Public Programs & Events

Asian-American communities are a relatively recent, late 20th phenomenon, with a few exceptions on the West Coast, right? Wrong. New England in fact, has a rich AAPI history as the home of one of the earliest diasporic Asian communities in 19th century America. Asian and Pacific Islander populations—and how government and political forces interacted with said populations— have shaped Boston and the world beyond over the past two centuries. 

This program will chronicle some of these surprising, yet notable historic figures and communities, highlighting forgotten Revolutionary War soldiers, the role of Asia in New England’s art world, and New England’s role in the deposal of three Asian and Pacific Islander monarchies.

$8 for members and those on a tighter budget, $13 general ticket, $20 supporter ticket

Sharon Kong-Perring is a PhD Candidate in Media and Cultural Studies at Birmingham City University in the UK. Her research focuses on the intersection between contemporary Korean popular culture as a projection and re-adaption of traditional Korean culture and society. Primarily, she explores the transcultural translations between western and eastern subcultures. In her professional life, Sharon has worked in collections and interpretation for a variety of New England and California museum institutions

Image: Queen Liliuokalani of the Kingdom of Hawaii c.1900, Hawaii State Archives