Issue: 605   Date: 03/28/2002

CCEF Launches Community Outreach Efforts to Preserve History of Chinese St. Louisans

By Scanews Staff

On March, 2002, Chinese Culture and Education Foundation (CCEF) launched its efforts to reach out to key leaders and organizations to document and preserve the history of Chinese St. Louisans. Members of the CCEF board and chief editor of the St. Louis Chinese American News (Scanews) first met with Dr. Robert Archibald, President of the Missouri Historical Society, to explore possible areas of collaboration. Dr. Archibald, considered to be a leader of broad vision, welcomed CCEF board members Chingling Tai, Cecilia Nadal and Scanews, discussing of a wide range of possible projects. 

Dr. Tai explained to Dr. Archibald and Ms. Nicola J. Longford, Vice-president for Community services, the significance of preserving the early period of Chinese-American history in St. Louis and their contribution to the American experience. 

An oral history project has initiated in 1993 by the Organization of Chinese Americans using materials collected by interviewing five individuals, three men and two women, all of whom grew up or established themselves in St. Louis during the first half of the 20th century. 

Last year St. Louis Chinese American News published a series of articles on Chinese St. Louisans written by Professor Huping Ling of Truman State University. 

The oral history project was written in English and the "Chinese St. Louisans" was written in Chinese (http://www.scanews.com/history). In order to reach out to all Americans in general, more publications on this subject are imperative. The Missouri History Museum can play an important role in collaborating with the CCEF's endeavor.

Potential collaborative ventures include exhibits, film and music series, articles on the history of Chinese St. Louisans and oral history interviews with seniors within the Chinese community.

Dr. Archibald took the CCEF and Scanews members to see the remaining artifacts of the last Chinese laundry shop in St. Louis, which are part of the museum's collection. The St. Louis Chinese American News was extremely excited to capture these historical and rare artifacts in pictures. It was decided that Scanews will publish this story with historical materials provided by Missouri History Museum. To publish "The Last Chinese Laundry Shop in St. Louis" will be the first CCEF's effort to preserve the history of the Chinese St. Louisans.

CCEF was established in 2001 to promote and recognize Chinese culture and heritage. The foundation also seeks to cultivate mutual understanding and cooperation between Chinese Americans and the general public. CCEF works with St. Lois Chinese American News to publish news, articles, and photos. For more information, please visit http://www.ccefoundation.org.