Vancouver’s Chinese Canadian Museum has opened to the public as a new institution to explore Chinese-Canadian history, contributions, and living heritage.
Lord Cultural Resources, the world’s largest cultural professional practice, was employed by the province of British Columbia in 2018 to develop a plan for the Chinese Canadian Museum.
In 2019, the practice was engaged again to develop a business and facility plan for the Vancouver site in the historic Wing Sang Building, the oldest building in the city’s Chinatown.
In 2020 and 2021, the company was retained once again to support interpretive and operational strategies for the new museum.
“We are so proud to officially open the Chinese Canadian Museum and welcome visitors to explore, discover and learn about the stories and journeys of so many Chinese Canadians who sacrificed so much to help build the country into what it is today,” said Grace Wong, board chair for the Chinese Canadian Museum.
“It is truly groundbreaking and momentous for Canada to have a dedicated museum that honours the history, legacies, and contributions of Chinese Canadians throughout the generations.”
The museum’s main opening exhibition, titled ‘The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act’, focuses on the 100th anniversary of Canada passing its Chinese Immigration Act, 1923.
Now known as the Chinese Exclusion Act, the law banned most forms of Chinese immigration to Canada.
Opening exhibition explores Chinese Exclusion Act
Highlights at the Chinese Canadian Museum include a recreated 1930s living room inspired by the one lived in by Canadian businessman Yip Sang and his family.
Additionally, the museum features one of Vancouver’s oldest schoolrooms, which originally served as a classroom for Yip Sang’s children.
“Our first-of-its-kind museum is the result of many long years of hard work and collaboration, to create a positive, inclusive and transformative place where people can gather to bridge cultures and generations, and where the lived experiences of Chinese Canadians can be shared with Canadians from coast to coast to coast,” said Melissa Karmen Lee, CEO of the Chinese Canadian Museum.
“We’re here to elevate Chinese Canadian voices, foster respect, honour and enrich our legacies and engage with diverse communities across Canada.”
Founded in 2020, the Chinese Canadian Museum was previously located in two temporary sites in Vancouver and Victoria. The temporary exhibitions in Victor remain are still open to the public.
