1938-1941
Fun in California: The Little-known Journey of Ada Hall
Ada Hall (1914-1997) was a Chinese American woman living in Vallejo, California. According to the 1940 census, Hall was 24 years old at the time (around the time of the creation of this album) and was employed as a housekeeper. She was married to James Hong Lee. Although we know little about her without further research, the photo album reveals much about her personality and her journey from 1938 to 1941.
In some of the photographs, Ada will omit naming herself and will occasionally designate herself with a question mark. Out of context, the question marks underneath her photographs make it appear to the viewer that the person in the photograph is unknown.
MC364 Ada Hall Photograph Album
On the left: “The Gang” and a photograph of Ada denoted with question marks.
On the right: Ada (denoted with question marks) and friends (Alan, Bill, Art, and Emma).
MC364 Ada Hall Photograph Album
Ada documents various fun moments with friends and family at the 1940 Golden Gate International Exposition at Treasure Island in San Francisco, California.
On the left: The candid shots include Mom, Phyllis, Grandma, and Ada.
On the right: The candid shots include Mom, Janet, Maurice, Dan, Edna, and Ada.
MC364 Ada Hall Photograph Album
MC364 Ada Hall Photograph Album
MC364 Ada Hall Photograph Album
The clippings and photographs she includes in this photograph album document the activities of the Chinese American community and her involvement. For example, there are two clippings related to an event called the “Rice Bowl Party.” According to the Smithsonian, between 1938 and 1941, Chinese Americans led fundraising efforts, known as Bowl of Rice parties, to raise money to aid Chinese civilians suffering in the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). Leaders organized Bowl of Rice party events in San Francisco’s and New York’s Chinatowns, along with over two thousand communities across the country. In the first clipping, Ada is featured as one of the organizers for a Bowl of Rice party in 1939.
The caption reads: “Captains of ticket selling teams for the second “Bowl of Rice” benefit party here on December 2… Lillian Wong, left, and Ada Hall, right. Dressed in native Chinese costumes, the girls are pictured…Committee Secretary Thor Eriksen.”
MC364 Ada Hall Photograph Album
Girls from left to right: Rose, [Dede?], Lily, Pauline, Laura, [Maity?], Priscilla, [Katy?].
Center: Mayor Stewart.
MC364 Ada Hall Photograph Album
Additionally, Ada includes photographs of the National Dollar Store, a prominent Chinese-American-owned retailer on the West Coast.
MC364 Ada Hall Photograph Album
Through Ada, we learn about the Chinese American experience in Northern California. Her experiences reveal her lighthearted nature and the way she contributed to her community.