A New Exhibition from the Southern Oregon Historical Society
This month, the Southern Oregon Historical Society opens its 2016 annual exhibition—“Courage in the Golden Valley: Chinese History in Southern Oregon” which highlights the lives and impact of 19th century Chinese immigrants to this region, presenting this history through the voices and perspective of the Chinese to the greatest extent possible. It runs from February 6 through April 17, 2016 at the Rogue Valley Mall, 1600 N Riverside Ave.
The Chinese who arrived in Southern Oregon were continuing a long tradition of sending workers overseas and taking advantage of an opportunity which allowed them to earn money much more quickly than if they remained in China. Their experiences in the U.S. were shaped by resentment and hostility, but also greater choice and opportunity. This exhibit seeks to avoid narratives which paint the Chinese as victims but instead highlight their autonomy.
”Courage in the Golden Valley” highlights the lives and accomplishments of specific Chinese individuals while placing their lives in the context of the particular circumstances which shaped their decision to immigrate to the U.S. and their lives once they arrived. One such individual is Eni Yan, who immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager and worked as a domestic servant for the Beekmans for 30 years. Eni Yan wrote and spoke English, which was a valuable skill needed in his position. Although his title was “cook,” he actually managed the Beekman’s house and property, especially during the Beekmans’ frequent travels.
“Courage in the Golden Valley” incorporates new research that is changing our understanding of the lives of the Chinese, including local archaeology conducted by Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology (SOULA). This information challenges previous assumptions about the Chinese experience and permits a discussion of the lives of individuals, allowing greater personal connection to the past. The exhibit utilizes interactive elements such as games and writing exercises for a more engaging and resonant visitor experience.
Objects and photographs from Southern Oregon Historical Society’s collection will also be on display, including some which have never been displayed before. Through simple objects such as robes, shoes, mining pans, irons, and archaeological finds, the everyday lives of Chinese individuals are explored. One such object is a handmade metal-over-shoe, designed to protect a miner’s feet as he worked. The shoe is made of tin and held together by wire and thongs. Metal webbing was added to the bottom for better traction. Such shoes would have been used in the gold mines around Jacksonville.
The exhibit is timed to coincide with the Chinese New Year and also the annual celebration of this holiday held in Jacksonville, which will be on Saturday, February 27. The effort put into transforming Jacksonville’s California Street into a joyful spectacle of celebration with food, costumes, lights, and explorations of history and culture is a continuation of the celebrations which occurred in Jacksonville’s 19th century Chinatown. These celebrations would have featured fireworks, candy for the children and feasting on pigs purchased from butchers in Jacksonville. These celebrations permitted the Chinese to immerse themselves in their culture in ways that were not always available to them in Oregon. By inviting neighbors to participate it encouraged cross-cultural understanding and stronger community ties across racial divisions.
Southern Oregon was the site of the first Chinese community in the Pacific Northwest and Jacksonville is one of the most significant sites of Chinese history in the region. The Chinese had a statistically significant population in Southern Oregon through the turn of the century and remain a vital part of the community. This exhibition celebrates the role the Chinese community played in shaping Southern Oregon into what it is today.