The Many Faces of Cantonese Family Locks
Exhibit Opening & Reception, Saturday, August 1, 2009. 2:00- 4:00PM.

Amidst the finery of traditional China, it is easy to neglect the little masterpieces that keep the other treasures safe. From Chinese character combination locks to animal-shaped padlocks, these antique brass pieces are works of art in themselves. This collection from the Qing Dynasty (1638-1911 CE) exhibits the splitting-spring mechanism used in China from the Han Dynasty (206 BCE -220 CE) until Western pin and tumbler locks mostly replaced them in the 1940s.

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Magnificent Chinese Boxes of the Past
Exhibit Opening March 28, 2009. 2:00- 4:00PM.

In a country where imperial officials and wealthy merchants long cherished the finest calligraphy, lavish silks and exquisite porcelain, it is easy to overlook more utilitarian treasures like these ornate boxes. Each one is uniquely crafted for a specific use: to carry a workingman’s lunch, a lady’s makeup, a scholar’s calligraphy tools or any number of treasures great or small. This exhibit features boxes skillfully crafted from materials such as carved wood, lacquer, bamboo, and leather.

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Lasting Legacies of Chinese Living History
Terminal 2, San Diego International Airport
January - July, 2009.

Chinese culture has been shaped by a myriad of historical influences. Contact with foreign powers inspired advances in Chinese technology and Western household items began to appear as commonplace items for upper class families. Yet foreign influence did not signify the end of a unique Chinese identity – only an alteration of existing lifestyles. Unique aspects of Chinese culture, such as the treatment of illnesses through traditional Chinese techniques, continued to prevail and are still commonplace to this day.
This exhibit features some of the items representative of important traditional practices and new changes in Chinese culture. Each category includes items from the museum, a brief summary of the display, a description of each artifact, and concise captions for the reader’s viewing pleasure and personal education.

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Walking Tours of Asian Pacific Historic District
Every Second Saturday of the Month

Join Museum Curator of Chinese American History, Murray K. Lee or Michael Yee, President of San Diego Chinese Historical Society and Museum, on a walking tour of the Asian Pacific Historic District. The tours begin at 11AM from the museum. A donation of $2 is suggested to the Asian Pacific Historic Collaborative. RSVP required. Contact the museum at (619)338-9888.

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