About Beyond Chinatown: Uncovering Oregon’s Rural Chinese History
Presented
by Chelsea Rose, historical archaeologist
This
talk will highlight the recent archaeological work and findings of the Oregon
Chinese Diaspora Project (OCDP), a multi-agency partnership that has been
excavating sites across the state in order to better understand and share the
history of Oregon's early Chinese residents. With a focus on rural communities,
remote mining camps, and railroad construction, this collaborative project has
provided important insight into the Chinese experience and role in the
settlement and development of Oregon.
About
the Speaker:
Chelsea
Rose is a historical archaeologist who focuses on the settlement and
development of the American West. She graduated with honors from the University
of Oregon and received her graduate degree in Cultural Resources Management
from Sonoma State University. Rose’s recent work has included research in the
Jacksonville Chinese Quarter, the homestead of frontier photographer Peter
Britt, the native Hawaiian mining camp of Kanaka Flat, and the Historic
Applegate Trail. Rose has been working with state and federal agencies to
create a research partnership that focuses on Oregon’s Chinese migrant history
and regularly works with the media, students, and community volunteers in an
effort to promote archaeological awareness and encourage historical
stewardship.
The
Oregon Chinese Diaspora Project is a collaborative multi-agency partnership
dedicated to research and education on Oregon's early Chinese population. The
project is currently working on sites from across the state, within
investigations focusing on Chinese railroad workers associated with the Oregon
and California Railroad and its early attempts to cross the Siskiyou mountains
(1883-1884), gold mining in the Blue Mountains (1860-1910), and rural Chinese
communities. The archaeological field school, public volunteer opportunities,
and outreach events planned for the summer of 2019 make the project and its
findings accessible to Oregonians with an interest in the underrepresented
history of our state.
Photo
Credit:
Chelsea Rose, SOULA