[BCMA] New exhibit at the Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

For Immediate Release October 1, 2013

Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives

Artefacts from Duncan’s Lost Chinatown 




Artefacts from Duncan’s Lost Chinatown is a new temporary exhibit in the Priscilla Lowe Gallery at the Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives and will be on view until November 16th. The exhibit complements the installation of a Confucius Statue donated to the City of Duncan by the family of Chinese pioneer Wah Sing Chow. The unveiling of the statue takes place on Friday, October 4th at 2 p.m. 




Duncan’s Chinatown once occupied the southwest corner of the city, just off of Government Street, and was a vibrant community in the early years of the 20th century. Hundreds of Chinese workers and merchants lived in and around this unique enclave. Like Chinatowns established in other major economic centres, it provided cultural insularity and relief from the overt racism that was often experienced by Chinese immigrants. 




In 2010, the museum was commissioned by the Duncan Business Improvement Association to design a permanent outdoor exhibit featuring images from the museum’s archives. Many people in the local Chinese community were delighted that the history of Duncan’s Chinatown was commemorated. 




The new exhibit features a fascinating array of artefacts from the museum’s collection as well as a few loaned from the Chinese community. “In addition to displaying the material evidence of Chinatown’s history, I’m delighted that members of the Chinese community have shared stories that illuminate the history of the artefacts. A memoir written by Mr. York Chew offers an invaluable record of what life was like in Duncan’s Chinatown”, noted curator Kathryn Gagnon. Most of the artefacts are from specific sites in the Cowichan Valley, such as those used by Chinese miners who worked at the Mt. Sicker copper mines. There are also items on display that were found during the demolition of the buildings in Chinatown. 




Many people regretted the controversial decision to raze Duncan’s Chinatown at the end of the 1960s. However, the issue brought to light the need to consider the retention of our built heritage and later influenced policies to address this. 




The Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives is located in the heritage designated Duncan Train Station, 130 Canada Avenue, Duncan. Please contact curator Kathryn Gagnon at (250) 746-6612 or cvmuseum.archives at shaw.ca for more information. Hours: Wednesday to Friday, 11 -4 and Saturday 1-4. Admission is by donation.
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