Where is Denver’s Chinatown? Stories Remembered, Reclaimed, Reimagined

Created in collaboration with Colorado Asian Pacific United (CAPU) and the University of Colorado Denver’s College of Architecture and Planning, Where is Denver’s Chinatown? Stories Remembered, Reclaimed, Reimagined takes visitors into one of the largest Chinatowns in the American West during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Using personal family photographs and objects, artifacts from History Colorado’s Collection, a portrayal of a typical home, and artistic reimaginings of the neighborhood, Where is Denver’s Chinatown? shares stories from the thriving community that called the neighborhood home.

 Once located in the area known today as Lower Downtown (LoDo), Denver’s Chinatown provided a welcoming space for Chinese people in Colorado, who built a flourishing community. The neighborhood represented the earliest Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community in Denver and provided a space where Chinese immigrants could celebrate their culture against a backdrop of frequent ignorance, hostility, and violence. 

The neighborhood persisted through the Anti-Chinese Riot of 1880 but eventually dispersed as a result of widespread anti-Chinese racism and the passage of national laws that restricted immigration and opportunities for Chinese nationals. In addition to looking at the history of the neighborhood Where is Denver’s Chinatown? Stories Remembered, Reclaimed, Reimagined also explores contemporary efforts by Colorado’s AANHPI communities to preserve and reclaim this history, and presents visions for its potential future as a cultural district.

October 9, 2024, 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Photo/Video opportunities of History Colorado Center’s newest exhibition and opening celebration featuring the performance of a traditional Chinese Lion Dance from 6 – 6:15 p.m. as well as interview opportunities with History Colorado staff, community collaborators, and guests are available.

History Colorado Center,

1200 Broadway, Denver

 Dawn DiPrince, president & CEO of History Colorado;

Nancy Chisholm, chair of History Colorado’s Board of Directors;

Dr. Josie Chang-Order, school programs manager and co-developer of the exhibition;

Samantha Martin, Temple Buell associate curator of architecture and co-developer of the exhibition;

Joie Ha, executive director of Colorado Asian Pacific United;

Leyuan Li, assistant professor at CU Denver College of Architecture and Planning

RSVP:

Email Luke Perkins at [email protected] if you plan to attend the opening reception or would like to schedule an advance to the exhibition and an interview with the exhibition developers.

MATERIALS: 

• Press Release 

INFO:

Additional information and tickets can be found at www.historycolorado.org.