MOCA Fire Recovery Fund

FAIN: PB-272698-20

Museum of Chinese in America (New York, NY 10013-3601)
Yue Ma (Project Director: March 2020 to present)

On the 23th of January 2020, MOCA’s archives experienced a devastating fire at its 70 Mulberry Street location. The archival collection, 85,000 items acquired over 40 years, is the largest repository of Chinese American artifacts in the country and embodies the rich history of an immigrant population salient to the narrative of the United States. Most of the collection is feared to have been damaged or destroyed by smoke and water.  MOCA has now retrieved 80,000 items. Our immediate needs are immense. Drying out the items rescued is first priority to prevent permanent water and mold damage.  A Chairman’s grant of $30,000 would go a long way in the first phase of MOCA's fire recovery process.