Asian Americans in Maryland
Historic Context Statement Toolkit
In 2020, the Maryland Historical Trust received a National Park Service Underrepresented Community Grant for a Historic Context Study of Asian Americans in Maryland. This document, created by graduate students at the University of Maryland, is a guide designed to aid in the development of that historic context statement. For purposes of this document, Asian Americans are meant to include all people and groups who trace their origins to communities in the Asian geographic region. It is a mistake to assume, for example, that Chinese-Americans, Korean-Americans, and Indian Americans have all had similar experiences in the United States. Members of these groups immigrated during different periods, settled in distinct areas, and have unique stories, achievements, and struggles.
During the course of this toolkit’s development, the decision was made to specifically focus on Chinese-Americans in Baltimore’s Chinatown. There are a number of reasons for this: (1) The history of Chinese-Americans in Maryland predates that of other Asian American groups; (2) While formal documentation of Asian Americans in Maryland is scant, most of the extant research focuses on Chinese-Americans in Baltimore’s Chinatown; and (3) Baltimore’s historic Chinatown presents a clear collection of historically important buildings to the Chinese-American community that are also likely to satisfy the National Park Service’s rigid historic preservation criteria. As a result, references are made throughout this document to Chinese Americans in Baltimore.
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Video for MHT’s Architectural Fieldwork Symposium discussing AAPI context studies, preliminary work on Asian Americans in Maryland, and University of Maryland studio course.
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While this document was created for MHT, its application extends beyond both Maryland and the Asian American community. Community engagement, archival research, and historic resource surveys are foundational components of all historic context statements. Therefore, the research, tools, and recommendations in this toolkit are relevant to any person, group, or organization interested in developing a historic context statement.
The section above raises a number of questions that will be addressed in greater detail below:
The section above raises a number of questions that will be addressed in greater detail below:
- What is a historic context statement?
- What are the components of a historic context statement?
- Why is MHT developing an Asian Americans in Maryland historic context statement?
- How does the historic context statement reflect broader themes in historic preservation?
- Are there precedents for an Asian Americans in Maryland historic context statement?
What is a historic context statement?
Historic context statements are written documents that guide the survey and evaluation of historic resources for significance and integrity.[1] Barbara Wyatt notes that a historic context “should be considered a summary document” that highlights trends and patterns that are important for understanding the built environment but “not a thesis.”[2] Historic context statements “place built resources in the appropriate historic, social, and architectural context so that the relationship between an area’s physical environment and its broader history can be established.” [3] |
California Office of Preservation video explaining historic context statements.
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What are the components of a historic context statement?
The typical components of a historic context statement--with brief descriptions from Barbara Wyatt’s April 9, 2009 National Register White Paper--are listed below. A fuller description of each component can be found here.
Components of a Historic Context Statement
Why is MHT seeking help with a historic context statement for the Asian American community?
Asian Americans have a long history in Maryland, dating back to the arrival of Chinese Americans in the 19th century.[4] Since that time, Asian Americans have settled in Maryland, shopped in Maryland, and opened businesses in Maryland; as a result, Asian American communities have uniquely shaped the built environment of the state. Historic resources—both protected and undiscovered—are under constant threat of deterioration and redevelopment; furthermore, the longer a historic resource remains unprotected, the more likely it is that the stories and memories associated with the place are lost to time. For example, preliminary investigations into Baltimore’s Chinatown demonstrate that many of the physical structures have been severely modified or demolished. A historic context statement will provide a broad overview of the history of Asian Americans in Maryland, identify themes among the surviving historic resources, and provide suggestions for future inquiries. In other words, it is an important first step toward preserving the places—and ultimately the memories—that are important to the Asian American community.
The typical components of a historic context statement--with brief descriptions from Barbara Wyatt’s April 9, 2009 National Register White Paper--are listed below. A fuller description of each component can be found here.
Components of a Historic Context Statement
- Statement of Context: “A summary statement that identifies the areas of significance or themes, time periods, and geographic areas that are encompassed by the context.”
- Background History: “A brief overview of the history of the geographic area encompassed by the context.”
- Definition of the Context: “The thematic, temporal, and geographic parameters of the theme or Area of Significance.”
- Development of the Theme or Area of Significance: The “pertinent environmental, economic, cultural, technological, settlement, and governmental factors that may have influenced development of the context.”
- Associated Property Types: “The types of properties that are related to the context and their locational patterns.”
Why is MHT seeking help with a historic context statement for the Asian American community?
Asian Americans have a long history in Maryland, dating back to the arrival of Chinese Americans in the 19th century.[4] Since that time, Asian Americans have settled in Maryland, shopped in Maryland, and opened businesses in Maryland; as a result, Asian American communities have uniquely shaped the built environment of the state. Historic resources—both protected and undiscovered—are under constant threat of deterioration and redevelopment; furthermore, the longer a historic resource remains unprotected, the more likely it is that the stories and memories associated with the place are lost to time. For example, preliminary investigations into Baltimore’s Chinatown demonstrate that many of the physical structures have been severely modified or demolished. A historic context statement will provide a broad overview of the history of Asian Americans in Maryland, identify themes among the surviving historic resources, and provide suggestions for future inquiries. In other words, it is an important first step toward preserving the places—and ultimately the memories—that are important to the Asian American community.
How does the historic context statement reflect broader themes in historic preservation?
Racial and ethnic minorities are significantly underrepresented in historic preservation.[5] Ned Kauffman argues that this diversity deficit is problematic for society because “it’s important to have visible artifacts” that can help to convey the experiences of different groups of people in the United States.[6] Without representation, historical narratives risk bias against underrepresented groups such as Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI).[7] The reasons for underrepresentation are varied: historic preservation criteria are inflexible; exterior forces like discrimination have impacted Asian Americans’ impact on the built environment; and few Asian Americans perceive historic preservation as a helpful tool.[8] As a result, historic preservationists must take a more innovative approach to meet the “tremendous unmet demand for historic places that tell the stories of minority communities.”[9] |
Dismantle Preservation panel discussion on implicit bias.
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How does this manual help?
This toolkit focuses on three critical components for developing the historic context statement: community engagement, archival sources, and historic resource surveys. Each of these components is explored in sections that discuss what the tool is, why the tool is important, and how the tool is utilized. Traditional and non-traditional means of engaging the community, researching archives, and surveying historic resources are explored. The inclusion of non-traditional methods seeks to address two significant concerns. First, traditional methods are ineffective at fully capturing the stories and experiences of minority communities when utilized in isolation. For example, the underrepresentation of Asian Americans in newspapers limits their effectiveness as a resource for historic context statements. Secondly, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic complicates the research process because the Centers for Disease Control advises against gatherings and many public archives and other institutions remain closed. However, by utilizing both conventional and unconventional methods, the hope is that MHT can successfully develop a historic context statement that is inclusive and equitably representative of the experiences of Asian Americans in Maryland.
Are there precedents for an Asian Americans in Maryland historic context statement?Yes. A number of locales, predominantly in California, have completed historic context statements for Asian American communities. Although the statements are location-specific, there is much to be gleaned from looking at them. For example, the statements utilize a variety of methodological approaches and organize development into different themes:
References
1. “Historic Context Statements,” California Preservation Foundation, 2016, 2,
2. Barbara Wyatt, “The Components of a Historic Context,” A National Register White Paper, April 9, 2009, 2.
3. “Historic Context Statements,” California Preservation Foundation, 4.
4. Leslie Chin, “History of Chinese Americans in Baltimore,” (Baltimore: Greater Baltimore Chinese-American Bicentennial Committee, 1976), 3.
5. Toni Lee, “Cultural Diversity in Historic Preservation: Where We Have Been, Where We Are Going,” Forum Journal 27, no. 1 (Fall 2012): 20-34.
6. Ned Kaufman, “Historic Places and the Diversity Deficit in Heritage Conservation,” CRM Journal 1, no. 2 (Summer 2004): 74.
7. Franklin Odo, “Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans Revisited: An Introduction to the National Historic Landmarks Theme Study,” in Finding a Path Forward: Asian American/Pacific Islander National Historic Landmarks Theme Study, ed. Franklin Odo (National Park Service: 2018), 6. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/tellingallamericansstories/upload/AAPI-Booklet-508-compliant.pdf
8. Michelle Magalong, “Politics of Representation and Participation in Federal Historic Preservation Programs,” (PhD diss., University of California Los Angeles, 2017), 99–100.
9. Kaufman, “Diversity Deficit,” 71.
10. David C. Oh, “Covering Asian America: A Content Analysis Examining Asian American Community Size and Its Relationship to Major Newspapers' Coverage,” Howard Journal of Communications 20, no. 3 (2009): 222-241.
This toolkit focuses on three critical components for developing the historic context statement: community engagement, archival sources, and historic resource surveys. Each of these components is explored in sections that discuss what the tool is, why the tool is important, and how the tool is utilized. Traditional and non-traditional means of engaging the community, researching archives, and surveying historic resources are explored. The inclusion of non-traditional methods seeks to address two significant concerns. First, traditional methods are ineffective at fully capturing the stories and experiences of minority communities when utilized in isolation. For example, the underrepresentation of Asian Americans in newspapers limits their effectiveness as a resource for historic context statements. Secondly, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic complicates the research process because the Centers for Disease Control advises against gatherings and many public archives and other institutions remain closed. However, by utilizing both conventional and unconventional methods, the hope is that MHT can successfully develop a historic context statement that is inclusive and equitably representative of the experiences of Asian Americans in Maryland.
Are there precedents for an Asian Americans in Maryland historic context statement?Yes. A number of locales, predominantly in California, have completed historic context statements for Asian American communities. Although the statements are location-specific, there is much to be gleaned from looking at them. For example, the statements utilize a variety of methodological approaches and organize development into different themes:
- Chinese Americans in Los Angeles, 1850-1980
- Chinese Americans in Riverside
- Chinese Immigrants and Chinese Americans in the City of Boston
References
1. “Historic Context Statements,” California Preservation Foundation, 2016, 2,
2. Barbara Wyatt, “The Components of a Historic Context,” A National Register White Paper, April 9, 2009, 2.
3. “Historic Context Statements,” California Preservation Foundation, 4.
4. Leslie Chin, “History of Chinese Americans in Baltimore,” (Baltimore: Greater Baltimore Chinese-American Bicentennial Committee, 1976), 3.
5. Toni Lee, “Cultural Diversity in Historic Preservation: Where We Have Been, Where We Are Going,” Forum Journal 27, no. 1 (Fall 2012): 20-34.
6. Ned Kaufman, “Historic Places and the Diversity Deficit in Heritage Conservation,” CRM Journal 1, no. 2 (Summer 2004): 74.
7. Franklin Odo, “Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans Revisited: An Introduction to the National Historic Landmarks Theme Study,” in Finding a Path Forward: Asian American/Pacific Islander National Historic Landmarks Theme Study, ed. Franklin Odo (National Park Service: 2018), 6. https://www.nps.gov/subjects/tellingallamericansstories/upload/AAPI-Booklet-508-compliant.pdf
8. Michelle Magalong, “Politics of Representation and Participation in Federal Historic Preservation Programs,” (PhD diss., University of California Los Angeles, 2017), 99–100.
9. Kaufman, “Diversity Deficit,” 71.
10. David C. Oh, “Covering Asian America: A Content Analysis Examining Asian American Community Size and Its Relationship to Major Newspapers' Coverage,” Howard Journal of Communications 20, no. 3 (2009): 222-241.