From Hanford’s iconic China Alley to some of the area’s most beloved businesses and enduring agricultural families, Kings County’s Asian communities have left an indelible mark. This months-long celebration of local Asian history and culture shines a light on their stories.

Part I, which opens March 22, folds the experiences of early Asian immigrants to California in historical context and describes what they found and how they were treated when they arrived here.

Displays highlight various aspects of their lives from 1875 to 1946 and include scenes depicting the herbal shop of Dr. L.T. Sue, the Taoist Temple in China Alley and the barracks of internment camps where local Japanese were held during World War II. The role of schools, businesses and houses of worship in binding these communities is also explored.