Presented by Chelsea Rose, Research Archaeologist, RPA, MA Sonoma State University; BA University of Oregon

The Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology (SOULA) has been actively investigating Oregon's early Chinese migrants since 2012.  This has included Jacksonville's Chinese Quarter, sites associated with railroad workers on the Oregon and California Line and miners working along the John Day River, and most recently, Chinese villages where individuals emigrated from.  This talk will cover regional history, archaeological findings, public outreach, and the multi-pronged investigatory approach that is helping us to learn about the transnational lives of Oregon's early Chinese residents. With a particular focus on the idea of home, recent archaeological findings will be used to compare and contrast several Chinese households in southern China and on rural and urban sites in 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. Rose serves on the board of the Oregon Historical Quarterly and is a member of the governor appointed Oregon Heritage Commission. Nomad Press recently featured Rose in a book teaching young women about careers in science, called Archaeology: Cool Women Who Dig.

These monthly, free events are open to everyone interested in Oregon and Pacific Northwest history. Co-sponsored by like-minded historical and civic organizations, we bring you experts, scholars, first-person experiencers and historians who expound on topics from Lewis and Clark to shipwrecks, hop growing to women pioneers and far, far beyond. It's like being back in the classroom - except this time you get to settle into comfortable seats and enjoy a drink or two with dinner while you listen and learn.

This event is eligible for a History Pub Stamp