AIISF Newsletter / September 2025
A Message From AIISF’s Executive Director
Dear AIISF Friends and Family,
We’re holding the folks at Chinese Camp, Tuolumne County, in our thoughts and prayers, as they suffered a devastating fire last week resulting in evacuations and the loss of both residential and historic structures. The town, which was settled by Chinese immigrants during the Gold Rush, is a California Historical Landmark.
Last month, AIISF hosted the Committee of 100’s Northern California chapter for a VIP guided tour of Angel Island, participated in the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco’s Hungry Ghost Festival, and attended a meeting of the Chinese American Heritage Network. Each of these activities provided an opportunity to develop a shared sense of connection across history, culture, and current-day events. During challenging times, connection often becomes even more meaningful and important.
It was at the Chinese American Heritage Network meeting that I had the opportunity to meet Sonia Ng, the co-curator of Sojourning in Gold Mountain – Hong Kong and the Lives of Overseas Chinese in California. This world-class exhibit can be seen at the Hong Kong Museum of History through September 2026, and it includes a section focused on the history of Angel Island. If you aren’t planning to be in Hong Kong in the near future but want to learn more about the exhibit, you can catch Sonia’s presentation at the Chinese Historical Society of America on September 14.
This month, AIISF joins in the recognition and celebration of Hispanic and Latino/a/x Heritage Month! Immigrants from throughout Latin America, from Mexico to Chile, were detained at the Angel Island Immigration Station. Among them were Catarino and Esther Lopez, as well as their three children, who arrived at Angel Island in September 1913. Read more about their experience on our website.
I’m excited to share that we are partnering with Deepa Iyer for a virtual author spotlight. I’ve known Deepa for many years through her previous leadership at South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) and the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans. She’ll be joining us later this month to present her newest children’s book, adapted from her social change ecosystem framework.
Finally, heartfelt congratulations to long-time Angel Island champion Connie Young Yu, who is receiving a lifetime achievement award this month from the American Association for State and Local History. AIISF is proud to have submitted a letter of support for her nomination.
Les deseo descanso y resiliencia (Wishing you rest and resilience),
Edward Tepporn
AIISF Executive Director
SCAM ALERT
Our friends at Angel Island State Park recently received a scam call inquiring if they were donors to the Angel Island Immigration Station. The caller asked for a confirmation number. If you receive a similar call, do not share any of your personal information. If you ever receive a call allegedly from AIISF that you are unsure of, you can always double check by contacting us directly at our office number: (415) 658-7691.
ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE
The elevator in the Detention Barracks Museum is temporarily out-of-order. The first floor of the barracks is still ADA-accessible, but the second floor is only accessible by stairs. The elevator in the free-to-enter Angel Island Immigration Museum (AIIM) is operational and both floors are accessible.
Pathways to Immigration Special Campaign
Through our Pathways to Immigration Special Campaign, you can commemorate your own immigration journey, honor your family’s immigrant heritage, or show your allyship with immigrant communities.
Whether you or your family came through Angel Island or elsewhere and whether you arrived in the US decades ago or days ago, we welcome your name and your support.
For Students & Teachers
Field Trips
A new school year is starting; tour times for September to December NOW OPEN! Standard tour times are 11 am, 12:15 pm, and 1 pm.
We encourage teachers to reserve tours early, as space is limited!
Scholarships
Thanks to generous support from donors, we provide local, Bay Area public schools with field trip scholarships! These supplemental funds can help cover transportation costs, tickets, and other expenses related to visiting the Angel Island Immigration Station.
Upcoming Events
Hands on History
September 13 | 12 - 3:30 pm
Angel Island Immigration Museum
Click here to learn more
Visit Angel Island and engage with the site's history while practicing Chinese calligraphy!
Learn basic phrases and see a part of the process that immigrants did when writing their poetry.
Angel Island Read-Aloud: We are the Builders
September 30 | 4 - 5 pm
On Zoom
Click here to register
Listen to author Deepa Iyer read her book We Are The Builders, a story about community!
Follow along as the characters discover that there’s a place for every person, no matter their skills or interests—and that collaboration is what makes their community strong.
This event is FREE and open to the public. Registration is required.
Del Sol Quartet: Exploring the Chinese Diaspora Experience
October 4 | 11:30 pm
Angel Island Immigration Station
Click here to learn more
Del Sol Quartet is returning to Angel Island! Explore the history of Chinese immigrants on Angel Island with a 45-minute performance of music by Lei Liang, Gabriela Lena Frank, Meilina Tsui, and Zhong Juncheng.
The performance will be included in your $5 admission to the Detention Barracks Museum. The start time is subject to change.
Let us know if you'll be attending!
Community and Partner Programs
Weird & Wonderful Wildlife at Angel Island State Park!
September 12 | 9 am
On Zoom
Click here to register
Celebrate Biodiversity Week with Angel Island State Park on Zoom! Discover the Weird & Wonderful Plants and Animals found on the largest natural island in the San Francisco Bay. Learn how you can protect biodiversity whenever you visit state parks.
Pre-registration is required for this event!
Hong Kong Museum of History Presentation in SF Chinatown!
September 14 | 2:30 - 4:45 pm
CHSA Museum (965 Clay St, San Francisco)
Click here to purchase tickets
Join curator Dr. Sonia Ng for a presentation on Sojourning in Gold Mountain, an exhibition at the Hong Kong Museum of History about the experiences of overseas Chinese in California from the 19th to the mid-20th century.
The presentation will run from 2:30 to 3:30 pm, followed by a food and wine reception ending at 4:45 pm.
Admission is $15 for non-members; $10 for CHSA members.
panel discussion: A History of Chinese Life Under American Racial Law
September 20 | 2 - 4 pm
Oakland Asian Cultural Center (388 9th St Suite 290, Oakland)
Click here to learn more
Visit OACC for a panel on Chinese and Chinese Americans who endured racial violence and discrimination during the 1850s to the 1960s. Authors Michael Luo and Fae Myenne Ng, and Wong Kim Ark’s great-grandson Norman Wong, will discuss Chinese lives under American policy enacted to exclude, to deport, and to deny due process of law.
The event is FREE with registration.
Facing the Moon: Songs of the Diaspora with the Del Sol Quartet and Genny Lim
October 19 | 2 - 3:30 pm
Presidio Theatre Performing Arts (99 Moraga Ave, San Francisco)
Click here to learn more
In celebration of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, experience a multimedia performance featuring new works by San Francisco Poet Laureate Genny Lim, interwoven with music and interviews by Chinese diaspora composers Theresa Wong, Vivian Fung and Meilina Tsui.
The Del Sol Quartet centers this collaboration as producers and performers, building on their transformative Angel Island work, with a theatrical visual experience by Olivia Ting and Mark Hellar, and dancer Lynn Huang.
Tickets are required. Prices start at $38.
Community Resources
Mission Action
Mission Action (formerly Dolores Street Community Services) has steadily served San Francisco's Mission District for over 40 years.
Its programs build community power across the intersection of housing rights, immigrant rights, and worker rights. Through community engagement, organizing, and advocacy, Mission Action aims to affect broader social change by addressing the root causes that perpetuate injustice.
Click the buttons below to learn how Mission Action supports immigrant rights, including through deportation defense, legal services, and collective organizing:
AIISF is a small (but mighty) nonprofit that has worked tirelessly for the past 42 years to preserve the buildings at Angel Island and to elevate the stories of immigrants. Our ability to continue these preservation efforts and to continue to offer free or low-cost programs is dependent on the support of community members like you. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to AIISF.