Based on research gleaned from Chinese elders, community records, OHS photographs and current Portland Chinese Language School students, CCBA presents a non-didactic interpretation of an experience Chinatown kids shared – the CCBA Language School. Housed in the historic Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association building in NW Portland, the Language School played an important role in preserving, honoring and celebrating Chinese culture. In the 1930’s and later into the mid twentieth century, when the public-school bell released students at 3:00, they walked down the street to the CCBA Language School and stayed from 3:30 to 7:00pm.

ABOUT Beyond the Gate

A compelling 2,400 square foot multi-media exhibition combining original research, newly discovered artifacts, oral histories, animated film, video and audio components, and dramatic vignettes. Beyond the Gate tells a powerful story of Oregon’s early Chinese immigrants who built the second largest Chinatown in America, despite six decades of Chinese Exclusion. The exhibit opened at the Oregon Historical Society in 2016 and found a permanent home in 2018 at the Portland Chinatown Museum.

The exhibition was created by Curator, Dr. Jacqueline Peterson-Loomis with Associate Curator, Jennifer Fang; Exhibition Designer, Carey Wong; Graphic Designer, Bryan Potter Design; Lighting Designer, Geoff Korf. Animations by Rose Bond. Video production by Lawrence Johnson. Fabricated by Formations. AV by Delta AV.

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