ArchivesSpace Public Interface

Abstract This oral history interviewed Fay Chew Matsuda, director of the City Hall Senior Center, a division of the Hamilton-Madison House, and her life story. Fay grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan as the first generation Chinese-American girl born to immigrant parents. Fay would describe herself as a nurturing environment with parents who never pressured her to succeed and instilled in her values of the importance of family and togetherness, and respectation. Fay attended the elite Hunter...

Abstract Harriet Tung, the grand daughter of Lt. General Ying Hsing Wen, discusses life of her grandfather life and his lasting legacy. Lt. Gen. Ying Tsing Wen (b. 1887), MOCA 2018 Legacy Awards Gala honoree, enriched the U.S. China relationship as a critical time given what seemed to be irreparable damage caused by the Boxer Rebellion. After becoming the first Asian graduate of West Point Military Academy in 1909, he returned to China and served in military and civilian positions in the Republican...

Abstract

In this interview, Tina and John Yuan share the journey of their families from China to Taiwan, where they were born, to the US, where they met and built their own family. They mention their parents’ experiences in China, their early childhood in Taiwan, culture shocks when migrating to the US during the 1970s, adolescent school years, the encounters of Chinese communities, and fostering their son as a Chinese American.

Abstract

Margaret Lam, MOCA 8th Annual Celebration of Community Heroes Honoree in 2019, distinguished philanthropist and Vice President of the New Jersey Chinese-American Chamber of Commerce. Margaret talks about growing up in Hong Kong and her journey to the US. She goes on to discuss her assimilation into American culture and how she went about bringing together the NJ Chinese community.

Abstract This is an oral history interview with Maxine Hong Kinston on Nov 15th 2018 by Nancy Yao Maasbach for MOCA Legacy Award tribute video and a family journey. Maxine Hong Kingston born on October 27, 1940, is a Chinese American author and Professor Emerita at the University of California, Berkeley, where she graduated with a BA in English in 1962. Kingston has written three novels and several works of non-fiction about the experiences of Chinese Americans. This interview talked about her...

Abstract

Rita and Patrick Lee are first-generation Chinese Americans. In this interview, they address memories including Patrick’s journey from Hong Kong to America, the development of Patrick’s financial career, his business philosophy, their parenting philosophy, and their Chinese identity. They also bring family photos to the interview and give a short description to each of them.

Abstract

Richard and Jane Liu briefly talk about their early lives in China and Taiwan. Richard discusses his time working for a newspaper in Taiwan before moving to NY to work as an editor for a newspaper in Chinatown. The two further discuss their thoughts on child rearing and the current political climate of country for Chinese Americans.

Abstract

In this interview, Wong family representatives, David, Nancy, and their mother discuss their early lives in Colorado, move to California and LA, their lives in San Francisco at school and at their grocery store, and family history of paper sons. This interview was conducted in English with few conversations in Toishanese.

Abstract Tzi Ma, pioneering actor whose stage/TV/film performances have delighted audiences worldwide, challenged Hollywood stereotypes and broken down barriers for Asian American/Pacific Islanders. MOCA 2019 Legacy Awards Gala honoree, talks about growing up on Staten Island and working in his parent’s restaurant. He goes on to discuss how he got into theater during grade school and how it drove his acting career. The conversation progresses to his acts of activism during his teens and his...