If you couldn’t join us on October 25, or would like to experience it again, the recording of this special talk is now available to watch online.
The Archaeology of Rock Springs Chinatown and the 1885 Chinese Massacre
Presented by StoryBoards Northwest and C.A.C.A. Seattle at the Stroum Jewish Community Center, Mercer Island, WA
In 1885, anti-Chinese violence erupted in Rock Springs, Wyoming Territory, resulting in the deaths of at least 28 Chinese miners and the destruction of Rock Springs Chinatown. It remains one of the deadliest acts of anti-Chinese violence in United States history.
In this talk, historical archaeologist Dr. Laura Ng, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Grinnell College, shares insights from her excavations at the Rock Springs and Evanston Chinatowns. Through artifacts, historical records, and community stories, she shows how archaeology reveals the everyday lives of Chinese immigrants in the American West and the challenges they faced.
The program also highlights recent efforts to raise public awareness of this history, including a congressional resolution introduced by Rep. Judy Chu recognizing the 1885 Rock Springs Chinese Massacre.
Watch the full lecture above, and please share it with friends, family, and anyone interested in Chinese American history, immigration, and the stories history nearly forgot.
Thank you to everyone who attended in person and online.
