A Print of a Chinese Theater in California: A Life History

Originally published in Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, the object gives rise to a series of questions. Who fashioned it? For whom was it intended? What kind of reaction did it elicit? What were its uses? How did it function as a social actor? What does it tell us about the four Chinese theaters in San Francisco between 1868 and 1879, as well as those in the nearby mining towns? This talk looks at the engraving as an object, placing it in multiple contexts, exploring its history, and linking it to sources old and new, such as news reports, digitization efforts, and museum exhibitions. 

This is the Cheng Foundation Lecture and is part of The Huntington Research 2025-2026 “Active in the Archive” lecture series. This event was recorded on Nov. 12, 2025.

About the Speaker

Nancy Yunhwa Rao is the Board of Governors Professor of Music, Rutgers University.