News & Events

Co-led by Miami University's Department of Media, Journalism, and Film (Dr. Hongmei Li) and the Walter Havighurst Special Collections and University Archives (Alia Levar Wegner), the Documenting Asian American Histories in Ohio project (DAAHO) is an interdisciplinary initiative aimed at documenting, preserving, and digitizing the history, culture, and contributions of Asian and Asian American history in Ohio. It is funded by the National Historical Publications & Records Commission.

Curated by former Miami student Carver Spangle, DAAHO is hosting a pop-up exhibit at Mason Public Library, displaying original historical materials about Asian American students at Miami University in the early 20th century. The exhibit lasts from October 8-27, 2025 and features the Japanese students: Pete Hironaka (1927-2015), Koichi Hasegawa, and Chonosuke Ito, as well as Chinese students Chin-Wu Huang, H. H. Chuang, and C. H. Chuang, in addition to Thai prince Prasobsukh Sukhsvasti (1911-1985) and Thai student Swasdi Nitibhon.

A community event will be held from 10am to 12pm on October 25, 2025 at Mason Public Library to share the Asian stories and histories. The event is open to all. Everyone is welcome.

Funded by National Historical Publications & Records Commission, the DAAHO project aims to document and digitize Asian American histories in Ohio since the 19th century. The interdisciplinary research team consists of scholars, librarians and archivists at Miami University, OSU, University of California Irvine and other places, and aims to systematically collect dispersed materials and turn them into a coherent database that allows students, educators, scholars, and community members to access the rich and diverse histories and contributions of Asians in the nation's heartland. Come to learn more about this significant project and see how you can be part of it.

The Association of Asian Studies Conference offers a unique opportunity to engage with Asian Studies and explore the latest research and ideas in the field. DAAHO project members will present on the current status of the project and future plans in an engaging roundtable discussion. Moderated by Dr. Pranav Jani (The Ohio State University), our roundtable will discuss the project's recent launch, focusing on current engagement and research with community organizations. Dr. Li will discuss the aims and significance of the DAAHO as well as preliminary findings. Co-PI Dr. Yong Chen will discuss research on Asian food culture as an important part of both Asian American community formation and identity expression. Co-PI Alia Levar Wegner and Dr. Ann-Marie Davis will share information about relevant archival collections as well as technical aspects in developing a collaborative digital edition. Community leader and public historian James Tecco will discuss his use of oral history and storytelling with Asian & Pacific Islander communities in the Cincinnati region. Making visible what was previously invisible in American history, our project will offer new insights on Asian border crossings in Ohio while inspiring new models for preserving and promoting marginalized histories of all minority populations.

On July 20, the Asian American History Project: Making the Invisible Visible was officially launched at Mason City Hall in Mason, Ohio. Supported by the National Historical Publications & Records Commission (NHPRC), this initiative seeks to preserve and amplify the underrepresented stories of Asian American communities in Ohio. The event brought together historians, community leaders, educators, and advocates to celebrate this significant milestone. The launch featured presentations that outlined the project’s goals, including documenting oral histories, digitizing historical records, and engaging the public in conversations about the rich and diverse contributions of Asian Americans. Attendees had the opportunity to connect, share personal stories, and discuss ways to collaborate on this important work. The event underscored the collective effort required to ensure these histories are accessible for future generations.