Chinese Historical & Cultural Project upcoming events

MFM Exhibit: "WWI: America in the Great War" (thru Oct 3) (May 01, 2026)

Fri, 01 May 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Step into the trenches of World War I and experience life at the front in Moffett Field Museum (MFM)’s most immersive exhibit yet.

Walk in the footsteps of a First World War soldier and discover how the Great War reshaped the modern world through unprecedented industrial warfare, global alliances, and rapid technological change. The United States entered the conflict in April 1917, joining Allied forces on the Western Front, and the war came to an end on November 11, 1918—forever altering technology, aviation, military strategy, and international relations.

This exhibit brings that history to life through a fully immersive walk-through trench, placing visitors in the environment faced by soldiers on the front lines. Surrounded by authentic artifacts, rare World War I vehicles, and a striking biplane, guests gain a deeper understanding of the realities of trench warfare and the innovation born from the conflict. This exhibit honors those who served and invites visitors of all ages to engage with the experiences and history of World War I.

MORE INFO & TICKETS

ATTENTION: To access Moffett Field, all visitors (18+) must present either:

A REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card, or
A valid passport

This is in accordance with federal law and is required to board domestic flights and to enter secure federal facilities and military installations.

Voting is Open for CHCP Civil Rights Contest (thru Oct 17) (September 13, 2026)

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Reflections on Civil Rights & the Asian American Experience
at the United States' Semiquincentennial

From May 2026 through August 2026, CHCP held a contest, Civil Rights & the Asian American Experience, for submissions from California residents connecting historical Asian American civil rights events to the present. Submissions for CHCP's contest have now ended and voting for contest entries in the Adult Division for People's Choice is now open.

You can view and vote for the Adult Division contest entries for People's Choice below. There will be three (3) People’s Choice Awards in the Adult Division.

The Youth Division will have cash awards for first ($500), second ($350), and third ($250) prize, and up to three (3) honorable mentions, selected by a judging panel.

Winners (for both the Adult and Youth divisions) will be announced in late October and recognized at an in-person Award Ceremony. Please check the CHCP website for further upcoming details at that time. We welcome all participants to attend the event in person. Winning projects will be featured on the CHCP website and displayed in public exhibitions.

For Questions: Please email Contest2026@chcp.org.

Voting Deadline: October 17, 2026

VOTE HERE

C100 Webinar: Men of Iron and the Transcontinental Railroad (September 24, 2026)

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Join the Committee of 100 (C100) on September 24 at 5:00 PM PT (8:00 PM ET) for a unique fireside chat focused on the Chinese laborers who were instrumental in the building of the American Transcontinental Railroad.

The two speakers will be Gordon Chang, the distinguished Stanford University history professor and Committee of 100 member, who has written extensively about the topic, including “Ghosts of Gold Mountain: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad (2019)”, and Jindong Cai, the Director of the U.S. China Music Institute at Bard, who is staging an extraordinary oratorio production of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, Zhou Long's "Men of Iron and the Golden Spike" at the Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center on October 11. This large-scale symphonic oratorio honors the thousands of Chinese laborers who built the Transcontinental Railroad in the 1860s. The performance will feature an 80-piece orchestra, a 120-voice chorus, and six vocal soloists.

During the fireside chat, Professor Chang will talk about this important moment in the history of this country and Jindong Cai will talk about how the story was transformed into the powerful oratorio. Professor Chang was a collaborator when the oratorio was created. A short video clip of the oratorio will be shown during the webcast.

Chinese and Chinese Americans have contributed greatly to advance the success of this country in many ways – in industry, science, the arts, agriculture, philanthropy, political leadership, architecture, business, and more. The sacrifices and the contributions that were made by the Chinese laborers who helped to build the Transcontinental Railroad are an unheralded part of American History.

Peter Young, Committee of 100 Board Member and New York Regional Chair, and Chair of the Asian American Career Ceilings Initiative, will moderate.

After the conclusion of the fireside chat, there will be a Q&A session during which members of the audience may ask questions. There is no fee for the webcast.

Milpitas Lantern Festival (September 25, 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Milpitas celebrates the late summer Harvest Moon with a family-friendly Lantern Festival at Civic Center Plaza, incorporating cultural traditions of our large Asian community. Guests can decorate lanterns to share with the community and enjoy colorful dance performances, lively music, and delicious fare from local food trucks.

Free Admission. Lantern kits and food truck items are available for purchase.

For more information: Lantern Festival | Milpitas, CA

CAH Museum Open (September 26, 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 19:00:00 GMT

The Chinese American Historical Museum (CAHM) is housed in the Ng Shing Gung building, which is part of History Park, located in Kelley Park, San Jose.

Admission: Free

For more information (including parking, directions, slideshow, and virtual tour): visit our Museum page.

CPAA Mid-Autumn Festival (September 27, 2026)

Sun, 27 Sep 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Join the Chinese Performing Arts of America (CPAA) for an outdoor Mid-Autumn Festival celebration on Sunday, September 27, 2026, from 4:30 to 7:30 PM at CPAA Arts Center! Enjoy a community gathering under the harvest moon for all ages. Co-presented with AACYC and Adriano's.

The Mid-Autumn Festival (aka Moon Festival) is one of the most cherished holidays in Chinese culture — a time to gather with loved ones, express gratitude, and celebrate the full moon's light. This year, CPAA is bringing that spirit to the wider San José community with an afternoon of culture, connection, and celebration for all ages.

The festival will feature:

Live cultural performances, including Chinese classical dance and traditional instrumental music
Hands-on craft activities for families and children
Mooncake tasting, honoring the holiday's signature treat
Community raffle with prizes for attendees
Local vendors showcasing food, crafts, and more

Admission is completely free — everyone is welcome. Come make memories under the mid-autumn moon!

MORE INFO / REGISTER

HSJ Fundraiser: Valley of Heart's Delight (October 08, 2026)

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:30:00 GMT

Please join History San José (HSJ) on October 8, 2026, from 5:30 - 9:30 pm at History Park for the Valley of Heart’s Delight annual fundraiser, honoring Valley Legend Brian Adams and History Maker Erin Salazar. This celebration uplifts community leadership and supports the preservation and sharing of Santa Clara Valley’s rich cultural history.

Join in supporting History San José’s important work in providing exceptional educational programs, collaborating with local arts and cultural communities, and preserving history through their extensive museum collection.

For more information, tickets, or to sponsor/donate: https://historysanjose.org/get-involved/valley-of-hearts-delight-annual-fundraiser

CHCP is a proud sponsor of this event.

CHCP SDCAP Orientation (October 10, 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

An Orientation for CHCP's Student Docent Cultural Ambassador Program (SDCAP) will be held at History Park in San Jose. Come and contribute to preserving, educating, and promoting Chinese and Chinese American history and culture! This program is open to high school/college students and their parents.

The Orientation is on October 10 from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm, with snacks and lunch provided.

Morning activities will introduce CHCP, History Park, SDCAP, members (returning and new), and oral communication tips. A docent training manual with a special tour of the Chinese American Historical Museum follows lunch, along with specific information about SDCAP events and projects for 2026-2027.

To reserve your spot and your training material, please RSVP by October 1 to: SDCAP Chair/CHCP Director Brenda Wong (408-228-2424 or brenda.wong@chcp.org). Parents are also welcome to RSVP to attend the Orientation.

For SDCAP applications and more information: visit our SDCAP page. For students and parents ready to join, emailing your application(s) to brenda.wong@chcp.org ASAP will enable you to be updated and included in all current communications.

For parking and directions: visit our Museum page.

Silicon Valley Asian Pacific FilmFest (thru Nov 1) (October 22, 2026)

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Contemporary Asian Theatre Scene (CATS) is proud to present the Silicon Valley Asian Pacific FilmFest (SVAPFF), providing access to top-quality cinema created by Asian American artists that offers valuable opportunities to learn about Asian cultures and experiences. This year’s theme, The Connecting Power of Film, celebrates the stories, filmmakers, and communities that bring us together through cinema.

The festival kicks off with Opening Night on October 22 at De Anza Visual Performing Arts Center (21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, CA 95014), followed by the in-person weekend festival October 23–25 at AMC Sunnyvale 12 (150 E McKinley Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086), then continues online October 26–November 1.

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: Use code SVAPFF-EB25 by September 30 for a 25% discount.

For movie schedule and to purchase tickets: www.svapfilmfest.org.

Seminar: Unlock Your Ancestors' Military Records (thru Nov 8) (November 08, 2026)

Sun, 08 Nov 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Various Bay Area libraries will be hosting a FREE seminar on the subject: Unlock Your Ancestors' Military Records.

Location/Date/Time

Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Rd, Los Altos, Friday, July 10, 1 – 3 PM
Saratoga Library, 13650 Saratoga Ave, Saratoga, Sunday, July 12, 2 – 4 PM
Morgan Hill Library, 660 W Main Ave, Morgan Hill, Tuesday, July 14, 4 – 6 PM
Cupertino Library, 10800 Torre Ave, Cupertino, Thursday, July 23, 1 – 3 PM (RESCHEDULED: from July 18)
Milpitas Library, 160 North Main St, Milpitas, Saturday, July 25, 1 – 3 PM
Gilroy Library, 350 W. Sixth St, Gilroy, Monday, July 27, 2 – 4 PM
Castro Valley Library, 3600 Norbridge Ave, Castro Valley, Sunday, November 8, 2 – 4 PM

What you will learn

Access military records from major archives and databases
Interpret DD-214s, draft cards, and service records
Use census and muster rolls to trace service
Create storytelling from veteran oral histories and personal accounts
Create and share a meaningful memorial page

Session Abstract

Unlock Your Ancestors’ Military Records: Critical documents, resources, and techniques to create military service stories. Discover the hidden stories of veterans in your family. This seminar shows how U.S. military records can enrich genealogy research by revealing an ancestor’s life, service, and character. Learn step-by-step methods to access records from the National Archives, FamilySearch, fold3, and online resources. Explore how to interpret DD-214 forms, locate draft registrations, use census and muster records to trace service and deployments. Hear veteran oral histories that bring records to life with personal context. Participants will learn to create a lasting memorial page honoring service.

About The Speaker: Ron Chan

Ron is a seasoned lecturer on family history documentation best practices, captivating audiences worldwide at genealogy workshops and libraries across the San Francisco Bay Area. As a published genealogy author, he has a passion for storytelling and teaches innovative technologies to bring ancestral tales to life. Ron is the Founder and Executive Director of the Bay Area Chinese Genealogy Group, dedicated to preserving ancestral stories. He is also a Co-Founder of the Chinese American GI Project, ensuring that veterans’ legacies are not lost, forgotten, or ignored. As a CHCP Advisory Board Member, Ron is a contributor to CHCP's Oral History Project. Ron shares with you how to capture and share family struggles of the past so future generations can embrace, remember, and learn from those who came before.