“Chinese in Napa Valley” with John McCormick

We are honored to host John McCormick as he presents his new book in the History Press series, Chinese in Napa Valley: The Forgotten Community that Built Wine Country, in conversation with Jack Jue, Jr., family historian and author of the blog “Jue Joe Clan History.” This guest lecture will be hybrid, held both in-person at the Native Sons Hall on Coombs Street, and streamed live via Zoom, on Thursday, January 19th. The program will begin at 6pm with the presentation of recognition for Mayor Jack Ding of Sonoma and vintner Dr. Paul Gee. The guest lecture by John McCormick will begin at 7pm.

Chinese laborers were once the backbone of Napa Valley. Throughout the 1800s, they were the major labor force in the vineyards, quicksilver mines, hop farms, leather tanneries and laundries and carved out neighborhoods in towns throughout the Valley. These contributions did little to deter discrimination, and Anti-Chinese Leagues sprang up to harass and intimidate immigrants like Chan Wah Jack, who ran the successful Sang Lung store in Napa’s Chinatown. Join author John McCormick as he uncovers the forgotten contributions of the Chinese people in California’s most famous wine region. John’s new book, Chinese in Napa Valley, is available through Arcadia Press starting January 2, 2023 and will be for sale in the NCHS gift shop.

John McCormick grew up in Napa and is descended from five generations of Napa Valley residents. He received his bachelor’s in engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and his master’s in history from Harvard University.

Registration is $10 for NCHS Members and $20 for General Admission. Please select In-Person or Virtual. Ticket sales close January 19th at 3pm.

Watch the video trailer on YouTube.

Also, find the book on Goodreads!