Chilliwack's Chinatowns, Gold Rush Era Featured in New Museum Exhibition - Chilliwack Progress

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Chilliwacks Chinatowns, gold rush era featured in new museum
exhibition
Two-in-one exhibition connects Royal BC Museums Gold Mountain Dream with
Chilliwacks lost Chinatowns
JENNA HAUCK / Thu Sep 7th, 2017 3:50pm / ENTERTAIN MENT LOCAL ENTERTAIN MENT
The current installment at the Chilliwack Museum combines two exhibitions in one as
folks learn about B.C.s 19th century gold rushes and Chinese immigration to Chilliwack
during and after that time.
The Royal BC Museums travelling exhibition, Gold Mountain Dream! Bravely Venture
into the Fraser Valley, is well-paired with local pieces of history featuring Chilliwacks
lost Chinatowns. The two-in-one exhibition comes alive with Chilliwack Chinese
artifacts, audio recordings, and a video in and amongst the informative panels of Gold
Mountain Dream.
The local portion of the two-in-one exhibition is based on the 2011 book Chilliwacks
Chinatowns: A History by Dr. Chad Reimer. Chilliwacks Chinatowns (yes, there were
two) spanned nearly 40 years.
Chinatown North (1896-1921) was the smaller of the two with about ten businesses
located north of Yale Road near Five Corners. Chinatown South (1911-1934) was larger,
being home to 150 residents and several businesses along both the north and south
side of Yale Road between what is now Airport and Parr roads.
The largest organization in Chinatown South was the Chee Kung Tong (or the Chinese
Freemasons) which was established in 1917. Its members were responsible for
maintaining the well-being of the community.
Several res destroyed both Chinatowns. A devastating re in 1921 caused many

Chinese residents to leave Chinatown North. Two res in 1932 and 1934 ravaged
Chinatown South. The loss of the Masonic Hall in 1932 meant that many of the records
of the Chinese community in Chilliwack were lost.
A well-known Chinese-Canadian politician, Dorothy Kostrzewa (nee Chung), who grew

up in Chilliwacks Chinatown South and stayed after the re of 1934, is also featured in
the exhibition.
When she was elected to Chilliwack City Council in 1970, Kostrzewa (1928-2013)
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became the rst Chinese-Canadian woman to hold political oce in Canada. Her
victory broke both racial and gender barriers. Her career on city council lasted 38
years.
The local portion of the exhibition also features artifacts like clothing, tools and games,
plus panels of text on topics like work, farming, and social life, as well as the decline of
the two Chinatowns and racism.
It was believed some of the res that destroyed Chilliwacks Chinatowns were arson,
set by those who were trying to push the Chinese out of Chilliwack.
The Royal BC Museums travelling exhibition, Gold Mountain Dream! Bravely Venture
into the Fraser Valley, makes up the majority of the installment at the museum.
It explores how the gold rush not only changed the landscapes and lives in B.C., but
how this monumental event changed China, as people ocked to a rugged land in
search of fortune.
Created by the Royal BC Museum in collaboration with the Canadian Museum of

History, Gold Mountain Dream! tells the personal stories and sacrices of Chinese
migrants in the 1850s as they landed on British Columbias shores in search of gold. It
is a fascinating account of adventure, heartbreak, and social upheaval.
The travelling exhibition has been on display in various cities and countries (including
China) since the spring of last year. The text on the panels is in English and simplied
Chinese.
Gold Mountain Dream! Bravely Venture into the Fraser Valley, featuring Chilliwacks lost
Chinatowns is on display at the Chilliwack Museum (45820 Spadina Ave.) until Oct. 8.
Hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursdays until 8:30 p.m., and
Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission: $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and students, free
for kids 12 and under. Admission is free for Museum Members and their guests.
@PhotoJennalism
jenna.hauck@theprogress.com
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Chilliwack's Chinatowns, Gold Rush Era Featured in New Museum Exhibition - Chilliwack Progress

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Chilliwack's Chinatowns, Gold Rush Era Featured in New Museum Exhibition - Chilliwack Progress

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Chilliwacks Chinatowns, gold rush era featured in new museum exhibition... http://www.theprogress.com/entertainment/chilliwacks-chinatowns-gold-r...

Several res destroyed both Chinatowns. A devastating re in 1921 caused many

A well-known Chinese-Canadian politician, Dorothy Kostrzewa (nee Chung), who grew

Created by the Royal BC Museum in collaboration with the Canadian Museum of

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