Hmong Cultural Center Museum
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 Exterior of the museum | |
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| Established | 2021 |
|---|---|
| Location | 375 University Avenue West Suite 204 Saint Paul, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 44°57′22″N 93°06′57″W / 44.9560°N 93.1158°W |
| Type | Ethnographic history |
| Executive director | Txongpao Lee |
| Website | hmongculturalcentermuseum.org |
The Hmong Cultural Center Museum, situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is an institution operated by the Hmong Cultural Center dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage, history, and experiences of the Hmong people. It is one of the few museums in the US dedicated to this specific culture.
Museum
[edit]The Twin Cities has the highest concentration of Hmong residents in America, with over 70,000 individuals belonging to this community, predominantly residing in and around St. Paul. The museum is part of a larger organization, the Hmong Cultural Center, which was established in 1998. The museum originally operated out of three rooms in the Cultural Center on the second floor of the office building it was not until 2021 that a formal museum space was launched in a storefront in the same building to for more space and better accessibility serve school and other groups coming in to view the exhibits.[1][2] Vandalism to the storefront delayed the museum's grand opening by several weeks. In the early morning hours of September 8, 2021 vandals spray-painted the museum's storefront with white paint, obscuring existing messages about Black Lives Matter and poetry. They also stenciled, "Life, Liberty, Victory," a slogan affiliated with the fascist white supremacist group Patriot Front on a window. Surveillance footage captured images of three people believed to be involved in the vandalism. The incident sparked outrage and community support. Donations from individuals and corporations helped cover most of the repair and security costs.[3][4]
Exhibits and displays
[edit]The museum's core mission revolves around fostering public understanding and appreciation for Hmong traditions, history, and ongoing contributions to American society which it achieves this through curated collection of exhibits that incorporate interactive elements to engage visitors of all ages and backgrounds.[5] These exhibits delve into various aspects of Hmong culture, including:
- Detailed panels offer a deep dive into the complexities of the Secret War and the vibrant tapestry of Hmong history. Panels highlighting Hmong sports, such as the exceptional accomplishments of Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee, along with insights into Hmong culinary traditions, cultural practices, significant milestones, and more.
- A theater display features three documentaries, including a segment from "60 Minutes" in 1979 that discussed America's Secret War in Laos and the role of the Hmong community.
- Embroidered story cloths and traditional flower cloths are showcased alongside detailed explanations. Story cloths originated as a contemporary art form after the Hmong community's settlement in the U.S., while the symbolic significance of the flower cloths, deeply rooted in Hmong artistic heritage, is elaborated upon.[6][7]
Additional resources
[edit]The Hmong Cultural Center Museum also shares the Hmong Resource Center Library, which houses an extensive collection of Hmong-related literature and scholarly materials.[8][9]
References
[edit]- ^ "New Hmong Cultural Center Museum storefront space open with more room, more information". Twin Cities. 2021-12-30. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ Benjamin, Kim (2022-02-04). "Hmong Cultural Center Opens New Museum". Hmong Times. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ Johnson, Lauren M. (2021-09-14). "Vandalism delays the opening of the Hmong Cultural Center Museum in Minnesota". CNN. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ "After racist vandalism, Hmong museum reopens stronger than before". NBC News. 2022-02-03. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ Willms, Jan (2022-01-11). "Hmong Cultural Center Museum expands". Midway Como Frogtown Monitor. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ "New Hmong Cultural Center Museum storefront space open with more room, more information". Twin Cities. 2021-12-30. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ "Hmong Cultural Center of Minnesota | History, Travel, Arts, Science, People, Places Smithsonian Magazine". www.smithsonianmag.com. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ Staff, MNHS Reference. "LibGuides: Hmong-Americans in Minnesota: More". libguides.mnhs.org. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ "A visit to St. Paul's multi-faceted Hmong Cultural Center | Minitex". minitex.umn.edu. 2023-04-27. Retrieved 2024-04-08.