Chinatown Gate
The South Cove area that the Chinese immigrants turned into their home was once home to all of the different immigrant groups throughout Boston’s history, with the Chinese being the last group to move into Boston. The Chinese began immigrating to Boston in the late nineteenth century, but primarily during the mid-twentieth century. Unlike many of the other nationalities, the Chinese did not leave the area. Instead they turned the area into their permanent home with a very unique culture.
When the immigrants first arrived in the area, many people believed they would “Americanize” or assimilate to the American way of life. Some of the merchants did assimilate to a point, but overall Boston’s Chinese population held onto their home culture while still picking up some American customs. The people stayed informed on what happened in China through newspapers, such as Chinese Monthly News. They also stayed involved by raising funds for China during times of aggression with Japan in the 1930s. Many of the population also showed their respect for their new country by raising funds for America during WWII. Another way of staying informed was with the use of public posters which was centered around Oxford and Beach Street. These posters helped people in many ways, one of which informing on the happenings of WWII. Other ways for the immigrants to hold onto their native culture was and still is through various community and family organizations. Some of the earliest organizations date back to the 1920s. They helped give the community a sense of unity.
The materials for the Chinatown Gate was donated to the City of Boston by the Taiwan government in 1976 and then later assembled and dedicated in 1982. It is a symbol dating back to the Song Dynasty from the 10th-13th century. The Boston gate is one of many across the United States, which recognize there is a Chinatown. It seems to be a figurative representation of the immigrants entering into their new home.
By: Jessica McKenzie
Credits and Sources:
Boston Art Commission. “Chinatown Gate.” Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture. Accessed September 13, 2016. http://www.publicartboston.com/content/chinatown-gate
Boston Chinatown. “Chinatown History.” Boston Chinatown. Accessed September 13, 2016. http://boston-chinatown.info/chinatown-history/
Chinese Historical Society of New England. “Oxford Street Wall Posters.” Chinese Historical Society of New England. Accessed September 13, 2016. http://www.chsne.org/these-words/oxford-street-bulletin-board/
Chinese Progressive Association. “History of Chinatown.” Northeastern University, University Libraries. 1991. Accessed September 13, 2016. https://repository.library.northeastern.edu/downloads/neu:275155?datastream_id=content
O’Connor, Thomas H. Boston: A to Z. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2000.
To, Wing-kai. “Restoring Chinese Heritage in Boston’s History.” Bridgewater Review 27, no. 2. (December 2008): 3-6. Accessed September 13, 2016. http://vc.bridgew.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1225&context=br_rev
