After 20 years of planning, dreaming and hoping, the Filipino American National Historical Society will bring that dream to life in an amazing museum encasing the history and life of Fil-Am as far back as the 1920s.
“And the reason why they chose Stockton was because in the 20s and 30s, this is where the greater population of Filipinos settled,” said Perez. “They were migrant labourers but they always came back to Stockton.”
Stockton was also known to many as “Little Manila” and at one time held the largest population outside the Philippines of Filipino nationals.
Mel Lagasca, who is the FANHS interim museum chairperson, says that the museum will feature many historical items that will help others understand the life of Filipino Americans throughout the ages.
“It’s important that all citizens, not just Filipinos, but all American citizens understand all the contributions that Filipino Americans have made in this country,” said Lagasca.
Numerous chapters of ‘historical societies’ will donate items to assist the museum in providing unique aspects of Filipino American history.
“This museum will formalize all that whole process of gathering information, documenting, and accurately informing the public,” said Lagasca.
The museum has a tentative opening for the summer of 2015
They expect to open to the public as early as this summer.