History

November 5, 2021 0

A Chinese Restaurant in Mayberry

The Andy Griffith Show, which aired from 1960-1968, is a beloved and iconic comedy series. The core of the story centered on Sheriff Andy Taylor, a widower who is raising his son, Opie, with the assistance of his Aunt Bee, all in the small town of Mayberry, North Carolina. The show pulled in high ratings throughout its run, and is commonly listed as one of the best series in television. Today though, the series receives some criticism on the basis that there was very little in […]

September 3, 2021 0

The first Chinese restaurants in Cambridge

by Richard Auffrey

The first Chinese restaurants in Boston’s Chinatown appeared during the 1880s, but when did the first Chinese restaurant appear across the river, in Cambridge? It appears their first Chinese restaurant was not established until June 1902, with the opening of the Harvard Chinese Restaurant. It was located at 527 Massachusetts Avenue, on the second floor of the building, and employed only three people: a Chinese cook and two Chinese waiters. The Cambridge Chronicle, June 28, 1902, noted that it possessed two dining […]

August 20, 2021 0

The first August Moon Festival in Chinatown

by Richard Auffrey

In 1885, Boston’s Chinatown celebrated their first public celebration of Chinese New Year, their most important holiday. Curiously though, their second most important holiday, the August Moon Festival, wasn’t celebrated publicly in Chinatown until 1970. It is unclear why it took so long for this festival to be celebrated, but it would continue to be celebrated nearly every year afterwards. The history of the August Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Moon Festival, and the Mooncake Festival, […]

August 6, 2021 1

The origins of American chop suey

by Richard Auffrey

For those growing up in New England, especially during the 1960s-1980s, American chop suey was ubiquitous, at restaurants, functions, school cafeterias, and at home. The basics of this casserole dish included ground beef, macaroni and tomato sauce, with some variation of other ingredients, such as the addition of onions, peppers, or even Worcestershire sauce. I ate and enjoyed plenty of this hearty dish, which was considered inexpensive and easy to prepare. Many people believe that it is primarily a New England dish, largely […]

June 25, 2021 0

Dr. Ensang Cheng: Boston’s first Chinese licensed physician

by Richard Auffrey

The first Chinese doctors in the U.S. were herbalists, following an ancient tradition, and there are still Chinese herbalists today, including in Boston’s Chinatown. In the late 19th century, a handful of Chinese residents chose to attend American medical schools to receive a degree as a Medical Doctor, or M.D. In New England, Ensang Waniella Cheng became the first male Chinese student to graduate from Harvard Medical school, and was the only licensed Chinese doctor in New England for nearly […]

Chinese laundry business through history

June 11, 2021 0

An early history of Chinese laundries in Boston

by Richard Auffrey

During the 19th century, the most prevalent occupation for Chinese men who settled in the Boston area was being a laundryman. This was also true for many cities across the country, especially as the Chinese had few available options, being barred from many other occupations. The first Chinese laundry in the U.S. likely opened in San Francisco in 1851, and the first Chinese laundry in Boston, noted as a “California Chinese Laundry,” opened in February 1875 at 299 Tremont Street. […]

Moy Auk band leader and Chinatown restaurant owner

May 7, 2021 0

Moy Auk: band leader & famed chef

by Richard Auffrey

(請點這裡閱讀中文版。) During the late 1880s, one of the first and most famous restaurants in Boston’s Chinatown was owned by Moy Auk, who also led a famous Chinese musical band. His restaurant was referred to as the “Delmonico’s” of Chinatown. At this time, Delmonico’s, in Manhattan, was considered one of the finest restaurants in the country so this was very high praise. When Moy Auk traveled from China to the U.S., he first settled in San Francisco and opened a small restaurant. […]

March 19, 2021 0

The first attempt to eradicate Chinatown

by Richard Auffrey

(請點這裡閱讀中文版。) Around 1884, Boston’s Chinatown coalesced as a neighborhood and community, especially on Harrison Avenue. Only seven years later, the first attempt to eradicate Chinatown arose, fueled by racism and propelled by businesses seeking to get wealthier. At this point, there were less than 1000 Chinese living in Boston, and 70% of those worked in laundries. The endeavor to eliminate Chinatown centered on a proposal to widen Harrison Avenue, the section between Essex and Beach Streets. The Boston Globe, April 14, […]

February 19, 2021 0

Sam Wah Kee: Chinatown’s wealthy merchant turned fugitive

by Richard Auffrey

During the late 1880s and 1890s, Sam Wah Kee was the most wealthy Chinese merchant in all of New England, a leader of the Chinese Free Masons, and the uncrowned king of Chinatown. His ultimate fate is unknown, as he fled from federal authorities and apparently was never apprehended. It’s a fascinating tale of the rise and fall of an influential Chinese merchant in Boston’s Chinatown. Sam Wah Kee, whose family name was actually Ah Moy, was born on October 1, 1856, in […]

the celebration of Chinese New Year in Boston, with lanterns

February 5, 2021 0

The 150th anniversary of Chinese New Year in Massachusetts

by Richard Auffrey

This year, Chinese New Year starts on Friday, February 12, beginning the Year of the Ox. It’s also the 150th Anniversary of the first public celebration of Chinese New Year in Massachusetts. Although you might suspect that the celebration occurred in Chinatown, it actually began in North Adams, a city in the far northwestern region of the state. Prior to 1870, there were only a handful of Chinese living in Massachusetts, and any celebration of Chinese New Year was more […]

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