Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects

About Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects

A rich and compelling introduction to the history of Asian Pacific American communities as told through 101 objects, from a fortune cookie baking mold to the debut Ms. Marvel comic featuring Kamala Khan

A Booklist Top 10 Reference Book of 2024

Smithsonian Asian Pacific American History, Art, and Culture in 101 Objects invites readers to experience both well-known and untold stories through influential, controversial, and meaningful objects. Thematic chapters explore complex history and shared experiences: navigation, intersections, labor, innovation, belonging, tragedy, resistance and solidarity, community, service, memory, and joy. 

The book features vibrant full-color illustrations of objects that embody and engage with Asian Pacific American issues, including the immigrant experience, the importance of media representation, what history gets officially documented vs. what does not, and so much more. Those objects include: 

• Name tag for Challenger astronaut Ellison Onizuka
• Photograph of Hollywood actress Anna May Wong

• Hello Kitty bento box
• Stella Abrera’s ballet shoes, pancaked to match her skin color
• Caravan’s Thailand: Songs for Life album

• Sewing kit of internment camp survivor May Ishimoto

• Nam June Paik’s Electronic Superhighway: Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii

• The Devanagari typographical font patented by Hari Govind Govil