Dear friends,
As the year draws to a close, we celebrate the National Asian Pacific American Museum Commission’s remarkable first eight months and the collective momentum we have built together. Since our ceremonial swearing-in at the Library of Congress in June, our bipartisan, congressionally appointed Commission has begun the critical work of assessing the feasibility of establishing the first national museum dedicated to preserving Asian Pacific American history and culture. We are deeply grateful for your support and proud of the meaningful progress we have made together.
In October, we launched a national listening tour to connect with community leaders, scholars, and cultural experts across the country. To date, we have visited New Jersey, Louisiana, and Northern California, gathering hundreds of oral and written public comments on how a potential future museum can best capture the depth, complexity, and richness of the Asian Pacific American experience. We look forward to visiting additional states in the new year and to deepening our engagement with communities across the country as our work continues.
We are also pleased to announce that SmithGroup – an award-winning, multi-national firm recognized for its expertise in research-driven design, advanced technologies, and data-informed planning – has been selected to support our evaluation of potential museum locations and associated costs. Their analysis will help inform our final report that will be delivered to Congress and the President in October 2026.
This progress would not be possible without the generosity of our donors and partners. This effort represents a rare moment to shape how Asian Pacific American histories are preserved and shared for generations to come. As we conclude the year, we invite you to consider making an end-of-year contribution to sustain this important momentum.
Thank you for being a part of this important journey. We wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year. With your continued support, 2026 will mark a defining moment as we work toward congressional authorization of a national museum that honors the history, achievements, and lasting impact of Asian Pacific Americans.
Sincerely,
Jay Xu
Co-Chair
Chiling Tong
Co-Chair
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About the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture
Established by the 117th Congress, the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture is charged with delivering to the President and Congress a comprehensive plan of action that will lay the groundwork for Congressional authorization of a museum in Washington, D.C. dedicated to honoring the achievements, progress, and lasting impact of Asian Pacific Americans. To learn more about the Commission’s work, visit nationalapamuseum.org or contact commission@nationalapamuseum.org.