San Jose youth keep Chinese American history alive at History Park

Teen volunteers and young adults are helping preserve Chinese American stories at the Chinese American History Museum in San Jose’s History Park. Their work connects Heinlenville and other historic Bay Area Chinatowns to new audiences through exhibits, oral histories and social media.

History in San Jose: Heinlenville and Ng Shing Gung

The museum is a replica of Ng Shing Gung, the Temple of Five Gods that once stood in Heinlenville, a Chinatown that grew after the Market Street Chinatown burned in 1887. Heinlenville thrived into the early 20th century before the city bought the land and demolished buildings in the 1930s. The site and its stories reflect larger national policies—the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the Geary Act of 1892—that shaped daily life for Chinese immigrants.

Youth stepping in to preserve culture

Local students and recent graduates, including interns from San Jose State and volunteers from the South Bay, now help document artifacts, lead tours and share histories online. Young volunteers like Nina Chuang and Jacey Shuieh bring research, community outreach and social media skills that expand the museum’s reach beyond the physical collection.

Volunteering and internships

Interns catalog photos and memorabilia, assist with exhibit installation such as “Local Heroes: Chinese Americans in WWII” (open through Jan. 4, 2026), and engage visitors in conversations about family histories and immigration. These roles offer practical museum experience and create opportunities to record first-person memories from elders.

Using tech and oral histories

Youth are digitizing archives, posting contextual stories to Instagram, and encouraging younger relatives to share audio and video interviews. This multiplies the ways history is preserved: physical artifacts remain important, but searchable digital records and social platforms make local history accessible to people across the Bay Area and beyond.

Key points and implications

Preservation at History Park does three things for San Jose:

• Centers local Chinese American contributions—labor, community building and military service—within Bay Area history.
• Connects generational memory to contemporary civic issues, including debates about immigration and civil rights.
• Builds youth leadership in public history, which strengthens cultural literacy and community ties.

What to watch next

Look for the museum’s rotating exhibits and volunteer drives, community programs with San Jose State and public history workshops led by History San Jose. The “Local Heroes” exhibit runs through Jan. 4, 2026, and similar programming will surface stories about Chinese American veterans, businesses and schools. Watch for expanded digital releases of scanned photos and recorded oral histories—these will be the next layer making Heinlenville and other Chinatowns easier to explore remotely.

• How can I visit the museum?
  Check History San Jose’s website for hours, guided tours and exhibit dates; History Park hosts the Chinese American History Museum on Phelan Avenue.
• How do I volunteer or intern?
  Contact the museum or History San Jose to inquire about youth volunteer positions, internships and project-based roles in archiving or outreach.
• Can I research family history here?
  The museum’s exhibits and staff can point you to photos, school records and local resources; volunteers often help with oral history projects and family research tips.
• Are there programs for students?
  Yes—college and high-school students regularly intern, assist exhibits, and take part in community history projects tied to class research.

Practical takeaway: if you care about San Jose history, attend an exhibit or volunteer—record an elder’s story, help digitize photos, or bring a class to History Park. These small actions ensure Heinlenville’s legacy and Chinese American contributions remain visible and relevant in the Bay Area.

San Jose Youth Preserve Chinese American Heritage