Letter to Ms. Carol D. Shull, Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places and Chief of the National Historic Landmarks Survey

Letter

Boxer, McClintock Urge National Recognition for First Japanese Settlement in the United States

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Representative Tom McClintock (R-CA) this week wrote to Carol D. Shull, the keeper of the National Register of Historic Places, to advocate for national recognition of the Gold Hill Wakamatsu Colony near Coloma, California.

The Wakamatsu Tea and Silk Colony, established in 1869, is recognized by the State of California and the Japanese American Citizens League as the first Japanese settlement in the United States. And the National Park Service has recognized the Colony's historical significance by listing it on the National Register of Historic Places. Senator Boxer and Representative McClintock are advocating that the Register list the Wakamatsu Colony as being of national significance, rather than of state or local significance.

A national-level listing would bring nationwide attention to the Gold Hill Wakamatsu Colony and could help it compete for private and public preservation money so future generations can learn about this crucial piece of Japanese-American history that took root in California.

Senator Boxer and Representative McClintock introduced the Gold Hill-Wakamatsu Preservation Act of 2009 last fall to confer national attention upon this site and authorize the Department of the Interior to acquire the site for historic preservation.

The full text of their letter is below:

January 19, 2010

Ms. Carol D. Shull
Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places
and Chief of the National Historic Landmarks Survey
National Park Service
1849 C Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20240

Dear Ms Shull:

We cherish the unique history of the State of California and its role as the Pacific gateway for generations of immigrants seeking a fresh start in the United States of America. Our shores have welcomed many people escaping from political unrest and civil strife throughout Asia, including the very first Japanese settlers in North America, who came to Gold Hill, California from Wakamatsu, Japan in 1869. The remarkable history of these first colonists, and their lasting impact on the State of California and our nation of immigrants is a story that must carry on for future generations.

For these reasons, we introduced the Gold Hill-Wakamatsu Preservation Act of 2009 to confer national attention upon this site, continuing forty years of historical commemoration beginning in 1969 when Governor Ronald Reagan declared this to be a state historical site. The National Park Service has also recognized the historical significance of the Gold Hill Wakamatsu Colony site by listing it on the National Register of Historic Places. We understand that the level of significance is still being determined, and respectfully urge you to list this site at the national level, rather than state or local level, fully commemorating the importance of the Wakamatsu Colony.

We believe the contributions of this colony lasted well past its two-year life near Coloma, California. In fact, many documented sources note that the chronology of Japanese immigration to the United States began with the successful migration and assimilation of these first Wakamatsu colonists. Their initial success in the fields of education and agriculture established California as the gateway for waves of Japanese immigrants entering our nation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. And the new agricultural products they introduced, such as mulberry trees for silk farming, bamboo roots, tea seeds, grape seedlings and short-grain rice, contributed to California's eventual preeminence as an agricultural and economic leader.

We appreciate the National Park Service's recognition of the Gold-Hill Wakamatsu Colony site and your consideration of our views on its level of significance.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator

Tom McClintock
Member of Congress

Source