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Chinese Historical Society of America Museum

Local HistoryHistoryClosed todaySee 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.

What's On

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Permanent Collections

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), Montgomery St (BART / Muni Metro)

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Hours

MonClosed
TueClosed
Wed10:00–17:00
ThuClosed
FriTodayClosed
Sat10:00–17:00
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.

Nearby

San Francisco Cable Car Museum

TransportFree3 min walk

Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD)

Art13 min walk

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA)

Art13 min walk

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), 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 We Are Bruce Lee: Under the Sky, One Family, Challenging a White-Washed History: Chinese Laundries in the U.S., Living in Chinatown: Memories in Miniature by Frank Wong.
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.

Anna Majkowska / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

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