Presentations and Workshops

We offer presentations on selected topics on Chicago Chinese history.

Chinatown Walking Tours

Our one-hour walking tours are an easy and pleasant way to learn about the historic social, economic and cultural center of Chicago's Chinese community, the southside Chinatown at Cermak (22nd) St. and Wentworth Ave. We offer these tours to groups year-round, with advance notice, although winter months are not recommended due to harsh weather and poor walking conditions. In 2003, with our partner, the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, we served over 400 visitors to Chicago Chinatown, not only tourist groups, such as the city's Great Places and Spaces tour, but students from kindergarten to college, senior citizens, and Chinese adoptees and their families. We request a nominal donation depending on the size of the group; all funds go towards program development. Book a tour today!

Speakers' Bureau

Historical Society members are actively engaged in Chinese Chicagoan life and speak authoritatively on Chinese and Asian American history and culture. Our members have given talks at the Chicago Public Library Chinatown Branch, for organizations such as the Leadership Center for Asian Pacific Americans, the Organization of Chinese Americans Chicago Chapter, Lake Forest College, North Park University, Kansas University, Ohio State University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Chicago, the Midwest Asian American Student Union and the East Coast Student Union. Last year we spoke to over 200 people about the life of our community. We request a small honorarium for our time and travel, which goes towards our programs. Contact us about your topic, target audience, and planned lecture date!

Oral History Program

We are actively seeking the oral histories and personal statements of as many individuals and families as possible, from as many segments of society and life as possible. Our primary focus at this time are the lives of Chinese Chicagoans who were here before the end of WWII, although we will interview any and all Chicagoans of Chinese descent.

Archive Development

We're looking for material relating to Chinese life in Chicago and the midwest, no matter how big or small. We aim to create a large archive of materials related to the Chinese experience in the midwest. Please donate your own or your ancestors' collections of personal effects and papers to the Society.

Exhibit Development

We are working to develop exhibits in partnership with community organizations and government agencies in the Chicagoland area.

Consulting

We are providing historical consulting on documentaries being produced by local organizations. We have donated time to a number of Chicago Public School students seeking information for the annual History Fair.

Publishing

We publish news and information electronically on our website and through email. In the near future, we'll be publishing materials in print through circulars and monographs on selected topics relating to Chinese Chicago life.