The National Park Service and The National Register of Historic Places both commemorate the historic places that embrace Asian American and Pacific Islanders culture and stories. The historic places listed below signify the importance of diversity and to educate visitors on heritage from the past and today. Be sure to explore what you can do to share your own stories and the places that matter to you.
Lung House, Austin, Texas: The Lungs were one of the first Chinese families settled in Austin. They established and maintained a thriving restaurant in the city for more than 60 years. The Lung family's experience is representative of Chinese Americans in Austin during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Rose Island Concrete Monument, Rose Island District, American Samoa: The Rose Island Monument commemorates a significant event and trend in history of the United States, reinforcing the claim of sovereignty of the U.S. Territory of American Samoa over Rose Island. The monument was constructed in 1920. It still serves to display the historical claim of the island by American Samoa and the United States.
Portland New Chinatown--Japantown Historic District, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon: The Portland New Chinatown/Japantown Historic District is the largest and most intact Chinatown in Oregon. Between 1880 and 1910, Portland's Chinese population increased dramatically. This was due to new work opportunities that replaced land clearing, mining, and railroad construction that had been available to the original sojourners. At the time, Chinese were excluded from living in other areas of the city and denied the right to own property. Because of this, Chinatown soon became a high-density ghetto with over 300 Chinese residents per block.
Chinatown and Little Italy Historic District, New York, New York: The Chinatown and Little Italy neighborhoods in Manhattan were forged from the mid 19th to the early 20th century. This dynamic period in history was a time when waves of immigrants from all corners of the world came to New York seeking opportunity.
Many more AAPI places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.