Portland Chinatown Museum

08/27/2026

Thank you to everyone who packed the Portland Chinatown Museum’s front gallery last Saturday for a special excerpt presentation of “At the Edge of Chinatown,” a musical in development from Joe X. Jiang and Simon Tam. Attendees enjoyed great songs and storytelling about third-culture kids who must remix the old world to build their own. If you missed this event, you can still catch a performance from Joe and Simon at the 2026 Jade International Night Market this Saturday, August 29. For more info, click here: https://jadedistrict.org/jade-international-night-market-2026

PCM gives a special shout-out to Neil Lee of the CCBA for their technical assistance and to Tommy Ly of Geekeasy Anime Cafe for their delicious themed sandwiches and boba tea.

08/25/2026

Sunday, August 30 | 11 am–12:30 pm | FREE

The Portland Chinatown Museum is pleased to welcome back Kristin Wong, author of Portland’s Chinatowns, for a special presentation on Chinese American genealogy and research. Joined by PCM board member Norm Gholston, this talk will share resources, tips, and information that will help you get started on your own genealogy and family research journey. This event is free and open to the public.

Dr. Kristin Wong is a clinical pharmacist and a fourth-generation Chinese American whose family has been actively involved in the Portland Chinese community. These vintage photographs from the Portland Chinatown Museum, along with public archives and private collections, reveal the fascinating history that dates back over 175 years of what was America’s second-largest Chinatown in 1900.

Norm Gholston oversees exhibits, programs, walking tours, the collection, and the library at the Architectural Heritage Center. A leader in the history community, Gholston participates in and leads groups deeply involved in history and exhibits. He is the co-author of the book Portland Slabtown Neighborhood and serves on the Board of Directors at the Portland Chinatown Museum.

08/21/2026

We still have a few spots left on our RSVP list for tomorrow's special event!

The Portland Chinatown Museum is pleased to host a special excerpt presentation of At the Edge of Chinatown, a new musical in development from artists Joe X. Jiang and Simon Tam, on Saturday, August 22, from 4:00–5:30 pm. RSVP to save your spot, with a $5 suggested donation at the door.

A special excerpt presentation of At the Edge of Chinatown, a new musical in development from Joe X. Jiang and Simon Tam.

08/20/2026

Portland Chinatown Museum has posters of this iconic neon sign for sale. Come and check out our gift shop!

08/15/2026

The Royal Palm Hotel story

08/11/2026

August 22 at PCM: A special excerpt presentation of "At the Edge of Chinatown," a new musical in development from Joe X. Jiang and Simon Tam.

The Portland Chinatown Museum is pleased to host a special excerpt presentation of "At the Edge of Chinatown," a new musical in development from artists Joe X. Jiang and Simon Tam, on Saturday, August 22, from 4:00–5:30 pm. RSVP to save your spot (link below) with a $5 suggested donation at the door.

"At the Edge of Chinatown" is an explosive new musical about third-culture kids who must remix the old world to build their own. It proves that sometimes the most powerful form of preservation is fearless reinvention. Featuring a contemporary score with punk rock energy, the piece explores how identity and community are not inherited..they are forged.

About the Artists:

Joe X. Jiang is a musician, composer, performer, and award-winning filmmaker and visual artist, known for his innovative work across alternative rock and performance. He is the co-chair of The Slants Foundation, a nonprofit that helps support and mentor Asian American artists using their craft to drive civic engagement.

Simon Tam is a musician, author, and composer whose work bridges performing arts, community-based activism, and storytelling. As founder and bassist of The Slants, he helped spark a national conversation on identity and civil rights. He also won a landmark unanimous U.S. Supreme Court case that protected free speech for minority communities.

A special excerpt presentation of At the Edge of Chinatown, a new musical in development from Joe X. Jiang and Simon Tam.

08/04/2026

Free Educator Weeks at 7 Local Museums! August 1-16, 2026

OR and WA educators are invited to visit the Portland Chinatown Museum, Japanese American Museum of Oregon, Oregon Historical Society, Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education, Lan Su Chinese Garden, Maryhill Museum of Art, and the Portland Art Museum for free admission and educator tours. Click on the link below to learn more.

The list of seven museums includes the Portland Art Museum and the Japanese American Museum of Oregon.

08/01/2026

Join "Portland's Chinatowns" author Dr. Kristin Wong to explore the deeply layered history of the Chinese American immigrant experience from the 1850s to present day.

07/17/2026

"The closure of the National Archives at San Francisco, which houses records for northern California, most of Nevada, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands, removes historical materials from their places and communities of relevance. The effective loss of access to these artifacts - and the history they contain - would be a terrible blow to historians, researchers, families, and students, and ultimately be detrimental to our communities and overall American History.

With concerns that records may be moved soon, SONA is asking for the public’s help to oppose these closures, to stop the re-location of historic records, and to keep these facilities open to the public."

Keep the National Archives regional facilities open