Chinese Historical Society of Southern California
# Chinese Historical Society of Southern California

Chinese Historical Society of Southern California (CHSSC, Chinese: 南加州華人歷史學會; pinyin: Nán Jiāzhōu Huárén Lìshǐ Xuéhuì) is an organization based in Los Angeles Chinatown, California.

## History

On November 1, 1975, the society held its founding meeting at Cathay Bank in Los Angeles, California. Its key attendees include Paul Louie, William Mason, and Paul De Falla.

Its mission is as follows:

* To bring together people with a mutual interest in the important history and historical role of Chinese and Chinese Americans in Southern California;
* To pursue, preserve and communicate knowledge of this history; and
* To promote the heritage of the Chinese and Chinese American community in support of a better appreciation of our rich, multi-cultural society.

CHSSC is an active historical society in Southern California. There are monthly meetings, field trips, archive and library collections, oral history projects, scholarships, and publications.

They purchased the site of their present building in Bernard Street in the mid 1990s, constructing a Chinatown Heritage & Visitors Center, which is open to the public.

## Projects

CHSSC has published several books; Duty & Honor in 1998, celebrating Chinese American world war II veterans, and Portraits of Pride I (2004) & II (2012), collections of the biographies of high achieving, yet little known Chinese Americans.

### 19th Century Chinese Memorial Shrine Preservation Project

In 1992, the society was able to purchase an 1880 shrine, surrounded by 42 burial places in Evergreen Cemetery, which they restored. It is now a registered historic monument.

## CHSSC Honorees

Each year the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California honors Chinese Americans who have made significant contributions to the greater Los Angeles community. They have included:

* 2005 - Los Angeles Chinese American Pioneers in Law — Betty Tom Chu, Judge Rose Hom, You Chung Hong (1898-1977), Judge Ronald S.W. Lew (Chinese name: 刘成威), Judge Jennifer Lum, Judge Delbert Wong, Debra Yang (Chinese: 楊黃金玉)
* 2006 - Chinese American Actors — including James Hong (Chinese: 吳漢章), Nancy Kwan (Chinese: 關家蒨), Russell Wong (Chinese: 王盛德)
* 2007 - Los Angeles Chinese American Banking Pioneers — Preston Martin, F.Chow Chan, Cathay Bank (Chinese: 國泰銀行), East West Bank (Chinese: 華美銀行), Far East National Bank (Chinese:遠東國民銀行), First Public Savings, General Bank Trust Savings, Standard Bank, Golden Security Bank (金安銀行), Eastern International, The Continental Bank
* 2008 - Chinese American Associations — Arcadia Chinese Association, Chinese American Association of Walnut, Diamond Bar Chinese American Association, San Gabriel Valley Chinese American Cultural Association, San Fernando Valley Chinese Cultural Association, South Bay Chinese Woman's Association, South Coast Chinese Cultural Association, South Pasadena Chinese American Club, and Ventura County Chinese American Historical Society
* 2009 - Celebrating Chinese Americans in Sports — Michael Chang (Chinese: 張德培), Tennis player; Tiffany Chin (Chinese: 陳婷婷), Olympian; Bob Chow, Olympian; Norm Chow (Chinese: 周友賢), football Coach; Lawrence Hom, volleyball player; Cameron Inouye, WNBA Referee; Carol Jue, college basketball head coach; Kim Ng, Los Angeles Dodgers; Jon Soo Hoo, sports photographer; Richard Tom, Olympian; Charles B. Wang (Chinese: 王嘉廉), Owner of New York Islanders Hockey Club; Kevin Wong, volleyball player; Annie Yee, cheerleader; Chinese American Athletic Association; Chinatown Firecracker Run Committee
* 2019 - Museum of Chinese in America — Participated in the exhibit: Gatherings: Collecting and Documenting Chinese American History
