A model of San Diego's Old Chinatown.

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In 1996, a longtime project came to fruition when the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum (SDCHM) opened its doors to the public. Their new home was formerly an old historic building—the Chinese Mission built in 1927—that was moved from First Avenue to the museum's current location at Third Avenue and J Street.

Today, the museum occupies two buildings: the renovated Chinese Mission and a contemporary ground floor space across the street in the Pacific Terrace condominium complex, which is used for special exhibits. The newer section was named the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Extension. It also houses a lecture hall, library and museum store.

Outside the museum, Extension is a wonderful statue of the First Emperor, Qin Shi Huang, known by many for his “Terracotta Army” of soldiers, chariots and horses discovered in 1974. That emperor standardized China's written language, currency and weights and measures. He was also responsible for building a major part of the Great Wall of China.

Executive director Alexander Chuang says the museum's purpose is twofold: Chinese-American history, and Chinese history, art and culture. He said in early days, some Chinese Historical Society board members wanted only Chinese American content at the museum, but he wanted both. “Chinese American history has only 150 years,” Chuang says, “but Chinese history has 5,000 years. So it's a good thing they agreed to this.”

A Buddha sculpture.

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Chuang said the original Chinese Mission structure was not only a church but was used as a school. He added that it also had beds for newcomers to stay on a temporary basis.

SDCHM has received many donations over the years, including several from Alex and Agnes Chuang. The permanent collection includes a bridal carriage, early hand laundry equipment, a warlord's bed, ancient Chinese currency, jade, pottery, paintings, models of early Chinese American settlements, and much more.

In back of the Mission structure is a serene garden, complete with waterfall, bubbling stream, wooden bridge and koi pond. The courtyard area includes a statue of Confucius, and replicas of a terracotta warrior and horse. Confucius is certainly a guiding light there. The museum's slogan is: “Never weary of learning, never tire of teaching.”

And as part of SDCHM's mission, its education outreach program has operated since 2000. That program offers classroom exhibit presentations to students throughout San Diego County. The museum also offers lectures. Dr. William Tong, a San Diego State University professor, recently discussed how his noninvasive lasers are used for enhancing archeological discoveries.

SDCHM's ongoing exhibition through April, Five Dynasties of Chinese Pottery, spans the Han, Tang, Song, Yuan and Ming Dynasties. That exhibit includes such artifacts as funerary jars, sculptures of horses and carriages, porcelain vessels and roof tile ends.

(Address: 404 Third Avenue and 328 J Street. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sunday noon - 4 p.m. Admission $2; members free. 619-338-9888)