Chinese Americans of New Mexico

Learn about the Chinese immigrants and Chinese American communities in New Mexico through photographs, documents and family heirlooms.

Chinese immigrants first came to New Mexico in in large numbers in the 1800s and like

other immigrant groups, were looking for jobs. In the early 1900s, a small but permanent Chinese-American community took root in New Mexico. New Mexico’s Chinese-American community became more diverse after World War II. The growing community included refugees from the Communist takeover of mainland China, along with immigrants from Taiwan. The exhibition recounts the story of Chinese immigrants and Chinese American communities in New Mexico through photographs, documents and family heirlooms.