On May 4, 2024 we conducted the inaugural Missouri History Museum bus tour visiting Chinese American Historical sites, which included our downtown Lost Chinatown and Valhalla Cemetery, one of the few cemeteries to accept Chinese for burials. 

“St. Louis’ Chinese American community traces its roots to the arrival of the first Chinese immigrant in 1857. This tour follows the intriguing path of succeeding generations of Chinese Americans who, despite discrimination and legal barriers, prospered and influenced our region’s culture from local food favorites to the built environment.” (Missouri Historical Society)

The bus tour commences. My first time as a bus tour leader.

We visit the site of Lost Chinatown in Downtown St. Louis.

A vist to Valhalla Cemetery, the only known cemetery to permit Chinese to be buried in the early 1920s.

A performance of a Chinese song, performed at the 1904 World’s Fair.

A visit to the Chinese Education and Culture Center in St. Louis.