Formed in the 1870s and 80s, Philadelphia’s Chinatown grew throughout the twentieth century from a society of bachelor sojourners to a thriving community that is home to a diverse range of Asian families, community organizations, churches, and of course, restaurants.  Throughout its history, the residents of Chinatown have faced challenges in the form of discrimination, cultural misunderstanding, lack of resources, and threats from urban redevelopment. Yet they have survived and retained the integrity of their community in the face of these challenges. The neighborhood, which continues to develop, now consists of over 50 restaurants and 15 grocery stores, as well as other businesses such as coffee and gift shops, beauty salons, bookstores, travel agencies, bakeries, and more. It is home to several schools, churches, community centers, arts organizations, and a housing complex for senior citizens. The population of Chinatown has grown to over 3,000 residents and continues to increase as new immigrants arrive and seek a foothold in the area. 

The materials collected here encourage teachers and students to look beyond the restaurants to explore the deeper history of Philadelphia’s Chinatown, and its ongoing struggles to remain a living community.