Back to museums
Brick entrance of the former Chinatown YWCA at 965 Clay Street, with green-tiled Chinese-style roof and YWCA sign, now the CHSA museum

Chinese Historical Society of America Museum

Local HistoryHistoryOpens 10amSee website for pricingChinatown–Rose Pak (Muni Metro T Third Street)

Founded in 1963, the Chinese Historical Society of America is the oldest organisation in the US dedicated to documenting Chinese American history. Since 2001 its museum has occupied the former Chinatown YWCA on Clay Street, a brick building designed by Julia Morgan and completed in 1932, with Chinese-style tiled rooflines. Exhibits cover immigration, exclusion and community life; the long-running We Are Bruce Lee show honours the San Francisco-born icon, who was born a few blocks away. Note the short hours: the museum opens only on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

More in San Francisco

On nowAll of October 2026

What's On

Now
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Bruce Lee in a 1971 publicity portrait

We Are Bruce Lee: Under the Sky, One Family

Long-running show on the San Francisco-born icon as athlete, thinker and unifier, with his original artwork, documents and training materials, plus a board-breaking station.

Now showingFrom 24 Apr 2022
Artwork from the Chinese Laundries in the U.S. student showcase at CHSA

Challenging a White-Washed History: Chinese Laundries in the U.S.

Student-made showcase of oral histories, artwork and artifacts on how laundry work became a survival path for Chinese immigrants facing exclusion and racism.

Now showingFrom 10 May 2025
The Underground gallery at CHSA with Enter the Dragon posters, murals and Bruce Lee film on screen

The Underground: We Love Bruce Lee

Immersive basement gallery by 14 Bay Area artists on Bruce Lee's influence in the Black community, with murals, altars and a film on his mark on hip-hop and breakdancing.

Now showingOngoing

Permanent Collections

Frank Wong with one of his Chinatown miniature dioramas

Living in Chinatown: Memories in Miniature by Frank Wong

Seven meticulous dioramas of Chinatown shops and homes by former Hollywood set designer Frank Wong, on permanent display in the Learning Center.

Permanent collection

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

965 Clay Street, San Francisco, CA 94108

Nearest station: Chinatown–Rose Pak (Muni Metro T Third Street), Powell & Clay (Powell-Mason / Powell-Hyde cable cars) and Montgomery St (BART / Muni Metro)

Show on map

Hours

MonClosed
TueClosed
Wed10:00–17:00
ThuClosed
FriClosed
SatToday10:00–17:00
SunClosed

Admission

See website

Students, seniors and military veterans $10; EBT/Medi-Cal holders $3; CHSA members and ROAM/NARM reciprocal members free. Occasional free admission days.

Accessibility

See chsa.org/accessibility for access details.

Last verified

Get Directions Visit Website

Nearby

Brick exterior of the 1887 Washington/Mason cable car powerhouse and barn that houses the San Francisco Cable Car Museum

San Francisco Cable Car Museum

TransportFree3 min walk
Street entrance of the Museum of the African Diaspora at 685 Mission Street, San Francisco

Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD)

Art13 min walk
Exterior of the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts galleries building seen from Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA)

Art13 min walk
SFMOMA seen from Yerba Buena Gardens: Mario Botta's striped brick building fronted by Snøhetta's white rippled expansion

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)

Design14 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Chinese Historical Society of America Museum cost?
Ticket prices for Chinese Historical Society of America Museum change by season and by exhibition. Students, seniors and military veterans $10; EBT/Medi-Cal holders $3; CHSA members and ROAM/NARM reciprocal members free. Occasional free admission days.. See the museum's website for the current rates and any concessions.
What are the opening hours of Chinese Historical Society of America Museum?
Chinese Historical Society of America Museum is open Wednesday and Saturday 10:00–17:00. Closed Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Chinese Historical Society of America Museum?
Chinese Historical Society of America Museum is located at 965 Clay Street, San Francisco, CA 94108, in the Chinatown area of San Francisco. The nearest stations are Chinatown–Rose Pak (Muni Metro T Third Street), Powell & Clay (Powell-Mason / Powell-Hyde cable cars) and Montgomery St (BART / Muni Metro).
What can I see at Chinese Historical Society of America Museum?
America's oldest Chinese American historical society, telling 170 years of Chinese American life inside Julia Morgan's 1932 Chinatown YWCA. Current highlights include The Underground: We Love Bruce Lee, Challenging a White-Washed History: Chinese Laundries in the U.S. and We Are Bruce Lee: Under the Sky, One Family.
Do I need to book Chinese Historical Society of America Museum in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit Chinese Historical Society of America Museum?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.
Is Chinese Historical Society of America Museum accessible?
See chsa.org/accessibility for access details.

Image credits

9

Your image? Ask us to correct or remove it.

Book tickets