Visit the historic town of Locke
“Founded in 1915, Locke is the largest, most complete example of a rural agricultural Chinese American community in the United States.” On August 2, 1970, the National Park Service listed Locke in the National Register of Historic Places. This “Chinese Town” has the exclusive distinction of being established by Chinese Americans for Chinese American. Its unique charm and genuine authenticity brings many visitors.
Locke needs your support
The Locke Foundation is a 100% volunteer-run non-profit organization. We rely on volunteers and donations to ensure that the history and contributions of Chinese Americans in the Delta are preserved.
If you would like to be a volunteer, please visit the volunteer page. If you would like to make a donation, please visit the donations or membership page.
Things To Do
Museums
The Locke Foundation helps maintain four museums and a demonstration garden in the town of Locke: The Locke Boarding House Museum, The Chinese Schoolhouse Museum, the Dai Loy Museum, and the Jan Ying Museum.
A short walk off of Main Street leads to the Demonstration Garden, a living exhibit where traditional Chinese vegetables are grown.
Festivals
Every year, the Locke Foundation holds two festivals, the Lunar New Year festival in February/March and the Spring Festival in May. During the festival, hundreds of visitors visit Locke to enjoy the cultural activities.
Volunteer
Volunteers help tell the story of Chinese Americans in the Delta region by maintaining the Locke museums and gardens, serving as docents, creating educational materials, and collecting oral histories. Learn more by visiting the volunteering page.
College students and recent graduates can also apply for the Locke Foundation Internship Program.
Join the 1882 Foundation and the Locke Foundation in the historic town of Locke for a Talk Story with debut author Madelyn Postman. RSVP here.
Postman's debut book Staring into the Sun traces multiple generations of her Chinese American family from1895 to 2015 and reflects on themes of immigration and identity, intergenerational loss, and cultural erasure. Spanning continents and centuries, the collection weaves together stories from her great-grandfather Joe Shoong's journey from the impoverished outskirts of Zhongshan, China, to the National Dollar Stores of the American West, and finally, to Postman's own reckoning with her mother's death by suicide and what it means to carry a secret that shaped her entire life.
Staring into the Sun
The event will include a plaque unveiling at the Locke Chinese Schoolhouse (refurbished with funding from Joe Shoong in 1952); an author talk and Q+A; a book signing with the author; and complimentary light refreshments. Please bring cash to purchase the book ($17). All ages are welcome.
This event is hosted in partnership with the 1882 Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the history, experiences, and contributions of Chinese Americans are recognized, preserved, and included in the American story. Learn more here: https://1882foundation.org