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First Friday: Stories of Salinas Chinatown

Come and visit the Stories of Salinas Chinatown exhibit at the Historic Harvey House at the Salinas Train Station, free, this First Friday, June 7 (5 to 8 pm) and also on Saturday, June 8 (10 to 3 pm)! Snacks and drinks will be provided. The exhibit celebrates the history of Chinatown and its multiple ethnic communities, examines its present, and new plans for its future. The exhibit is open every Sat 10 to 3 pm and every first Friday of the month, May, June and July – 5 to 8 pm.

  • Read first-person accounts of residents who grew up, attended school, and worked in Chinatown; explore the early neighborhood and streets; listen to its sounds, and learn about the cultures that flourished there.
  • Unearthed in 2017, various ceramic shards will be displayed from May 3rd to July 31st. These objects were found during Chinatown’s archaeological monitoring and data recovery for cultural resources during construction of the Haciendas III Housing Project.
  • An exhibit gallery guide created for children and parents in English and Spanish will be available, serving also as a guide for students, grades 3 through 5.

Funded by a generous grant from the Community Foundation for Monterey County, the event was created by ACE (Asian Cultural Experience) and the Historic Harvey House, partnering with CSUMB’s School of Social Behavior and Global Studies, and the Service Learning Institute. Check out the photos below taken since we opened the exhibit:

A panel on the first (of two) Chinatowns in Salinas. Photo: J. Vengua.
Dr. Ruben Mendoza discusses the archaeology part of the exhibit to ACE member Kathleen Slattery. Harvey House historian Larry Smith on the right. Photo: J. Vengua.
Page 16 of the artifacts booklet, detailing some of the interesting items in the archaeological part of the exhibit, researched and prepared by CSUMB students. This page features a fragment from an 18th c. Imari charger.
Jaise Thomas, one of CSUMB students who researched and prepared the archaeological exhibit. Photo: J. Vengua.
Close up of fragments of the Austrian art nouveau majolica vase, c. 1880, found in the Japan town archaeological dig. Photo: J. Vengua.
More pages, showing the students at work, from the Artifacts booklet.
Parts of the Japanese and Filipino exhibits. Photo: J. Vengua.
Part of the Chinese exhibit, shown with a lion dancer costume (on a mannekin). Photo: J. Vengua.
ACE members and guests on opening day of the exhibit. Photo: J. Vengua.
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Reflections on Salinas Chinatown

On May 21st, at the John Steinbeck Library, Salinas-area Asian American historians, authors, and artists shared their creative journeys, research, and influences, with
topics reflecting the diverse Asian communities of Salinas.

Great evening of sharing our writing, art, and cultural activism. Thank you, Salinas Public Libraries and ACE! And thanks to participants Gerry Low-Sabado, Larry Hirahara, Wally Ahtye, Kainoa Rocamora, Jean Vengua, and Richard Villegas. Thanks also to Cathy Chavez Miller and Cathy Andrews of Salinas Public Libraries for organizing the event. A high point of the event was when Joseph Frausto of Studio 316 awarded Salinas Union High School Students Kainoa and Xinyu with a scholarship from Main Street Art Studios and MidPen (see photos on Joseph’s Facebook site).

L to R: Gerry Low-Sabado, Kainoa Rocamora, Jean Vengua, Richard Villegas, Larry Hirahara, Wallace Ahtye.
Historian Gerry Low-Sabado speaks about the Monterey Fishing Village and her ancestors.

Richard Villegas, President of FANHS (Filipino American National Historical Society Monterey Bay Area) speaks about the creation of their book, Shadows on Main Street.
ACE member Wallace Ahtye speaks about the Salinas Chinatown neighborhood and its residents.
ACE Co-chair Jean Vengua reads the poem, “Momentum” from her book, Prau.
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Stories of Salinas Chinatown

Left: Geia Benson & her father. Right: Harvey House Board members Jeannie Hori-Garcia and Carlos Mariscal.

On May 3rd, we held the official opening for our Stories of Chinatown exhibit at the Historic Harvey House education center (at the Salinas Train Station) in Salinas. We had a wonderful time chatting with guests about Chinatown’s history. The exhibit will be open every Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and every First Friday of each month through May, June, and July, 5 to 8 p.m. We will be open this Saturday, May 18, for Salinas Founders Day, and our docents will be available to discuss the exhibit with visitors.

Front door of the Harvey House about a week before Opening Day.

This ACE exhibit was created in partnership with the Historic Harvey House Education Center, CSUMB Service Learning Institute, and CSUMB’s Archaeology program of the School of Social, Behavioral, & Global Studies, and The Community Foundation for Monterey County. We thank Deborah Silguero for her curation of this process, Larry Smith for both his historical and practical knowledge, and Harvey House Board members for their support.

ACE members emeriti Wally Ahtye, Wellington Lee, and Al Baguio contributed their historical knowledge, memories, and many historical images, along with the ACE project team, consisting of both Board and regular members. Alex Fabros, Jr. (a FANHS member) also contributed text and photographs. Organizations such as the Chinese Association of Salinas, the Buddhist Temple of Salinas, the local branch of the Filipino American National Historical Society, and the Filipino Community Center of Salinas Valley also contributed to the project.

Part of the ACE Project Team, in the early planning process. L. to R: Jean Vengua, Deborah Silguero, Larry Hirahara, Al Baguio, and Cathy Chavez-Miller.
Wellington Lee and Deborah Silguero talk during the planning phase.
Guests chatting in front of the Filipino exhibit.
In the Harvey House mansion; Cheese, fruit, and bread from Star Market; cheese board selection by M.A. Fink. Pastries from Carolina Groyon-Cattani.
More food!
Rocamora Family with Jean Vengua and Henry Gong.
CSUMB students Izabella Edwards and Geia Benson contributed their ideas and creative skills to the exhibit.
Visitors checking out the panels.

Profs. Ruben Mendoza and Jennifer Lucido and their students contributed greatly to the archaeological exhibit. Service Learning Institute students contributed their creative ideas and artistic skills to various parts of the exhibit.

ACE Co-chair Cathy Chavez-Miller created the panel on Latino businesses in Chinatown.
Upper photo: Amanda Duncan with Jean Vengua. Amanda created an artful display of shards from the archaeological dig and presented it on a panel that simulated the cement environment where they were found.
Mr. Roland Teraji was happy to find his grandparents represented in the Japanese part of the exhibit. ACE Treasurer Larry Hirahara created the Japanese Panels.

“Stories of Chinatown” gave us a chance to tell the larger story of Salinas Chinatown–actually two Chinatowns, the first founded in 1872, and the second in 1893–and to incorporate first-person narratives from residents and business owners in Chinatown.

It was great to have calligrapher Mihoko Dreyer participate on Opening Day, sharing her calligraphy skills with the public. Thank you!
ACE Board member Herb Wong at the front door, next to our Thank You panel.
A photo from the production period: Deborah Silguero (foreground) working with the texts, Geia Benson painting the ACE logo, and Larry Smith checking out the wall for mounting the Chinese panels.

Just as important, we were able to create curriculum materials and hands-on experiences for the 3rd- to 5th-grade primary school students who often tour the Harvey House with their classes. (Thanks to Kathleen Cata Fitzgerald for translating our curriculum materials into Spanish!) The exhibit also encouraged students to think about their own family histories and journeys. We will be posting more photos of the exhibit and its visitors, and hope you will come and visit Stories of Salinas Chinatown!

Japanese and Filipino panels.
More shards researched and partially reconstructed by the archaeology students.
The Chinese Association of Salinas allowed us to use their Lion Dancer outfit for the exhibit.

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CSUMB’s Visual and Public Arts and ACE, Part I – 2018

One of ACE’s valuable partners is CSUMB’s Visual & Public Arts (VPA) Department. Every Fall, students from Jesus Aguilar‘s Media and Public Arts class meet with ACE and create a project about Chinatown. This was the second project we had worked on with VPA.

Cathy Chavez-Miller and a student chatting on the first floor of the Republic Cafe.

Many of the students are from outside Salinas, so they do not know much about Chinatown. But coming into the Republic Cafe always seems to help them “get it.” There is something about the building that speaks volumes about the family and staff that lived there, and ultimately about Chinatown itself. To get a feeling for the history of the building, view Silvia Turchin‘s beautiful documentary video, Past and Present: the Republic Cafe.

ACE Board member Dom Siababa (in the middle), Jesus Aguilar, and VPA students tour the family living room on the second floor of the Republic Cafe building.

We took the students to the upper floors of the building, where the family and some of the restaurant staff once lived. Everyone who takes the tour is surprised about how large the Republic Cafe building really is.

Larry Hirahara talks to students on the roof of the Republic Cafe.

The tour ends on the roof, where you can look out over Chinatown, get the lay of the land, and also get a clear view of the new affordable housing developments. We pointed out some of the landmarks, including the two Chinese Association “Tong” buildings, and of course the new Moon Gate 90-unit affordable housing development being built along Soledad and Lake Streets.

A student takes photographs from a third floor window.

The students took this opportunity to take notes and photographs, and also think about a possible media project they can do. It was interesting to show them around the 4-story Republic Cafe building, and to sit with them afterwards and hear them talk about the experience and speculate about possible projects. They came up with some great ideas.

With the guidance of their instructor, they decided on a two-part project, which included 1) photographing and documenting items and shards from a recent archaeological dig in the Japanese section of Chinatown, and 2) incorporating that material into a multimedia project that would be presented at the Republic Cafe during the big Chinatown Block Party held in November 2018. Aside from the group project, they would also create individual projects.

The first part of the project involved photographing the artifacts in the Buddhist Temple of Salinas gym in October. They were able to bring cameras, lighting, and other photographic materials into the building and everyone participated.

Students and their instructor, Jesus Aguilar (in the background) arranging artifacts for the photo shoot. 10/2018. Photo by J. Vengua.
One of the “shards” from the Lake St. archeological dig.
  • More artifacts from the dig, lined up for the photo shoot.


  • Setting up equipment.
  • ACE Co-chair Cathy Chavez-Miller in the foreground
  • Items from ACE’s archive were also photographed. Here they prepare print pages of the Philippines Mail newspaper.
  • Cathy Chavez-Miller with ACE member Tom Tanner (who donated some objects to be photographed).
  • Chinese style dresses to be photographed.

After seeing all the work the students and their instructor put into preparing and photographing the artifacts, we were curious and excited to see what they would create for the Chinatown Block Party in November… Next: Part II

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Narciso Bulosan Caliva’s Postcards from Salinas

Where: Art & Culture Gallery at the National Steinbeck Center, #1 Main St., Salinas, CA

When: Open Oct. 1 to Nov. 30, 11:00 to 5:00 daily.

Reception: Tues., Oct. 2, Art & Culture gallery (inside the Steinbeck exhibit hall), 5:30 pm; join us for discussion and food (including lumpia!).

Asian Cultural Experience (ACE), the National Steinbeck Center (NSC), and the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) of the Monterey Bay Area are pleased to sponsor an exhibit, “Narciso Bulosan Caliva’s Postcards from Salinas.” Filipino American historian Alex Fabros is the curator of the exhibit, which will be open from Oct. 1, through Nov. 30, 2018 in the “Art & Cultural Gallery” of the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas. The opening reception will take place at 5:30, Oct. 2, in the National Steinbeck Center Bookshop. Join us for discussion and food with Alex Fabros and ACE members. 

Narciso Bulosan Caliva & Friends
Narcisco Bulosan Caliva & Friends outside his photo studio in Salinas Chinatown. Caliva family collection. 1930s.

This exhibit will feature historic photo postcards produced in the Caliva Photography Studio in Salinas, Chinatown during the 1930s and 1940s. Filipinos and their families, along with other residents of Chinatown, came to Caliva’s studio to be photographed and have their images reproduced on postcards they could mail to family and friends. Also featured will be commentary on the history of Filipinos in the Salinas Valley. Some of the people in the photos have not been identified; for the historical record, we encourage the public to visit our exhibit and help us name these people.
Postcard exhibit panel images
Last month, ACE members with Alex Fabros met at the National Steinbeck Center to select photos to use for the exhibit. Photo by Cathy Chavez-Miller.
Doc29withphotos (1)_1

For more information, contact:

Jean Vengua, okir2k@gmail.com, (831) 234-8799

Cathy Chavez-Miller, meankitty132@gmail.com, (831) 809-8310

Larry Hirahara, seedyguy@aol.com, (408) 968-9081

 

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Moon Gate Plaza: Groundbreaking

Today we attended the groundbreaking ceremonies for Moon Gate Plaza, developed by MidPen Housing. This project was a long time coming, and ACE members are very happy that this day has finally arrived. As most of the speakers explained, along with MidPen, it took a community and the City of Salinas to make this all happen — a network of cooperation between individuals, organizations, and the City. We look forward to a development that will feature 90 units of affordable and transitional housing, with space for retail and services, as well as an art and events gallery and work spaces for artists.

One thing that many people may not know is that long-time resident and historian Wellington Lee came up with the name “Moon Gate Plaza.” As I sat next to Wellington in the audience, he remarked that it was both “a happy day, and a sad day.” He was very happy to see the area finally undergo development. But he was also a little sad, because the corner lot that he considers “sacred ground” will be covered over; a corner of the site was once occupied by the old joss house, mentioned by John Steinbeck in East of Eden. Nevertheless, Wellington also felt that the ancestor gods would be pleased to see what is being done with the area.

Below are some photos from the event:

Prior to Groundbreaking_JVengua photo
Prior to the ceremonies, a partial view of the construction site. Photo: Jean Vengua.

 

Care packages_JVengua photo
Prior to ceremonies: the staff prepared some care packages for those who lived on the streets in Chinatown. Photo: J. Vengua.

 

Moon Gate Plaza groundbreaking, Salinas Chinatown
ACE Board member Richard Villegas with Luna. Seated behind him: Wellington Lee & Jean Vengua. Photo: Cathy Chavez-Miller.

 

Groundbreaking_Panetta_Chavez-Miller_photo
Congressman Panetta speaks. Bing Gong Tong building in background. Photo: Cathy Chavez-Miller.

 

Groundbreaking2_Chavez-Miller photo
Mayor Gunter and Council member De La Rosa speak. Photo: Cathy Chavez-Miller.

 

Groundbreaking1_Chavez-Miller photo
L to R, ACE members Larry Hirahara, Dom Siababa, and Henry Gong. Photo: Cathy Chavez-Miller.

 

Luis Alejo speaks. Chavez-Miller photo
County Supervisor Luis Alejo speaks. Photo: Cathy Chavez-Miller.

 

Joshua Kristianto_KION. Photo: Jean Vengua.
Joshua Kristianto (standing) of KION News listens attentively. He later interviewed ACE Board Member Larry Hirahara. Photo: Jean Vengua.

 

Elizabeth Betsy Willson. Photo: Jean Vengua.
Elizabeth Betsy Wilson, MidPen Director of the Moon Gate Project. Photo: Jean Vengua.

Richard_Cathy_Luna_VenguaPhoto
Richard Villegas with ACE Co-chair Cathy Chavez-Miller, and Luna.

WLee_MonaOrtiz_Chavez-Miller Photo
Mona Ortiz introduces herself to Wellington Lee (her parents used to work for his parents). Photo: Cathy Chavez-Miller.

Moon Gate Plaza groundbreaking ceremony tents. Photo: Jean Vengua.
Tents set up for the groundbreaking ceremony. Photo: Jean Vengua.

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Sun and Moon Gate Designs

Recently, Betsy Elizabeth Wilson of MidPen informed us that MidPen is now soliciting designs for the Sun and Moon Gate gates that will eventually be placed on the two Soledad St. entrances to Moon Gate Plaza. Finalists will receive a $1000 design fee to create a proposal for the two gates. Selected artist/s will receive a $5000 commission to develop their design.

We thought you might like to take a look at the Design contest information. Here’s the link: https://www.midpen-housing.org/moon-gate-plaza-entry-gates-design-contest/ Scroll down the page and click on the Cultural Heritage Components and Building Design link for a pdf that will give you a closer look at proposed design elements for the building, including railings, mural areas, garage screens, etc. If you know anyone who would be interested in submitting a gate design for this project, please forward this information to them.

Below are a few partial screenshots from the pdf:

Salinas Chinatown
Moon Gate entry

Salinas Chinatown
Sun Gate Entry

Moon Gate Plaza, Salinas Chinatown
Corner of Soledad & Lake Sts., Moon Gate Plaza, Salinas Chinatown

Moon Gate Plaza, Salinas Chinatown
Moon Gate Plaza, Salinas Chinatown: Mural Panels

Moon Gate Plaza, Salinas Chinatown
Moon Gate Plaza, Salinas Chinatown. Soledad St. view.

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Tell your story — on film!

Image above from the Henry T. Gong collection.

Got a story to tell about your life or your family’s life in Salinas? Here’s a chance for you to tell that story, and get it on film! The Salinas Public Library is offering a Free Digital Storytelling Workshop through Story Center, California Listens: Salinas Stories project. The deadline to apply is June 12. Coming up soon! The two-day workshop includes:

  • How to make a great story
  • Group script sharing
  • Hands-on video editing
  • Production support
  • Bilingual instructors

Here’s your chance to get your story out into the world. Thanks to Cathy Andrews for telling us about this opportunity. Check out the posters (in English and Spanish) below for more information, or go to https://www.storycenter.org/salinas:

CA LIstens Eng

CA Listens Salinas Flyer Sp.docx

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Salinas Chinatown Asian Festival 2018

We hope to see you at our 2018 Asian Festival! Check out the ethnic food, historical exhibits, entertainment, and the classic Chinatown car show! And while you are there, check out the site of what will be the new Moon Gate Plaza apartment complex (90 units) and artist community, corner of Lake & Soledad Sts., and the new Nihonmachi Village complex on E. Rossi and E. Lake Sts.

Opening ceremonies are at 11 a.m.  We’re happy to announce that historian Wellington Lee will lead the Salinas Chinatown Walking Tour. Here are the details:

11th Annual Asian Festival Schedule of Events New Logo_1

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ACE/Asian Festival Fundraiser 3/24

YOU ARE INVITED to our ACE/Asian Festival Fundraiser, featuring Aireene Espiritu & The Itch: March 24, 2 to 5 pm, at the Filipino Community Center, 250 Calle Cebu in Salinas. Mike PZ & Assoc. will open with an acoustic performance. Open to all ages: kids are free!

Listen to Aireene Espiritu singing “Going Back Where I Belong” (audio): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiCB_ZucWZg Although we offer discounts for students with ID and persons over 65, please consider donating $20 or more to cover our costs and to benefit ACE and Asian Festival programs. For more information, see the flyer, below.

Aireene Espiritu poster 5_p1