Chinese School Desk and Tools

The parents of Heinlenville started a Chinese school so that their children would not lose touch with their language and heritage. The first floor of the temple was used as the school, with simple wooden tables and benches making up the classroom. School was held every weekday from 5-8 p.m. Basic reading and writing skills were taught, and more advanced students studied history and the Chinese classics. Visible on the desk are samples of Chinese school tools, some of which are still used today by students attending Chinese school: a Chinese-English dictionary (c.1920s), calligraphy and memorization exercise books, Chinese ruler, elementary school primer, and a pair of inkwells. On display at the Chinese American Historical Museum at the Ng Shing Gung, History Park.