We are the Dallas Asian American Historical Society, and it is an honor to welcome you to our new space. So you might have noticed as you were coming in today that we are inside the South Side on Lamar Building, which is a historical landmark. It was built in 1912 as the Sears Roebuck Company Catalog Distribution Center.
So this corridor where we’re standing right now is where they used to load goods onto the train to be delivered to their final destination. So, this building, that company, and really Dallas as the thriving metroplex that it is, would not exist had it not been for the railroad system that connected North Texas to the rest of the country.
And, if there are any other Asian American history nerds in here, you’ll know that the railroads would not have been built without the labor of Chinese immigrants. So, all of this to say, Asian Americans have been contributing to North Texas for centuries, and yet… today is the first time that an Asian American historical and cultural center will be open in the city of Dallas.
Our mission is to research, preserve, and amplify history. But I think it’s also very important to recognize that, in moments like this, we are also making history.
On February 9th, the Dallas Asian American Historical Society celebrated the opening of our brand new home in the South Side on Lamar building’s Artist Quarter. The new gallery and community archive space represents a significant milestone in our mission to research, preserve, and amplify the legacy of Asian Americans in the Dallas area.
We invite community members to visit us, contribute their stories, and help build a comprehensive historical record of Asian American life in North Texas. Through this collaborative effort, we can ensure that our community’s legacy is preserved and celebrated for generations to come.