the museum's work. It features a rich collection of Chinese-American heroes, men AND women. Take time to read and learn from the displays and artifacts. It also provides an interactive activity for young visitors to learn about Chinese mythical creatures and legends. Don't miss to watch and listen to the short documentary video that showcase the contributions and heroism of the Chinese-American during WWII. I was so inspired and proud to have learned the major impact that the Chinese-American women played a big role in the civil services and units in the military. Be sure to add this in your itinerary when you come to Chicago's Chinatown. You surely will discover and learn something before you leave. In addition, stop by to look at the colorful, big mural (turn right when you exit from the front door). It's an amazing work!

My adult children and I went on a summer day. The docent was extremely knowledgeable and eager to share about the museum with us. We were charmed by his friendly welcome and expertise. The museum has a documentary in the theater on the second floor that is well worth the sixteen minute length. They were able to recommend other spots of note on Chinatown too. The museum docent offered to take our picture in front of the gorgeous mural on the side of the museum building. If you have a couple of hours and are interested in history, we recommend it! The museum is very close to restaurants and shops in Chinatown.

Have been to Chinatown to eat and shop many times but first time stopping at the Museum and I was very impressed! Very nicely put together and maintained. Wide variety of objects and topics to learn about. The kids loved the interactive section about Chinese Fables. The short film on the 2nd floor is very very well-done, don't miss it!

Located in the heart of Chinatown on 23rd and Wentworth, this two-story museum has a fabulous museum and small gift shop on the first level, and a large library on the second level. The second level is also for special Asian performances. Today, there's a cultural event which celebrates the lunar year with Asian inspired performances and education. The lion dance is always amazing. This library is a reminder of the Asian experience in contemporary times.

On our last day visiting Chicago, we stopped by Chinatown to catch an early lunch. This museum was something I stumbled upon last minute and was around the corner from our restaurant so thought I would stop in to pass a little time before catching our evening flight out. It was small, but well curated and a great introduction for my kids (ages 11 and 8) to Chinese American history including the migration of Chinese Americans to the Chicago area. From the chinese exclusion act to the transatlantic railroad there was a good amount of information showcasing the discrimination and hardship the Chinese faced during this particular period of time. My kids and myself are ABCs and other than learning about some of this in law school in constitutional law class, I never learned about any of the Chinese immigration experience except through my parents/grandparents.. and not as far back as the 1800s. Also- not sure if she was simply a volunteer or a director of some sort but we had a woman who worked at the museum who really took the time to show us the exhibits and explain the artifacts to us and especially our kids. Would definitely recommend this place to anyone in the area, chinese or non chinese.

When I visited other cities, I tried to find Chinatown.I was excited about Chicago Chinatown.I found this museum at Google.It was 1:40pm.The receptionist told me that it would close at 2pm.They accepted my $5 donation paid by credit card.I should have used Lincoln's $5 bill.It was interesting to learn history.I heard that many Chinese worked in order to build rails.I saw many pictures of both 19th century and 21st century.It was an interesting comparison.I learned current situations of the rails built by Chinese immigrants.I watched an informative video on Chinese immigrants in Chicago.I had to leave around 2pm.I wish I could stay for one more hour!

Wonderful museum in the heart of Chinatown. Although I am a history buff, there were still things about the Chinese American community I was unaware of until I went to this museum. About one hour is a good amount of time here. Stephen the tour guide was a delight to talk to.

Stumbled upon this real gem of a tiny museum tucked along a residential side street around the corner from the main thoroughfare in Chinatown. The displays give a glimpse into the lives and history of Chinese immigrants in the 1800s and 1900s. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommend a detour here.

DISCLAIMER: I work for the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum in San Francisco, so these folks are our Chicago colleagues. That's all. Freshly renovated, wonderful space in Chicago Chinatown that speaks about Chinese American history in the Windy City. The exhibits here are entirely curated by volunteers (!) though the content and the design are both professional and community-based. Topics range from Chinese American foodways (the history of tofu) to the history of Chinese Americans in Chicago's 1893 and 1933 world fair events. I'm pleased by what's being done here and hope that Chicagoans and tourists alike will see this as a valuable cultural resource.

The museum, one of the smaller and most modest museums in the country, only recently reopened after a devastating fire that gutted everything to just the brick walls. The museum has rebounded, opening its doors again on Sep. 25, 2010, just 6 days past the 2-year anniversary of the fire. So everything about the building is spanking new (except for most of its exhibit contents). No more creaky old floors left by the original produce merchant that donated the structure. All new walls, ceilings, lighting, and most important, a sprinkler system are evident. There is a parking lot attached to the building's west side, which is helpful since Chinatown is a difficult place to find a legal parking spot; but only about 5 spaces total. On the first floor is a reception area where you pay the inexpensive entrance fee. Their smaller gallery space is here. When we went, it contained a grouping of objects of play -- toys, games, celebration items, and musical instruments. A bit out of place were some mementos of Chinese-American military service in U.S. forces. If you look carefully, some items show indications that they survived the museum's fire, but just barely. On the second floor (accessible only by a staircase, no elevator) is the larger gallery, which this day was continuing to exhibit two business options that were open to untrained, Chinese immigrants in the last century, Chinese restaurants and Chinese hand laundries. Along with many small artifacts, a small tableau was set-up for each group; a mother-of-pearl inlaid dining table from Chiam Restaurant, seemingly ready for customers, and a typical pick-up/drop-off counter for a hand laundry, complete with tagged bundles wrapped in craft paper and various tools of the trade. This floor also displayed the artifacts of various local families, from their experiences entering the U.S. from China and then leaving the U.S. for visits back "home." Only a few families and businesses are represented because those are the people who contributed items for exhibit. This is a great place to visit that gives you a good background on how this Chinatown came to be. It's also a respite from the mainly commercial part of the neighborhood.

CHINATOWN TOUR - Take the Red Line, CTA buses: 21,24, 62 or a Water Taxi ( www.chicagowaatertaxi.com ), or car to Cermack and ENJOY! Q-Tips say: This tour was with a Groupon coupon. Mrs. Q says: DO NOT go with Groupon for the Chinatown Walking Tour - it is a waste of your hard earned money. The Q went two years ago on their own walking tour after stopping at the: Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, 21687 S. China Place - www.chicagochinatown.org Get yourself a FREE brochure which includes all the sightseeing stops, a detailed map of all the sights and stops and a explanation of each one. Also many restaurants you can choose from for Lunch, Dim Sum, or Dinner. Mrs. Q says: A must see is the Chinese American Museum of Chicago - there is a small fee but worth every penny. The Chinese American Museum of Chicago tells the story of how the Chinese came from the EAST and WEST COASTS because of discrimination and abuse to settle in the inner city of Chicago because Chicago is where they were accepted & then moved to the present location. How the Family Associations (no, not gangs) formed. Then the Q's were off to the: Buddhist Temple. Buddhism was brought to China from India around 200 AD and began to flourish due to the decline of the Han Dynasty and its strict Confucian beliefs. The basis of Buddhism preaches that suffering is inherent in life and one can only be liberated from it by mental and moral self-purification. Alice 34203 and 60660

Saw a sign on a building walking down the street, and that's how we found it! And so glad we did. Such a lovely, well-curated, interesting little museum that made me proud to be Chinese/American! It's also donation-based. Highly recommended!!

I love this place! First, When you go in. you start off with downstairs to see a wonderful exhibit. then you make your way up the stairs. Then you watch a short movie about the history of chinatown. And the people that traveled from far away and how they made it here. In the u.s. then there still more to see. And a gift shop. Its a wonderful place not as large as most museums in Chicago but a gem hidden for you to find. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. There is a suggested donation. And also becoming a member is also available if you're wondering about that. So feel free to speak with the front desk they're wonderful to speak with. Regarding any questions that you may have.

An excellent look back into the emigration of Chinese to Chicago. The exhibitions were 1st calls and the video was edited brilliantly. Definitely worth the donation.

Come here to check out one of the dragons they have in Chinese New Year parades, incredible recreations of Chicago's original Chinese - owned laundries and restaurants, and (I thought) a wonderful opening movie. I loved the YouTube videos they showed on wedding tradition and the mementos from Chinese - American veterans from Chicago. I spent a good hour in here and feel really happy about that. Bonus points for an immaculate bathroom. It practically glows. $3 suggested donation for students/children, $5 for adults.

Just went today with a group..excellent new display about the Chinese and building the railroad on the first floor.Very well done.Tours possible for groups or go alone.I think it is 5.00 donation.Allow about 1 hour.Then go eat lunch in Chinatown.Fab day! At the RED LINE stop.EASY!

Very educational, I enjoyed taking my kids there. They enjoyed the exhibits and the movie. It is a great opportunity to learn about Chinese-American culture while experiencing Chinatown.

I came here a few weeks ago before eating at a local Chinese restaurant. The museum, while not spectacular, is an interesting look at the history of Chinatown in Chicago. There is a 15 minute video upstairs that gives a history of Chinatown, and there are also exhibits. Admission is free, with a suggested donation. 4 stars/5

Not huge but definitely a good way to spend a little time in Chinatown. The building is very nice, well lighted. The visit starts with a fairly boring movie followed by a self guided tour of the exhibits. Just a suggested donation so really who can complain!

I went to this place a couple of years ago, and while it's certainly not one of Chicago's great museums, it's a nice and important part of Chinatown, with good prices and fine exhibits. Chicagoans in the area ought to drop by for a visit.

I first read about the Chinese American Museum of Chicago several years ago when it first opened on CNN. I was intrigued, and it was something Tony and I wanted to visit. During our visit in the museum, Tony struck up a conversation with Ruth Moy, one of the volunteers, and long time Chinatown resident. We learned a lot about the history of the Chinese in the Windy City, and the role her family, and her husband's family, played in the development of the city. I want to thank Ms. Moy for making our visit pleasurable and interesting - definitely one of the most memorable from our visits to various Chinese American musuems in the country. I enjoyed the exhibit on paper sons -including getting to read the original (and translated) paper son crib notes - and looking at various advertisements from different Chinatown restaurants and clubs from years gone by. The exhibits are a good illustration of the history of Chinese Americans in Chicago area.