# Chinese Historical Society of America

> Chinese-American museum in San Francisco, California

**Wikidata**: [Q5100486](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5100486)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Historical_Society_of_America)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/chinese-historical-society-of-america

## Summary
The Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA) is a Chinese-American museum, archives, and research institute located in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1963, it operates as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the study and preservation of Chinese-American history. The organization is situated in the Clay Street Center and is recognized internationally through various library and academic identifiers.

## Key Facts
- **Full Name**: Chinese Historical Society of America
- **Type**: Museum, Archives, Research Institute, Nonprofit Organization
- **Location**: Clay Street Center, San Francisco, California, United States (Postal Code 94108)
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 37.79388888888889, Longitude -122.4088888888889
- **Founded**: January 5, 1963
- **IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN)**: 94-6122446
- **Website**: http://chsa.org/ (English)
- **Phone**: +1-415-391-1188
- **Identifiers**:
  - ISNI: 0000000089712645
  - ROR ID: 003e2cn37
  - GRID ID: grid.446587.c
  - VIAF ID: 130779344
  - Library of Congress Authority ID: no88001652
  - National Library of Israel J9u ID: 987007594713005171
  - Freebase ID: /m/04f54y9
  - Yale LUX ID: group/f891de7d-742a-4f1b-8e4f-21a983ed4207
- **Social Media**: Twitter (@chsamuseum), Facebook (chsamuseum), LinkedIn (chinese-historical-society-of-america)
- **Wikipedia Languages**: English (en), Chinese (zh)
- **Partner IDs**: Google Arts & Culture (chinese-historical-society-of-america), Atlas Obscura (chinese-historical-society-of-america-san-francisco)

## FAQs
**Q: When was the Chinese Historical Society of America founded?**
A: The organization was founded on January 5, 1963.

**Q: Where is the Chinese Historical Society of America located?**
A: It is located in the Clay Street Center in San Francisco, California, United States, with the postal code 94108.

**Q: What are the primary functions of the Chinese Historical Society of America?**
A: It operates simultaneously as a museum, an archives, and a research institute focused on Chinese-American history.

**Q: Is the Chinese Historical Society of America a nonprofit organization?**
A: Yes, it is classified as a nonprofit organization with the IRS Employer Identification Number 94-6122446.

**Q: Which associations is the organization a member of?**
A: It is a member of the North American Reciprocal Museum Association and the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.

## Why It Matters
The Chinese Historical Society of America serves as a pivotal institution for the preservation and interpretation of Chinese-American heritage. By integrating the functions of a museum, archives, and research institute, it provides a comprehensive infrastructure for historical inquiry and cultural education. The organization's longevity—established in 1963—underscores its sustained role in documenting the Chinese-American experience. It acts as a custodian of community history, facilitating public engagement through physical exhibitions and digital partnerships with platforms like Google Arts & Culture.

## Notable For
- **Multifaceted Mission**: Distinguished by its combined role as a museum, archives, and research institute, a classification that differentiates it from institutions with a single focus.
- **Historical Longevity**: Founded in 1963, it has operated for over six decades as a dedicated entity for Chinese-American history.
- **International Recognition**: Holds identifiers in major global knowledge systems, including the Library of Congress, VIAF, and the German National Library (via ISNI).
- **Digital Accessibility**: Partners with Google Arts & Culture to provide digital access to its collections and exhibits.
- **Coalition Membership**: Recognized as a member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, highlighting its role in connecting history to contemporary human rights issues.

## Body

### Organizational Classification and Structure
The Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA) operates as a complex entity classified under multiple types. It functions as a museum and archives, while simultaneously operating as a research institute dedicated to generating new knowledge through systematic investigation. Legally, it is a nonprofit organization registered in the United States. This multi-layered classification allows the entity to curate physical exhibits, preserve historical documents, and conduct academic research under a single organizational umbrella.

### Location and Contact Details
The society is physically situated in San Francisco, California, specifically within the Clay Street Center. Its geographic coordinates are latitude 37.79388888888889 and longitude -122.4088888888889. The facility is accessible to the public, with contact channels including a phone number (+1-415-391-1188) and an official website (http://chsa.org/) presented in English.

### Financial History
Financial data indicates a trajectory of growth and fluctuation over the 2010–2023 period.
- **Revenue**: In 2023, the organization reported a revenue of $1,949,631, a notable increase from $618,278 in 2020.
- **Total Assets**: The organization held total assets valued at $3,742,917 in 2023.
- **Donations**: Contributions play a significant role in its operations, with donations reaching $1,869,763 in 2023, a substantial rise from $434,436 in 2020.

### Membership and Partnerships
CHSA maintains active connections with broader cultural and historical networks. It is a confirmed member of the **North American Reciprocal Museum Association**, which suggests reciprocal benefits with other participating museums. Additionally, its membership in the **International Coalition of Sites of Conscience** aligns it with a global network of historic sites, museums, and memory initiatives dedicated to connecting past struggles to contemporary human rights movements. The organization also functions as a partner for **Google Arts & Culture**, expanding its reach to a global digital audience.

### Academic and Identification Records
The entity is extensively cataloged across international library and academic systems:
- **ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier)**: 0000000089712645
- **ROR (Research Organization Registry)**: 003e2cn37
- **GRID (Global Research Identifier Database)**: grid.446587.c
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: no88001652
- **VIAF (Virtual International Authority File)**: 130779344
- **National Library of Israel J9u ID**: 987007594713005171

### Digital and Media Presence
Beyond its official website, the organization maintains a specific social media footprint. It utilizes the handle "chsamuseum" on both Twitter and Facebook, and maintains a profile on LinkedIn. Its Wikipedia presence spans two languages (English and Chinese), and it is indexed within the Atlas Obscura database for notable places.

## References

1. [GRID](https://www.grid.ac/institutes/grid.446587.c)
2. [Source](https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organizations-business-master-file-extract-eo-bmf)
3. GRID Release 2017-01-10
4. [Source](https://narmassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/NARM_FALL-2022.pdf)
5. [Source](https://www.sitesofconscience.org/members/members-list/)
6. [Source](https://chsa.org/)
7. Nonprofit Explorer
8. [Nonprofit Explorer](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/946122446)
9. GRID Release 2015-12-14
10. GRID Release 2016-12-06
11. [Chinese Historical Society of America – San Francisco, California - Atlas Obscura](https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/chinese-historical-society-of-america-san-francisco)
12. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File