The Museum of Chinese in America explores the lives, culture, and contributions of Chinese-American communities in the United States. It is located in Manhattan’s Chinatown neighborhood.
Here you can see how the Chinese diaspora developed in New York City and the United States. The museum is a must-see for those interested in immigration, Asian culture, and the multilayered history of New York City.
History
The museum began in the 1980s as a project to study Chinese immigrants in New York City. In 2009, MOCA moved to a new building at 215 Centre Street, designed by architect Maya Lin.
In January 2020, the building housing part of the collection was damaged by fire; some exhibits were damaged, but the museum was able to reopen and welcome visitors.
Collection and exhibitions
MOCA’s collection contains tens of thousands of artifacts—photographs, documents, family memorabilia, and household items—of Chinese-American families over the past 160 years.
The museum hosts exhibitions exploring the history of Chinese immigration, culture, and the diaspora. For example:
- Waves of Identity: 35 Years of Archiving — an exhibition that celebrated the museum’s 35th anniversary. It featured over 200 objects and multimedia from the MOCA archives.
- Interior Lives: Photographs of Chinese Americans in the 1980s — photographs capturing the daily lives and households of Chinese-American families in Manhattan’s Chinatown during the early 1980s.
- hapa.me: 25 Years of The Hapa Project — an exhibition dedicated to Asian-Pacific heritage.
There’s also a vibrant community here—the museum hosts meetings, lectures, and film screenings.
Fun facts
- The building’s interior features two entrances: one onto Centre Street and one onto Lafayette Street—one leading to the permanent exhibition, the other to a space for lectures, films, and meetings.
- The collection includes menus from Chinese restaurants in New York City, wedding dresses of Chinese-American families, and paper sculptures created by detained immigrants.
- The museum has faced criticism from some Chinatown residents, who believe its development is contributing to the gentrification of the area.
Visitor’s Information
Website: mocanyc.org
Adress: 215 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013
Admission: $12
