Yesterday's Farmer: Planting an American Dream Agricultural Exhibit - San JoseNEW

JAMsj will unveil a unique agricultural exhibit,"Yesterday's Farmer: Planting an American Dream," on Saturday, December 10, 2011. This exhibit provides a nostalgic look back to the early 1900s, when Japanese immigrant families first established permanent residency in the Santa Clara Valley.

Date
Dec 10, 2011

Time
10:00 am

More than 100 pieces of vintage farming equipment and vehicles will be on display, including a Model T truck, wagons, and tractors from 1902 to 1917. These artifacts were generously donated by members of the valley's Japanese American farming community, including items from the ranches of the late Eiichi Sakauye, historical preservationist, author, and agriculturalist who helped spearhead the formation of JAMsj.

The Issei (first generation) adapted intensive farming techniques, resulting in high yields achieved by creating the best conditions possible in a limited space. Their considerable success led to hostility, which contributed to the passage of the Alien Land Act in 1913 (preventing ownership of land by aliens ineligible for citizenship).

The exhibit launching will be preceded by a reception and keynote address by Dr. Gary Y. Okihiro, a founding member of JAMsj and co-author of Japanese Legacy: Farming and Community Life in California's Santa Clara Valley. In addition, there will be a reading of a special poem written by Janice Tao, dedicated to her husband's family, who farmed in San Jose's Berryessa area prior to World War II. The reception will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 566 N. Fifth Street (across the street from the museum). Limited parking is available in the church parking lot on N. Sixth Street.

Following the reception, visitors can tour the museum and be among the  first to view the new
agricultural exhibit.