Day 10 - Range 99, Congressional Cemetery, Washington D.C.

📌APIA Every Day (10) - Range 99 at the Historic Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C., holds a unique historical significance as the burial site for nearly 100 Chinese immigrants from 1896 to 1938. These individuals were pioneers among the first Chinese migrants to the city and played a significant role in the diverse tapestry of the nation's capital. However, in adherence to Chinese traditions, their remains were later exhumed and transported back to China for reburial, where their families could perform essential ancestral rites. In 2015 and again in 2022, recognizing the importance of preserving this chapter of Chinese American history, the 1882 Foundation collaborated with the Chinese American Citizens Alliance and the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association to establish a memorial site at Range 99 within the Congressional Cemetery.

Despite the absence of physical remains in Range 99 today, the memorial stands as a testament to the Chinese American historical experience in the United States. The site was marked by benches and a plaque in 2015, intended to provide a place for historical remembrance and reflection for both visitors and the descendants of Chinese immigrants. Unfortunately, the original sitting area faced challenges, including a collapsed boundary wall and damaged benches due to weather and exposure. To rejuvenate the memorial, the 1882 Foundation replaced the benches, create a brick patio, plant new trees to restore the natural canopy, and reinstall the commemorative plaque with additional interpretive signage in 2022. This effort aims to ensure that the stories of these early Chinese immigrants are not forgotten, acknowledging their contributions within the broader context of over 200 years of American history represented at the Congressional Cemetery.

PHOTO 1: Bench and plaque memorial originally installed at Range 99 in 2015 prior to deterioration and wall collapse | The 1882 Foundation

PHOTO 2: In April 2022, the 1882 Foundation and supporters gathered to re-dedicate Range 99 with a new plaque and benched area for reflection | Yijo Shen

PHOTO 3: Plaque at Range 99, Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C. installed by the 1882 Foundation in 2022

LEARN MORE:

National Park Service: Congressional Cemetery Government Plot

1882 Foundation: Range 99 (2015)

1882 Foundation: Range 99 (2015-2021)

Congressional Cemetery Walking Tours: Chinese Americans (brochure)

Maryland Today: Uncovering D.C.’s Asian American Past

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