The Real Story of Chop Suey & Other Interesting Facts: Museum of Chinese in America, NY
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Field Trip: The Museum of Chinese in America, New York
Travel Blog
New York is known to have the Museum Mile, along the famous 5th Avenue. But, there are plenty of museums off the mile. Take a bus or train downtown and head to the Museum of Chinese in America, not just to find out the real story of chop suey.
The Museum of Chinese in America seems small but, like many small packages, there a lots of good things, including the real story of chop suey. Along with the revolving exhibits, the incredible permanent exhibits tell the compelling story of people who came from China to America. The Museum of Chinese in America is a perfect excursion for Asian American Pacific Islander month (May) but great for any time of the year.
There's so much to see that you may want to devote more than one day when you explore Chinatown, NYC. The museum can easily take more than two hours and you may want to eat while you're in the neighborhood. After that, the day may be gone. So, try to devote another half day to do Chinatown. The shops alone will keep you busy while you're in that area.
The Museum of Chinese in America uses modern and traditional presentation styles for its exhibits: music, interactive displays, audio-visual techniques, and plenty of captions for an enjoyable afternoon. The interactive displays are very engaging and will keep your attention. The labels (captions) for the exhibits are detailed, educating as well as entertaining. You will definitely learn something.
Since this is a very popular museum, if you are traveling to New York, try schedule your visit to the Museum of Chinese in America either when it opens up or the last two hours when it closes. Many museums in New York tend to get very busy in the middle of the day. Also, museums often have great offers for groups and schools. Call the museum to ask if they may have a special day for schools and then book a different day. Otherwise, it will be extremely crowded.
There’s background information about MoCA on their website. And there’s interesting information about the Museum of Chinese in America itself right in the museum. It began as a history project in 1980 to promote understanding of the Chinese American experience and to preserve the memories and experiences of older Chinese Americans. Like many other immigrant and cultural groups in the United States, without this documentation, we would not have a complete documentation of America’s history. And, if you are of a different race, or ethnicity, you will enjoy the similarities of the struggles and successes of Chinese Americans.
MoCA does give information about discrimination and stereotypes and current events affecting Asian Americans. The story of Chinese in America parallels many other immigrant groups, and there is information that did not make the history books or even the newspapers. But, there are more exhibits about celebrating the Chinese culture in America and what the culture has contributed to the American culture. Particularly interesting is the film section and the section about Chinese food and restaurants, and yes, including the real story of chop suey!
The Museum of Chinese in America has had some drama in its own history. It has experienced different locations, a fire at a storage site, grants and donations and partners. The current location is 215 Centre Street, New York (in Manhattan). And although the location is in New York, which is one of the biggest Chinatown neighborhoods in America, the story inside includes all of the USA, to link all of the Chinatown areas and the contributions to the entire country.
Like most museums, there are permanent, revolving, and limited exhibits that tell the story; check the Museum of Chinese in America website for any current exhibits and their dates.
The Museum of Chinese in America can be toured from two different perspectives: either explore Chinatown and then connect your experience with the documentation in the museum or visit the museum first and then look for examples of real life of what you just saw. Either way, this travel blog believes your enjoyment of Chinatown will surely be enhanced. Like many cultural museums, you will certainly gain not only knowledge but a better appreciation and understanding of the Chinese American experience in America.
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