The following is an excerpt from an article by Srila Nayak as published in the Washington University in St. Louis University Libraries web site:
A new digital StoryMap project, Asia in St. Louis, traces the history and experiences of people of Chinese and Japanese descent in St. Louis, from the 1850s to the 1980s. Created by East Asian studies librarians and students at Washington University, Asia in St. Louis is an interactive, dynamic digital platform that combines maps, archival sources, photographs, and personal narratives. A unique, first-of-its-kind project on the subject, Asia in St. Louis helps us understand the locations and spaces in St. Louis that were a part of Asian American history in the region.
Construction of the Japanese Garden, located in Missouri Botanical Gardens
The project was inspired by a WashU spring 2022 course, Historical Method–Transregional History, taught by Uluğ Kuzuoğlu, assistant professor of history. “It is a learning platform for the public and the StoryMaps will also be used as instruction resources in writing classes,” said Joan Wang, East Asian and Chinese studies librarian, who led the project. Students in the College Writing course, Place & Perspective, will utilize the digital project to understand and write about the St Louis region.
The StoryMaps offer a powerful approach to studying the geography and cultural history of St. Louis through the lives of Asian immigrants and Asian Americans. The digital project is structured around four themes: Early Chinese and Chinese Americans in St. Louis; Historical Traces of Asian Americans in St. Louis; the arrival of Japanese Americans from World War II internment camps; and Asian American Civil Rights.
Hop Alley (Old Chinatown) occupied one block bounded by 7th Street and 8th Street and between Market Street and Walnut Street.
You can read more at: https://library.wustl.edu/news/telling-the-story-of-asian-americans-in-st-louis/.