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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 31, 2016)
12A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 Christian: Chinese once comprised a third of Astoria’s population Continued from Page 1A A harvest celebration by ethnic Chinese and Vietnam- ese, the Mid-Autumn Festival is often seen as the second-most important holiday after the Chi- nese New Year in China and Tet in Vietnam. Building Astoria Christian said she was struck by the sheer impact of Chinese immigrants on Asto- ria when she researched their history. By 1880, Chinese immi- grants comprised a third of Astoria’s population, wrote Liisa Penner in the Clatsop County Historical Society’s Cumtux Magazine. They were drawn as cheap labor to work in the many waterfront canneries. “By 1880, the town took on a new look with streets leveled, docks reaching farther out into the river and buildings going up at an amazing rate,” Pen- ner wrote. “Much of this was accomplished, literally, on the backs of Chinese who were forced to labor on city proj- ects as a way of paying off a tax unfairly levied on them.” The population started wan- ing after the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. By World War II, Chinese labor contractors were largely nonexistent. Cumtux Magazine Much of Chinatown was demolished in the 1940s for the rerouting of what is now Marine Drive. ‘I just think it’s important to learn about all the groups that helped build Astoria.’ Victor Kee son of Chinese immigrant Sing Hee Leong Lighting up the moon Christian contacted Suenn Ho, the designer of the Gar- den of Surging Waves honor- ing Chinese heritage in Astoria, for help designing an art instal- lation for the festival. After hearing Christian’s proposal and her enthusiasm, Ho said, she couldn’t think of anything more fitting for the space. “The intention of the public garden is to have com- munity members take owner- ship of it,” she said. Ho, who grew up attend- ing the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong and has taught architecture for more than 20 years, helped Christian refine her art installation to a more vertically oriented display to hang along the garden’s story wall. On Wednesday, Christian walked into local eclectic Jeff Daly’s underground workshop with boxes of white LED lights and red lanterns. She started constructing a full-scale model of her installation, slated to go up Sept. 13 to Sept. 17 in the garden next to Astoria City Hall. Strands of LED lights will hang down like a curtain across 30 feet of the garden’s story wall on either side of the circu- lar moon gate. On each strand will hang six or seven red lan- terns, along with another three yellow lanterns above the moon gate. Christian has organized a pre-event at the Astoria Pub- lic Library 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 9 to promote the event. The event will include chil- dren’s stories from “Thank- ing the Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival,” a book being donated to the library by Ho. Honoring all Astorians A community celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival is from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 16 — the night of the full moon. The North Coast Chorale will play translated Chinese songs. Christian is also bringing in speakers with Chinese heritage to talk about their experiences in Astoria. One of the speakers will be local real estate agent Victor Kee, the son of Chinese immi- grant Sing Hee Leong, a bar- ber who served many of the region’s laborers. When Chris- tian reached out, Kee said, her idea brought up memories of his own childhood with his mother. “I got to remember all the times come August or Septem- ber, we’d get on the train, go spend a couple weeks in San Francisco.” Kee said he hopes the event will lead to a better archiving of Chinese history in Astoria. “I think all the ethnic groups of Astoria should be doing that,” he said, warning that time is running out as older genera- tions pass away. “I’m just hoping to raise more awareness,” Christian said. “I just think it’s important to learn about all the groups that helped build Astoria.” Clatsop County Historical Society Chinese immigrants were often employed as cheap labor for the region’s canneries. Hospice Volunteers Needed In the absence of a cure, care makes all the difference Cumtux Magazine Astoria’s Regatta Festival hits the streets of Chinatown in 1900. Labor Day Weekend Sidewalk sale Saturday, September 3 rd - Monday, September 5 th Make a Difference Show receipt of $100 or more at Daisy May’s for a free sandwich! Volunteers hold a special place in the hearts of our patients and their families. Volunteers serve hospice patients in a variety of ways including respite care, companionship, listening to concerns and other loving acts. Apply by Sept. 23 to be a hospice volunteer. Participation in a 20-hour training program (Oct. 3-7, 2016) is required. Limit one per receipt per person per day, cannot combine receipts. BATH & BODY WORKS • BOOK WAREHOUSE • BRUCE’S CANDY KITCHEN • CARTER’S • CHRISTOPHER & BANKS • CLAIRE’S • DAISY MAY’S SANDWICH SHOP • DRESS BARN & DRESS BARN WOMEN • EDDIE BAUER • FAMOUS FOOTWEAR OUTLET • GNC • HELLY HANSEN • KITCHEN COLLECTION • L’EGGS HANS BALI PLAYTEX EXPRESS • NIKE FACTORY STORE • OSH KOSH B’GOSH • PENDLETON • PERFECT LOOK • RACK ROOM SHOES • RUE 21 • SEASIDE SHIPPING CENTER • SUNSET EMPIRE TRANSIT KIOSK • THE WINE & BEER HAUS • TOKYO TERIYAKI • TOYS “R” US • VAN HEUSEN • ZUMIEZ Call our Volunteer Coordinator at 503-325-4321 for more information and an application. Free Coupon Book! 26 STORES. TOP BRANDS. FACTORY-DIRECT PRICES. HWY. 101 & 12TH AVE. IN SEASIDE, OR • SEASIDEOUTLETS.COM Lower Columbia Hospice serves patients and families in Clatsop County. 2111 Exchange St., Astoria, Oregon • 503-325-4321 www.columbiamemorial.org • A Planetree-Designated Hospital
