Chinese Historical Society of America Museum

What a gem! The artwork within, that embraces & shows partially what a typical Chinese American household looked like in the past was fantastic. It was mindfully done, as a ton of elementary schools embark on field trips there. I only wish that they included the first strike within SF of which was successful, carried out by mostly female, Chinese laundry workers! Even before burly construction workers started unions out here! The Chinese female laundry workers started the first strike. 😉 They were the first to do it in the nation and they were successful. 😊❤️ The Bruce Lee exhibit is very well done. Deep, informative & inspirational. There are several stations throughout the exhibits where kids can draw, be creative & reflect on the exhibits. Overall, I rate it at 100.

We are what we eat? We are what we learn! A must visit in SFO to learn from recent history; what humans could do to other humans. Can u believe there were laws to punish people having long hair? Much more to learn. Go see.

Self guided tour, downstairs has a nice art display with local talent and upstairs has a nice history of SF Chinatown

A very informative and education experience. The docent Jeff Chinn is a very engaged storyteller. My kid & I had a great visit, we're sad that we forgot to break boards at the end of the tour of We Are Bruce Lee.

Being a lifelong martial artist, I appreciated the tour and learning many facts about this great master Bruce Lee that I just did not know! The Chinese Historical Society of America in San Francisco has an amazing tribute and exhibit on the life and work of Bruce Lee.

I finally made the “pilgrimage” to Bruce Lee’s birthplace, San Francisco. Currently there is an exhibition at the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum. I was fortunate to receive a personal tour by Jeff Chinn, a major collector of all things Bruce Lee. On his day off, he spent 1.5 hours with me! I now have many behind the scene stories to tell on Bruce Lee!

This museum is amazing! If you love Bruce Lee this is a must! So much to see and to know. I really enjoyed my time here.

Amazing place with many many events. In 3023 and 2024 ( and maybe beyond) they have a Bruce Lee exhibit. Also check out their film screenings, hand on at work shops, their Joy on Joyce art event in the alley next to the museum. They also have a nice gift shop.

I came here for the open house for the Bruce Lee exhibition about last year or two. It was a good layout of the main 3 rooms as have good history of Bruce Lee movies, props, memorabilia and videos. Bruce Lee knew he had to overcome racial and cultural stereotypes to achieve greatness. See original artwork and documents by Lee that showcase his tenacity and determination. Don't forget downstairs with the miniatures. The Chinatown Miniatures Collection was acquired by CHSA in 2004, as a donation from the artist, Frank Wong. This donation consisted of 7 miniatures of real scenes of Chinatown. The miniatures are on permanent display in CHSA'S Learning Center. They are part of an award-winning 2016 PBS documentary called, "Forever, Chinatown by Good Medicine Picture Company." Don't forget to catch the new Bruce Lee mural outside of Musuem in the alley wall.

Enter the Dragon. Bruce Lee exhibit will run thru 2017. I came with my son and he absolutely enjoy it. The entrance fee is high for a museum of this size and I think there are Groupon discounts available from time to time. The downstairs 6-7 size miniature rooms turned out to be an absolute find and they were so spot on with the details (mahjong, steamed buns, abacus). My son was fascinated by the video clips of Bruce speaking and also of his daughter speaking. It was also heartwarming to see Bruce Lee's journey to break stereotypes but to also build communities across racial barriers.

Attended a book talk with author Natalie Wong and her book, Mahjong. CHSA hosted a wonderful evening of snacks from local businesses (baos, dim sum, don tots oh soooo good), Natalie's book talk and some rounds of mahjong with new friends! Thank you, CHSA.

An unknown gem within SFs Chinatown. We went to see the Bruce Lee Exhibit and happened to catch the Docents' tour. He was very friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. So much history in such a small venue. Excellent. Thank you!

I remember visiting last September now for a community event. There was some dim sum to share. I went back it's February Chinese New Year. There were some party favors and Bruce Lee again. Books by a children's book creator I have met already years ago. I saw Richmond, San Jose, Napa, and Chinatown...ok and Maryland and New York hahahahha

Enter the Dragon. Had Bruce Lee lived, he would've just celebrated his 82nd birthday on November 27. His tragic death nearly half a century ago assured his enduring legacy, and since he was born in San Francisco, it was only appropriate that a comprehensive exhibition spotlighting his life and influence is the current main attraction of this red brick museum located on the Nob Hill incline of Clay Street. I have to admit I didn't even know this museum existed until I happened to walk by and saw a photo of chef Brandon Jew and his family on a window (photo: https://bit.ly/3XHNPtR) and realized this building represented a historical cultural center over the first two floors. There was original art to peruse and admire, in particular Jodie Lyn-Kee-Chow's "Picnic Parade" (photo: https://bit.ly/3ua4h8v) and the Chinatown miniatures made by Frank Wong. However, right now it's all about Bruce through historical photos, handwritten letters, movie posters, memorabilia, and a particularly interesting video clip of his 1964 audition to play Kato on "The Green Hornet" (video: https://bit.ly/3OK5mgZ). His self-assurance was clear from the outset. There's a large interactive mural that showcases the high points of his all too brief career. Admission was $12, and it's worth checking out especially if you're a fan. RELATED - Exploring Chinatown? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2WoF1Z2

A bit disappointing. The Bruce Lee semi-permanent exhibit was great. But there's hardly anything else in the museum. The focal point of the rest of the museum was a small room with some exhibits about the history and impact of Chinese American women. But the Bruce Lee exhibit was worth the price of admission by itself. We got lucky and got a tour by a expert docent who loaned a lot of the memorabilia to this exhibit. We need to raise money for the museum for space to do a better job for the Chinese American community.

You need to see this! If you have even the slightest knowledge of who Bruce Lee was, you should visit and learn even more. This is a low-key museum with Bruce Lee history and paraphernalia, most of it on loan from Jeff Chinn who we were fortunate enough to meet and chat with today. The admission fee is only $12 ($10 for seniors) and is well worth it. Learn about Bruce Lee's philosophy regarding martial arts, water, change, and much more. And there's a small gift shop across the street which features t-shirts, posters, hats, etc. Parking: I like the underground garage at Portsmouth Square, accessible when driving north on Kearney.

Bruce Lee was my hero since childhood and I was excited to hear about his display at the museum. I saw some amazing clothing and pictures of Bruce Lee. I learned a lot going to the Chinese Historical Society of America.

My husband and I really enjoyed the Bruce Lee guided docent tour given by Jeff Chinn. He provided most of the displayed artifacts and memorabilia in the collection, and he volunteers at the museum on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Jeff has a wonderful sense of humor and knows many fascinating Bruce Lee stories. He is very passionate and knowledgeable about Bruce Lee. The guided tour really elevated the experience, and made the objects in the museum much more meaningful. It was wonderful to hear how Bruce Lee affected and influenced his life in a positive way. Jeff has such a rich in depth understanding of Bruce Lee. It was such a pleasure to listen to him. We learned so much; things that would have been easily missed if we did the tour ourselves. I enjoyed seeing the Living in Chinatown miniature displays in the basement as well. We parked at the Portsmouth Square Garage, and walked a couple of blocks to the museum. After the docent guided tour, we took a break and went to Matcha Cafe Maiko for a matcha soft serve and black sesame latte, then we came back to the museum to look at the displays more carefully on our own. We bumped into Jeff again, and he told us how he came to acquire one of Bruce Lee's movie outfits, which was an interesting story. Before leaving Chinatown, we stopped by Yummy Bakery for their delicious egg tarts and waited a few minutes for fresh baked pineapple buns, which were super soft, and the pineapple topping was super crispy.

Came here for the We Are Bruce Lee exhibit. As someone who used to work on art and educational exhibits, this was wonderful. It is truly a great location for this particular exhibit. It's not a super huge or extensive exhibit space, and I feel like the exhibit barely touched the surface of Bruce Lee's story and impact. I am selfish and wished the space was bigger to tell more and show more stories, art, and memorabilia. I enjoyed the immersive mural the most and spent the most time there watching the projections that made the murals a dynamic piece of art. The downstairs level showed a couple more local stories about Bruce Lee's impact on the black community and on the world of hip hop. Tickets were $10 each for adults, and there were a couple of other minor exhibits by Asian American artists to check out too. There is a gift shop next door to purchase items that are inspired by Bruce Lee and the exhibit. Parking is terrible, but we got lucky and found a spot right in front and it was a Sunday so it was free. Something to consider if you're figuring out when to go. Overall, I encourage you to check it out and support this space!

Although I teach English, I know the important of history! What a place to celebrate Chinese New Year! I loved the Bruce Lee exhibits, especially teaching me about Lee's love for philosophy, his practice, and his international, cross-cultural impact. The exhibits on the connection between Lee and the Black community made me so proud to see such racial solidarity! The SF Bay loved Lee! Seattle loved Lee! Everyone loved Lee! Such an inspiring man and museum space to honor a great human being! This place is intimate and cozy; it felt like community even though it was my first time here. Great place to bookmark for a date, family outing, or personal treat. Gotta come back!

We Loved the We Are Bruce Lee tour... Very informative and it gives you a deeper look into the life of a great human being. A man who accomplished so much in such a short time. Bruce Lee connected to so many people around the world. He motivated thousands of people to become the best versions of themselves. Jeff Chinn is huge collector of Bruce Lee items and a wonderful and super informative tour guide at the we are Bruce Lee Museum. If you are in the San Fransico area, you must visit we are Bruce Lee exhibit. We Are Bruce Lee not only stands as a tribute to one of San Francisco's most beloved sons, it also marks a new chapter for the Chinese Historical Society of America.

It's been years when they had Bruce Lee exhibit. The last time I remember was in Seattle. Great to see some of his works, especially the dumbbells he was using. My family was luckily enough to meet a nice gentleman that knows so much about Bruce. I believe he volunteer his time in there just talking about Bruce Lee, which I was very facilitating about. Love the small room where they did a projector showing Bruce's arts or collage.

Such a great museum to visit! They have very well curated information and a strong focus on local community. Go check out their Bruce Lee exhibit! We were lucky enough to get a personal tour from collector Jeff Chinn. He was a wealth of fantastic information about Bruce Lee, we learned so much!! Did you know Bruce was a cha cha dancer? Neither did we!! Go check out the exhibit for more Bruce Lee fun facts, the staff are super friendly and the exhibits are awesome!

Housed in a Julia Morgan-designed building in Chinatown, the Chinese Historical Society of America might be more of a draw were it more obvious about its intentions. That name doesn't exactly roll off the tongue and it'd be clearer to all were it simply called the "Chinese Historical Museum". In the intimate though multi-roomed space, the CHSoA manages to provide a bit of Chinese history and a bit of art. The whole thing is an interesting little diversion that'll take less than 1 hour to enjoy and then you can get back to your day. Alternatively, it might be just the excuse you're seeking as a reason to visit Chinatown. On the plus side: 1) Admission is totally free and 2) there's clean restrooms downstairs. There's also a small gift shop on site. And, for counter-balance, I offer this small gripe: In each room they have some audibly narrated film or video running. Trying to concentrate on what one is reading is particularly difficult when there's a background narrative (no, I can't read while the tv is on either). If this is your peeve too, consider carrying with you some noise-cancelling headphones. The CHSoA barely scratches the surface of the Chinese in San Francisco but that doesn't mean that what they have isn't worthy. More likely you'll visit, become intrigued by something you saw, read, or heard, and take that information with you to research further on your own. Exhibits change regularly so there's even reason to return. This museum flies under the radar of most but it's definitely worthy of a small piece of your time. And at that price, what've you got to lose?

The architecture of this space is simply beautiful. It is what I expect from Julia Morgan, architect of the Berkeley Club and San Simeon. The people working at the CHS are super nice and helpful. My daughter and I especially enjoyed the museum. It was a wonderful space for my baby to run around - they had a lot of interactive exhibits that was kid friendly. The exhibits on Chinese Exclusion was especially thoughtful. We got to see a recreation of what it was like to sit in a cell on Angel Island and be grilled by immigration officers. It really gave me some perspective of what my ancestors had to go through to fight for a place in this country. I felt so thankful that their activism to fight for equality led for the opportunity for me to be an America citizen. The exhibits literally brought tears to my eyes to learn the hardships that they faced. Hands down, this was a wonderful museum. I was so glad to come here and also bring my daughter so she could learn about her heritage.

Great museum on the history of Chinese in the area. Especially enjoyed their Angel island tributes having been there. It's a great collection of art, history and memorabilia. Important for all to visit. And the wonderful miniatures made by Frank Wong are especially endearing. Highly recommend!!!

Great tribute to Bruce Lee, his family, martial artists and fans who grew up watching and mimicking all his moves as kids. I'm only giving 2 stars because it took 6-months to receive the Special collector's edition three year membership cards. After asking about the membership cards during three separate visits to the museum, I finally received the cards a month after trading emails with the executive director Justin Hoover. Along with the cards, I was offered a couple of Bruce Lee t-shirts which I never received in the mail (maybe lost in the mail?). One more email to the executive director but no reply this time.Hard for me to support an organization that doesn't take care of its members. I'll enjoy the remaining time of my membership with an occasional visit to see all the great Bruce Lee memorabili.

What an awesome find! First off: this is small! So temper your expectations based on that. But what is there is amazing. 1) In a beautifully designed Julia Morgan building with many of the original details preserved and on display 2) Great history - it gives a solid and immersive experience in American history related to Chinese immigrants - something we've seen with numerous other groups and is very much relevant to the conversations happening today. This is why it's 5 stars. This is why everyone should visit. We've got to learn about these things so we stop making the same stupid mistakes over and over. 3) Wonderful employees, good gift shop, and fun too.

Came here to do some research on my family and learned a lot! There are four main pieces. There is a huge section which talks about the immigration and labor history of Chinese. Second, there is a culture and customs section on cultural changes such as how garments changed over time and how people lived in Chinatown. In the culture section is an archive area in honor of Him Mark Lai where you can do research based upon the study of his roots project. A third exhibit is from the 1915 international expo which offended the Chinese community with scandalous portrayals of drug opium dens. The final section is a guest curated section featuring the custom of lion dancing. Housed in the old Julia Morgan building which for many years was a YWCA, entrance fee is free. Street parking anywhere in Chinatown is difficult. If you are a tourist interested in learning about Chinese history without the commercialism, this place is a great stop. A couple of takeaways for me? There are roughly only 4 million Chinese people in the US. I also had this old spoon like thing on my shelf and found out it was sometimes used to measure opium.

Amazing exhibit! I learned a lot about Jackie Chan and I'm excited to keep coming back and learning more about history.

I didn't realize the museum closed so early (I think 4:30) and upon entry the staff person said there was only 15 minutes remaining. I asked if we could have a peek inside. Her reply: $15! I said all we want is a little look. Her reply, a loud: $15! That was so shockingly uncivilized. Made me feel grateful the Asian Art Museum is my membership museum. They have always been courteous to visitors. If you want to make a good impression about Chinese, start by training your staff.

I went to the Chinese Historical Society of America to check out the museum. Admission $3. Small museum you probably can see in about 1hr. Main gallery is showing exhibit called "The Chinese of America: Toward a More Perfect Union" - about the Chinese coming to the US during the 19th Century through today. Another room had "Architecture of SF Chinatown" - video you can watch. The building was designed by Julia Morgan for the Chinatown YWCA (relocated), now it's for the Chinese Historical Society of America in Chinatown. Website: http://www.chsa.org

We came to the Chinese Historical Society of America to see the Underground Chinatown exhibit. For those architecturally inclined, the building is a Julia Morgan design. But first we saw Frank Wong's Chinatown Miniatures Collection in the main gallery. It was cool to see miniature rolls of toilet paper, a box of Oreos, rice cooker, packages of laundry, and a wok, among other things. Perhaps the most amazing thing we saw was the mini mahjong tile set and table. Naturally, you have to go downstairs to the see the Underground Chinatown exhibit. At the base of the stairs is a huge mural from the PPIE's Joy Zone. I thought that was a little incongruous since the PPIE was located nowhere near Chinatown. There are period pictures of Chinatown on display, most of which are not flattering. Lots of images from opium dens. There is also a map of Chinatown in the 1880's. I noticed most of the street names are still the same. It's amazing how that "census" listed so many gambling houses and houses of prostitution. Some opium pipes are on display, including information on how they were used. Other drug paraphernalia is on display, including scales. Movie clips on how Asians were depicted in the cinema is on endless loop (you can see non-Asians playing Asians). The exhibit was smaller than I expected, I was hoping for more. Back upstairs is an exhibit on the Transcontinental Railroad. Above it is a beautiful lion head like you would see in the Chinese New Year Parade. Best of all: the museum is free!

Free for the month of November and December 2011 thanks to corporate sponsors! Yay! I am of Cantonese descent and I took my parents to the Museum when they came to visit. It's a small museum (you can walk the entire thing in 30 minutes-1 hour) but it was quite an interesting place. It was interesting learning that most of the men that built the railroad came from the Pearl Delta Region which is where my parents came from. It was cool experience having my parents point out where on the map of China we came from. There's a cool exhibit of an artist right now that is on display as well with great use of water color depicting scenes of Chinese from the gold rush and the 50's and 60's. Exhibits are in both Chinese and English which is great for all generations.

This was a nice museum located in the heart of Chinatown. Seeing as the Chinese were imperative in the development of the railroads, they have a major history in the Bay area. Sinophobia (discrimination of Chinese peoples), experiences as members of an increasing working class, and the opium trade were displayed in exhibits in the form of art. It doesn't have the organization of the other, more regulated museums. No security, no fees, nothing. It's kinda walk in, walk out...it would have been much better had their been someone at a front desk showing people around. I'm not sure if I saw everything but after asking some of the people who I think were managing it, I believe I saw most of it. A very interesting museum...

If you ever wondered how chinatown came to be the way it is this is the place to go find out. It's a smaller museum that perfectly relates the chinese american experience in San Francisco. Parking? Yeah, no. Theoretically there is street parking on what is for San Francisco, a mildly steep hill, which is pretty steep by non-SF standards. Between that and the school next door there is no parking. Portsmouth Square garage is your closest parking option. Since you'll be walking, mind what I said about that hill. Unless you are young and in good condition this will be a small yomp. While one of the smaller museums this makes an excellent use of space and the downstairs section is brutal in it's unflinching appraisal of certain historical events. This is not an interactive museum, and while there are some videos, if you are not into reading this will be a short trip. Also not the best for small children. For most this will take roughly an hour to cover. EDIT: THE MUSEUM IS NO LONGER FREE ADMISSION Donations are always welcome. An essential stop if you want an understanding of how exactly how chinatown in it's current form came to be.

A small museum, but filled with lots of history and information. The small space was well organized and flowed well. Easily spent about 40 minutes there, could've been even longer if I spent the time to read every single thing. The person working there was friendly, overall a good place to visit and learn about some Chinese-American history.

YAY, another FREE thing to do in SF. They're closed on Sunday though... Museum is awesome and every Chinese American should visit this place. I appreciate my heritage, history, and culture so much more now.

I visited on the first weekend of their grand reopening. Upon entrance, I wasn't sure where to begin walking since the exhibits were scattered all over the place, instead of being organized as a timeline with guided signs to direct people like other museums. I was disappointed by how small the exhibits were - the entire museum was the size of a large room. Even while walking at a snail pace and stopping to read each description, it took under 20 minutes to loop the facility. The gift shop was a joke. Everything was almost exclusively in English with no Chinese translation, meaning the museum was devoted to pleasing only westernized visitors (despite the fact that it is located in a predominantly Chinese speaking and literate community). Why the barrier? Did they think that Chinese locals wouldn't be interested in reading about their own history? Also, the historical descriptions were written by a very high level researcher that used long-winded, dull, academic language and vocabulary that was inappropriate for the general audience. Even I didn't enjoy reading them, and I'm in regular contact with academic writing. I was expecting glass displays of artifacts and little remnants of Chinese migrant items (e.g., early clothing, kitchenware, railroad tools, Chinese-American manufactured goods), but there were perhaps a total 5 individual pieces. On a positive note, however, the museum featured attractive use of visuals, good story-telling, and the expertly crafted miniature "doll house" representations of Chinese American homes from the 1950s. Ultimately, this museum was a disappointment, and requiring a $15 entrance fee on non-free days is incredulous.

I haven't been back to this museum for over 15 years and it has changed since. The museum is very nice and clean. I was so fascinated by all of the displays. There's so many things I didn't know about the Chinese history in SF Chinatown even though I grew up there. This museum used to be a YWCA back in the days. It's not a large museum but we still stayed for two hours to see everything. There's also a small gift shop inside to the right of the entrance and a restrooms downstairs. There's a room in the museum where you can view a video of Fong Fong's Bakery - Ice Cream that used to be in SF Chinatown. Also, miniature displays of Frank Wong's creations of his memories when he was growing up in SF Chinatown. Frank Wong's creations is what drove me to return for a visit to this museum. Many other displays to see throughout the whole museum. Street parking or Portsmouth Square is the closest parking lot but you have to pay per hour. I highly recommend to visit this museum.

This humble museum is a must if you're interested in San Franciscan history, American history, immigration during the 1800s and as it relates to present day, Chinese American history, and identity. The museum was interactive, thought-provoking, and poignant in its story-telling.

CHSA is a great community resource that has been around for long time - co-founded by hubby's grand uncle too - and it's current location is in the old Julia Morgan-designed YWCA buliding. After a freaking nightmare experience with Imperial Tea Court - see my review here http://www.yelp.com/biz/imperial-tea-court-san-francisco-2#hrid:RMeV0tuyzIxzn7MShynkvQ - the hubby had a great idea, why not have our Chinese wedding tea ceremony at CHSA instead? Beautiful, historically significant, culturally relevant. We inquired, looked at the small center garden, and the price was right (you can actually write it off as a donation), so we booked it. They are very easy going, allowed us to use the kitchen to prepare tea, and luckily it's not ever crowded. I wanted the fountain turned on but did not see that happen, and we were not able to get a parking space reserved in back, but it all went over fine in the end and the backdrop was gorgeous.

One of the only places to learn about Chinese American history starting in the 1800s, this museum and learning center has year-round exhibits which reflect the Chinese American perspective on history. The current earthquake exhibit is the ONLY ethnically oriented perspective on the San Francisco 1906 Great Quake and Fire. In conjunction with the exhibit, the CHSA is hosting a series of lectures and performances too. Definitely worth checking out!

I really like museums...being chinese american I really wanted to LOVE this museum. But I guess I was a little bit disappointed. Awesome that there is an entire museum dedicated to the history of the Chinese in America. Totally important, particularly all of the migrant workers who sacraficed everything to come here and work, etc. I was kinda hoping that there would be a little bit more than that...I was hoping for some things that were more current, yes part of our recent history too. We have made great strides in the last 100 years but the museum focuses mostly on the 1800s. I probably will not go back but I am still glad this museum is here. Not trying to bust my own peeps' chops but I learned everything that is in this museum in a couple hours.

I was strolling around the neighborhood and came upon the Chinese Historical Society of America. Since I am Chinese, I figured I owed it to my heritage to stop by. Apparently, admission is $5 but I totally missed the person in the front and I didn't even realize I was supposed to pay until 5 minutes ago (when I saw someone else's Yelp review). I suppose my 4 star review is contingent on my "free" visit. Upon further consideration, for $5, I'd give it 3 stars. Anyway, the building that houses the museum was built by Julia Morgan. Although it has some distinctly "Chinese" features on the inside, she tried to stay away from the stereotypical shapes on the exterior. As a Chinese person, I appreciate that as too many buildings in Chinatowns throughout the US look like they're mocking Chinese culture. The main museum area is pretty small but it covers Chinese-American history from the 1800s to today. There are a lot of pictures to look at, videos to watch, artifacts to enjoy. On the stage area, there is currently an exhibition of fantastic watercolors by Jake Lee that depict life of Chinese immigrants. These are not to be missed. I'm not really sure if this review is that useful. Again, it's 4 stars based on my experience; 3 stars if I had to pay $5; 2.5 stars if I wasn't Chinese or particularly interested in Chinese history.

A small museum - but don't like the size fool you, this place is filled with rich history. They have videos throughout the museum (offered in English and Cantonese) for patrons to learn more as they walk through specific areas.

Being a first generation American this was so cool to see. I've never heard of this place until I saw a billboard for it outside of a bus and I told my boyfriend I wanted to check it out. We came during the free Sunday and unfortunately came 40 mins before closing. We looked around and tried to read as much as we can but he also wanted to check out the gift shop. We ended up buying 3 books - one which was about Chinese customs. It's such a neat book because it discusses why we celebrate certain holidays and why we eat those items during that time. Growing up with those traditions and customs I never truly knew why or what it was about. The museum is actually located 2 blocks from my work place in which they invited us to come check it out with a docent tour. We all took a field trip and got to learn so much more on the tour with the docent that we may not actually know or read/see at the exhibit.

We stumbled upon this museum during a recent tourist soujourn to Chinatown. After a long morning and early afternoon of walking we figured we would stop into somewhere flat, and this museum, which is advertised only on the banners throughout Chinatown, was the perfect fit. The museum, located in San Francisco's original YWCA building, features an exhibition documenting the history of Chinese immigrants in the city, showing the progress of Chinese immigration from crossings to integration. with the dark periods in between, as well as the various professions into which early immigrants entered. Admission to the museum is only $5 for adults, which is reasonable given that one can easily spend an hour there and it is a very fascinating topic. The only downside, as always with museums, is that there is not enough for my taste, but I am a history buff, so my expectation are always extreme. So, if you are looking for an informative museum on a unique part of the San Francisco experience, or are just looking for a break from climbing the hills of the Financial district and Chinatown, stop here. You will not be disappointed.

FREE! now that I have your attention, let me qualify by saying admission here is free on the first Thursday of the month...which fortuitously is when we happened to stop by. Hubby is a museum freak and can immerse himself in one without getting bored. I on the other hand can do so under a time limit. The size of this one lent itself perfectly to my limitations so I was engaged the entire visit. The exhibits traced the journey of the Chinese immigrants in America. I was fascinated by some of the facts and while I do absorb and seek out Chinese American heritage, I found material here that I had not seen elsewhere. The missing paintings of Jake Lee is unique to San Francisco, but other exhibits are less local and pertain to the Chinese immigration in North America. I highly recommend that you visit if you are of Chinese heritage and especially if your relatives came to America prior to and around the 1950's because the information is very relevant to your heritage. It is located in a quiet section of Chinatown on Clay Street.

I had no idea this was here until I googled "free museums in San Francisco" and it popped up! I headed over after I went to the Cable Car Museum because they are quite close to one another. Although it's a rather small museum it definitely packs a punch. The exhibits were very informative and interesting, and I learned a lot about the lives of Chinese immigrants throughout the 18 and 1900s. I didn't know that Angel Island was the Ellis Island of the West! They also have a little movie playing as you walk in on the right side, and you can sit down and relax for a bit. The only thing I found annoying here was that one of the exhibits continuously played a recording of a man questioning a Chinese person. It was quite distracting to me as I was trying to read some of the other informational exhibits.

This was a great place to stop in and learn some history of some of the first Chinese immigrants to the U.S. The museum is basically composed of a few rooms with large poster boards describing various events, some video, some exhibits, etc. I found it to be very educational and interesting. I took the time to explore all of the exhibits, read most of them, and was in and out in less than an hour. I was very impressed that the exhibit is completely free and am curious how they keep it running. I enjoyed this museum much more than many of the paid ones I've attended elsewhere, and encourage you to make a donation if you have a chance to stop in and check this place out.

Great exhibitions thoughtfully displayed an essential part of SF history that every resident And visitor should know

I visited the Chinese Historical Society of America, San Francisco on May 24, 2017, and was pleasantly surprised by this little gem. Although living in the bay area, I only stumbled upon this museum while biking in the neighborhood. It's housed in an unassuming-looking building in a quieter part of SF Chinatown. You wouldn't know from the outside that it's actually a Julia Morgan building, the same architect who designed the Hearst Castle. What impressed me the most was the quality of its exhibition. Its content is thoroughly documented, with lots of commentary. The part on U.S. immigration policy is particularly significant in this city because early Chinese immigration in San Francisco was the origin of several Supreme Court cases that established the U.S. immigration legal framework, and some of the same issues are still hotly debated today. The museum's exhibition puts faces behind this and many other stories, such as the first group of children sent over to study by the Qing government, and the effect of shifting domestic politics in China, from Qing to the republic to Mao, on Chinese Americans. In addition, I thought the museum displays were interesting and effective. Unlike other smaller museums I had visited where mountains of artifacts are placed for visitors to figure out. In this museum, artifacts are selective, but with varied multi-medium presentations that one wouldn't expect from a small museum. I was genuinely moved by the exhibition. One thing to note is that except for a few original artifacts and documentations, all text and recordings in the exhibition are in English. Those who don't understand English may not be able to follow the presentations. The museum staff were helpful and polite. I sensed in them genuine care and pride in what they do.

I come here on the 1st thursday of the Month in July which was after July 4th which was free I saw this in the cheap sf website. I also learn that Chinatown wasn't badly damage by the Earthquake it was destroyed by the great fire. But the great fire wasn't that great until they use dynamites to stop the fire but actually turn it in the unstoppable Great Fire. I also work upstairs in the apartment of this place.

As an American of Chinese descent, this museum is near and dear to my heart. However, I would hope that ANYONE visiting Chinatown would take the time to stop in here to gain some understanding of the true nature of the place and its people. Try taking home some knowledge and understanding--the most precious of souvenirs!

A really beautiful place. Housed in (I believe) a Julia Morgan, the many exhibits tell the story of the Chinese population in San Francisco and the West, starting in the mid 1800's. There are several priceless photos and some interesting artifacts, and the combined exhibits do justice to the rich history of the local Chinese population. Worth a visit! For the ultimate experience, read a Jade Snow Wong book before you go.

I've been here several times and brought my mom and my children. It's a great place to learn a lot without having to spend a whole day in one place. I've been to other museums in Asia and in S.F. and I get tired of looking at the old chinaware, jade, wine cups and bronze stuff. I've been on too many school fieldtrips as a chaperone... it's just stuff to look at. (After a while, they all look alike) The CHSA, I get to read about the culture, lifestyles and know what my ancestors did to make a living and the conditions of the time. You see it, read it, feel it and I can have open discussions with my children about it.