In partnership with the Choy Family of Silk Road Mocha café, the Museum of Chinese in the Americas (MoCA) presents History of Chinatown, a traveling exhibit installation retracing the neighborhood's storied beginnings at the café. The exhibit launches the first of what is expected to be a series of community exhibit collaborations between MoCA and its Community Partners.
Born out of the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Acts, New York Chinatown began as a settlement for the few Chinese merchants and businessmen allowed to enter the United States. Through historic photos and archival news accounts, History of Chinatown chronicles the perseverance of and challenges faced by these early immigrants towards the creation of the vibrant Chinatown community of today. The exhibit opens at one of Chinatown's newest cafés and MoCA Community Partner, Silkroad Mocha. The Community Partner program began as a venture with area stores and restaurants to bring business back to Chinatown. Through cross-promotions and marketing, the program encourages tourists and visitors to take full advantage of the many attractions in the area. History of Chinatown is the first exhibit to be displayed at a Community Partner site and MoCA is negotiating other such exhibits for the future.
It is without coincidence that Silk Road Mocha should serve as the site for History of Chinatown. Located centrally in Old-Chinatown, the site is over a century-old and formerly served as the rectory for neighboring Transfiguration Church. The exposure of the aged brick walls coupled with the modern décor of Silkroad duly complements the contents of History of Chinatown. History of Chinatown will run from December 6, 2003 through the end of January 2004.
Major support for the Museum of Chinese in the Americas' year-round activities is provided by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs; the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency; and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. General support is also provided by the Asian American Arts Alliance, JPMorgan Chase, J.T. Tai & Co. Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Tribune New York Foundation and Members of MoCA. (Source: http://www.moca-nyc.org)