11 Jun Getting Started with Cultural Resources

Hi friends! I’ve been in San Francisco for a little over a week now, and I’m getting used to riding the BART to and from the office. I’m also getting used to the additional hour of sunlight! In my first week of interning with the Pacific West Regional Office of the NPS, I have been part of planning meetings for the Discover SF! Youth Heritage Program, and begun conducting preliminary research for the prioritizing of potential National Historic Landmarks associated with the AAPI, LGBTQ, and LHI initiatives. On Friday, Elaine Jackson-Retondo and I made a site visit to the Little Manila Center in Stockton, California to meet with a few of the dedicated members of the Little Manila Foundation. Little Manila was home to the largest population of Filipinos    outside of the Philippines from the 1920s to the 1960s. The few historic buildings that remain at the Little Manila Historic Site are worthy of preservation; they help tell the story of the Filipinos’ farm labor struggles and the formation of the predominantly Filipino union, the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC). When Delano grape growers refused a wage of $1.40 per hour, more than 1,500 AWOC members went on strike and walke d out of the fields, making national history on that 8^th of September in 1965. Thanks to the hard work of those involved with preserving Little Manila in Stockton, the many sacrifices made by early Filipino Americans will not be forgotten and their histories can be reclaimed with pride by younger generations of Filipino Americans. I can’t forget to mention that our trip to Stockton also included a windshield survey of the first Sikh Temple in the United States, which was established in Stockton in 1912. The building appears to be in great condition and may perhaps be eligible for national designation! Last week’s work was rewarding and exciting! I can’t wait to share this week’s lessons and findings with you all!

Little Manila Center in Stockton, California
Left to right: Sara Delgadillo, Elaine Jackson-Retondo, Florence Quilantang, and Dawn Mabalon