The Markham Museum and the York Region District School Board Museum & Archives

The Markham Museum and the York Region District School Board Museum & Archives have jointly undertaken an extensive initiative culminating in the “Standing in the Doorway: Lived Histories & Experiences of the Chinese Community” exhibition series. The initiative marks the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act and explores York Region's Chinese community, balancing historical challenges like railroad labour and head taxes with modern stories of resilience. This project was developed with scholars, community advisors and youth. The project features 17 oral histories and 300 artifacts and has been made available through a physical exhibition at the Markham Museum, a virtual exhibit, and a travelling display for schools. The breadth of the project and the thoroughness of community consultation undertaken for this project showcase the hard work that is required for meaningful heritage conservation and accessible interpretation.