The Chinese American Museum of Chicago (CAMOC) aspires to preserve the past, present, and future of Chinese Americans in the American Midwest via exhibitions, teaching, and research. The museum opened in 2005 in Chinatown. Despite a fire in 2008, the Raymond B. & Jean T. Lee Center reopened in 2010. The Chinatown Museum Foundation, a Chicago-based non-profit, governs CAMOC. The museum was erected in 1896 as a storehouse for the Quong Yick Co. The museum closed in September 2008 due to a fire. A food wholesale firm was located in the museum building, and Raymond B. Lee gave $660,000 to buy it. Lee, who slept on the third floor as a teen, has donated another $250,000 for upgrades. The Raymond B. & Jean T. Lee Center reopened in 2010. Second floor permanent exhibit "Great Wall to Great Lakes: Chinese Immigration to the Midwest '' talks of immigrant journeys to Chicago and beyond; when, how and why Chinese immigrants crossed the country to live in the Midwest. My Chinatown: Stories from Within is a 16-minute documentary on the second level about the inhabitants of Chinatown, their trips, customs, work and families. The Chinese American Museum and the Chicago History Museum collaborated on the video. The first-floor temporary exhibit "Attic Treasures II'' spotlights a number of previously unexhibited artefacts. The goods include antique furniture, photos, paintings, jewelry, teapots, and other heirlooms. During the COVID-19 pandemic closures, the museum offers a virtual tour of the exhibit. The Way We Wore: Celebrating Chinese Fashion Heritage featured donations and loans from the Chinese community. Everything from family photos to personal jewelry sets were donated or loaned to the museum by locals and visitors alike. The Railroad exhibition opened on February 10, 2019.
In the 1800s, Chinese immigrants played a vital role in building America's first Transcontinental Railway, which was titled "The Chinese Helped Build the Railroad–The Railroad Helped Build America." The bilingual show, which includes images by Li Ju, honors the 12,000 Chinese workers who built the railway and recreates their daily lives. The Chinese Railroad Workers in North America Initiative at Stanford University, Li Ju, and the Chinese Historical Society of America organized the project. The show began on March 2, 2019. We celebrate Chinese New Year with live music, lion dancing, calligraphy and excellent food. Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the 2021 Chinese New Year was virtual.
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