In 2005, San Francisco Beautiful recognized the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum and Learning Center with a Beautification Award. The Chinatown Historical Museum is located in the historic YWCA on Clay Street in Chinatown. Many know that Julia Morgan designed the building, but few know that the original building was funded by private donations from Chinese laborers. It was designed with a Chinese sensibility and completed in 1932. The recent rehabilitation of the building has been a sensitive and economical paring away of decades of modernizations. The architecture of the YWCA building has been renewed for all to appreciate and the Historical Museum has become more central to the history and destiny of Chinatown.
For more than 40 years, San Francisco Beautiful has been honoring San Franciscans who make special contributions to the unique character and beauty of our City with the Annual Beautification Awards.