“Chinese American Heritage Exhibit” were held during 2001-2003 Lunar New Year Celebration at Lakeforest Shopping Center, Gaithersburg, Maryland. The Exhibits combined various displays of photographs, films, books as well as poster and web page design contests that were presented in both English and Chinese.

It is hoped that the exhibits provide a glimpse of how Chinese Americans have lived and worked through their presence in the United States. It will help build a better understanding of the Chinese American community as a whole.

“Nation Builders: The Chinese American Experience” Exhibit (2001)
Through those images you gain a sense of the vitality and resilience from these remarkable people, and an appreciation of their contributions to American history.

It consists of eight parts:
• In the beginning
• Mining the gold mountain
• Building railroads
• Developing the agricultural empire and sea industries
• The anti-Chinese movement
• Fighting for the Nation
• The possible dream
• Chinatown, DC

“The Struggle for Acceptance” Exhibit (2002)
It complements high school social studies curriculum newly developed for the Montgomery County Public Schools. We hope that you gain a sense of vitality and empowerment as you view these images.

The Exhibit brings out some of the challenges Chinese Americans have faced in mainstream society since the mid-1880s. It also celebrates the spirit of the Chinese American community that has remained strong over the past 150 years.

The Exhibit consists of the following themes:
• Challenging unfairness
• The awakening: a Chinese American identity
• Contributions by Chinese Americans
• Making a difference

“Celebrating the Decades of Chinese American Dreams” Exhibit (2003)
You will read about the lives of 15 ordinary Chinese Americans who were interviewed for this Exhibit and who have made the Metropolitan Washington D.C. area their home.

The Exhibit shows how the focuses of the Chinese Americans’ dreams have changed over the decades in response to a changing American society.

The stories are organized into three main time periods:
• Before the 1950s: achieving dreams despite many restrictions
• Starting from the 1960s: opportunities broaden
• Since the 1980: all dreams are possible