AARP Hearing Center
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From building the first transcontinental railroad to sacrificing their lives during World War II, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have long been a part of U.S. history.
Many of these contributions have been overlooked, glossed over or largely forgotten. But there are parks, monuments and memorials all over the country that recognize their contributions and experiences, and those places are worth a visit.
To celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, as well as to draw more attention to these landmarks, the U.S. National Park Service has curated an itinerary of national parks and historic places that recognize the important roles that those from the AAPI community have played. From Alaska’s historic canneries to the home of an internationally renowned Japanese American furniture designer in Pennsylvania, these places reflect the rich and diverse history, culture and heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders — and they make unique destinations to visit and explore.
In addition to the National Park Service’s suggestions, these seven important sites below tell part of the story of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders’ contributions to our culture and history. Because of COVID-19 safety precautions, some locations are open for limited hours or with restrictions. Be sure to check before visiting.
Angel Island
Immigration station
Science History Images / Alamy Stock Photo
Location: San Francisco, California
A scenic ferry ride from San Francisco, Angel Island was once known as the “Ellis Island of the West.” From 1910 to 1940, the Angel Island Immigration Station processed immigrants who crossed the Pacific Ocean, many of them from China, Japan, Korea, India and Russia. But unlike Ellis Island, many of these immigrants were detained in cramped barracks on the island for two weeks to six months — and in a few cases, years — because of anti-Asian immigration laws. With the city of San Francisco just beyond reach, Chinese immigrants, who made up the bulk of the detainees, carved poetry on the walls, lamenting, “With a gentle breeze I arrived at the city, thinking all would be so at ease. How was one to know he was to live in a wooden building?” Tours of the Immigration Station are currently unavailable due to COVID-19 safety precautions, but the buildings, along with the Angel Island Chinese Monument, can still be viewed from the outside. The former land of the Indigenous Coast Miwok tribe, Angel Island State Park also offers hiking and biking trails, camping and amazing vistas of the San Francisco skyline and bay.
Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
Chinese Wishing Trees in the KidPLACE exhibit
Paul Christian Gordon / Alamy Stock Photo
Location: Seattle, Washington
The Wing Luke Museum, a National Park Service Affiliated Area, features a rotating collection of displays that capture the Asian American and Pacific Islander experience, including a Cambodian Killing Fields Memorial, an ongoing exhibit called "Vietnam in the Rearview Mirror" and an upcoming look at the impact of COVID-19 and how it has shaped AAPI communities. Located in Seattle’s historic district, the 60,000-square foot, three-story museum was founded in honor of Wing Luke, a Chinese immigrant and the son of a laundryman and grocer. Luke served during World War II (earning a bronze medal) and was the first person of color elected to Seattle’s City Council. Luke died in 1965, at age 40, in a plane crash. The museum was created posthumously based on his vision. Can’t make it to Seattle? You can book a 30-minute virtual tour.
