(CS4.4) Our Voices, Our Stories: The first Chinese Canadian Museum in Canada

This presentation will describe the heritage / building and the exhibitions of the Chinese Canadian Museum, the first such museum in Canada. Located in the historic Wing Sang Building in Vancouver Chinatown, the museum venue is a remarkable heritage site embodying Chinese experiences throughout the late 19th and 20th century and played a significant role in the social, economic, and cultural life of residents in Vancouver, BC. The Wing Sang Building symbolizes the resilience of Chinese Canadians and their contributions to the development of Vancouver and Canada. The museum has adapted the entire building to showcase a variety of exhibitions that feature the Chinese Canadian experience, immigration, diaspora, and culture. The museum also showcases an overview of Chinese migration and a tribute to the original Chinese Canadian Yip family through two interactive “Period Rooms” which immerse visitors into the 1920s and 1930s to provide a glimpse into the daily lives inside the Yip residence.
Our feature exhibition The Paper Trail delves into the late 19th century, when white Canadians faced the prospect that Chinese and other Asians might become a significant portion of the population of Canada. In response, 100 years ago, they passed a series of laws excluding Chinese people from speech, politics and citizenship. This national exhibition reveals the hidden histories behind the Chinese Immigration Act, many of the stories which excluded the Chinese community from Canada.
The design and visual presentation of Wing Sang Building provide a transformational experience for the curious museumgoer. Upon entering the heritage museum, visitors are transported into the history of old Chinatown; they can also enjoy contemporary elements of the architectural re-design led by Francl Architecture. The fusing of historic and contemporary is epitomized in the preservation of much of the original brick and wood, while incorporating modern concrete and glass in the Wing Sang Building. The site reflects CCM’s aspiration of connecting the past and present, across generations.

The opening of the Chinese Canadian Museum is a significant milestone for Chinese communities across Canada who have cultural connections around the world and society at large. At a time when anti-Asian racism has reverberated across North America and beyond, the museum’s work is a powerful reminder of the importance of educating and celebrating the contributions of diverse communities who help shape Canada's history and identity.