SPOKANE, Wash. – The Spokane Central Library will observe Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month with an exhibit illustrating how Expo ‘74 dispersed a previously vibrant Asian American neighborhood.
Entitled ‘Searching for Trent Alley: Asian American Footprints in Downtown Spokane,’ the exhibit opening May 4 will take attendees through the history of a prominent Asian American community that was disrupted by Expo construction projects.
“Expo ‘74’s beautification efforts gutted the last surviving remnants of Spokane’s Asian community in Trent Alley,” Spokane Public Library said.
The exhibit will highlight the history of racist zoning laws which segregated Spokane neighborhoods.
“Expo Revival honors the space they inhabited and recognizes the decades of contributions from Japanese, Chinese, Filipino and other Asians who came here for work and were integral parts of the community, but whose histories were erased,” Spokane Public Library said.
Programming highlighting AANHPI art will also be available from May 4 through June 2.
Additional information on the history of racism in Spokane can be found below.
