We continue to learn and interpret the story of Kam Wah Chung, Lung On, Doc Hay and the Chinese contributions to Oregon through research conducted since 1968.
Past research has led us to know quite a bit about the influence of Kam Wah Chung locally and regionally. If it was not for research, we would likely not have a museum here today, or the building, or even know the influence Chinese had here on the local community.
The translation project really began in 1969 after the Kam Wah Chung & Co. building was open. Since then, several Asian Study students, mainly Chinese, have translated portions of the archives, epigrams, and other items that had Chinese writing.
This show was produced in the 1970s for Chinese television. Actors and film crews visited Kam Wah Chung for filming of the series and actors portrayed Doc Hay and Lung On. Though filming completed, it appears the series never aired in China, though we have several newspaper articles promoting and reporting the progress of the series.
Beginning in 1972, historic preservationist Al Staehli began documenting the building for listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Through his work, he was able to research an incomplete timeline on the history and construction of the building. His research has helped narrow the gaps in the building history, in particular the initial construction period of about 1865 when a road was constructed to transport goods and workers to the mines in Canyon City. He also determined that there were at least four construction phases including the last phase in which Lung On added his bedroom in 1914. We will continue his work in the near future.
Oral histories gathered over the years began as just anecdotal stories from people that knew Lung On and Doc Hay. Over time, a more serious robust recording of these histories became apparent, especially when stories were becoming more fluid through retelling. In 2006, a robust documentary of the stories took place from local residence about their knowledge of Doc hay, Lung On, the building, and Chinese within the community. We have about three dozen audio files and the transcripts of these oral histories. We still conduct oral histories today when visitors come in and start sharing their stories about Doc Hay or Bob Wah.
Carolyn Micnhimer, the first museum curator of Kam Wah Chung & Co. Museum for the City of John Day, personally sent letters to different companies to gather information about items found in the building, in particular items that Lung On sold in the general store. We still use her research as reference.
Carolyn also gathered stories. Stories came from visitors which she wrote down or received from them in letters, all of which she kept in a journal. Topics ranged from personal interactions between visitors to descriptions of items and herbs to the two Chinese gentlemen to visitor experiences with Kam Wah Chung on tours.
Though few professional researchers have conducted research on the temples and shrines in Kam Wah Chung, some have in which we have their papers. A new book on Chinese religion and temples will be out soon by married authors Dr. Chuimei Ho & Dr. Bennet Bronson of the Chinese in Northwest America Research Committee. They conduct research at Kam Wah Chung every few years on various topics.
There are other, minor research projects that occurred at Kam Wah Chung. A master student did his research on Chinese records, LPs, that Lung On and Doc Hay bought and played, which were many Chinese operas. Another master student wrote her thesis on the history of Kam Wah Chung witnessed through Doc Hay as a poetry series. Still others used information found here at Kam Wah Chung in their research for books, articles, publications, reports, and personal pleasure.