AANHPI Heritage Month: California state park plans a public celebration of Chinese house of worship

The interior of the Weavervill Joss House tells stories of Chinese immigrants.

California State Parks and its partner, the Weaverville Joss House Association, invite the public to watch history come alive during the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Day with a Lion Dance at Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park (SHP). This free event will take place Saturday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month is an annually observed commemorative month in the United States. It is celebrated during the month of May, and recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture and achievements of the United States.

The Weaverville Joss House, known traditionally as the Temple among the Forest beneath the Clouds. Built in 1874, it stands as a resilient anchor of cultural history. It is the oldest continuously used Chinese temple in California and the entire United States.

Hundreds of Chinese miners arrived here during the 1850s Gold Rush. They faced immense discrimination and heavy foreign miner taxes. This temple was their safe space. It functioned as a house of worship, a social hall, and a travelers' hostel.

The interior walls hold actual handwritten census logs. These logs provide a rare, priceless archive of a community that left behind very few written records.

The Joss House is an active house of worship.

Culturally, it’s believed that lions will preserve peace and tranquility in the community and prevail over all evil to bring joy and happiness. After the lion dance, there will be a traditional firecracker display, followed by a dragon dance by the Eastern Ways Martial Arts School. Refreshments will include green tea ice cream with specialty tea and cookies provided by the Weaverville Joss House Association.

Since it’s the Year of the Fire Horse, there will be fire horse crafts for children and guided tours of the Temple of the Forest Beneath the Clouds (Cloud Forest Temple), the oldest continuously used Chinese temple in California.

WHAT: Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Day

WHEN: Saturday, May 23, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

WHERE: Weaverville Joss House State Historic Park,630 Main St., Weaverville, CA 96093

California State Parks welcomes all visitors. For more information about the event or if members of your group have accessibility needs, please contact the park at (530) 623-5284 in advance to arrange accommodations.You can also get updates by following the park’s Facebook page.

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