LAHM Spirit of '76 Talk: American Patchwork

The Spirit of '76 is an exhibit at the Los Altos History Museum (LAHM) in honor of America's 250th and is on display from June 18, 2026 through November 08, 2026. Tied to the exhibit will be a talk by CHCP Advisory Board Member/Historian Connie Young Yu about the making of the People's Bicentennial Quilt on July 15.

Historian Connie Young Yu will discuss how a group of women observed the bicentennial by creating a quilt featuring 45 patches representing milestone events in American History. Led by quilt maker Genny Guracar, the project’s purpose was to portray ordinary people as making history: the nameless, countless individuals whose movements and struggles shaped the soul and character of America. Yu will also speak about the book she wrote on this project, Patchwork History: The People's Bicentennial Quilt, and reflect on how the quilt holds up for America’s 250^th.

About the Speaker

Connie Young Yu, an independent historian and activist, is a fourth-generation Californian who has lived in Los Altos Hills since 1970. She served on the citizens committee (AIISHAC) that helped preserve the immigration barracks on Angel Island. Among her many writings, Connie is the author of Chinatown, San Jose, USA and Patchwork History, co-author of Hakone Estate and Gardens, and co-editor of Voices from the Railroad: Stories by Descendants of Chinese Railroad Workers. In 2025 she received an Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) for preserving the history of Chinese in California. Yu is a trustee of Hakone Foundation, serves on the advisory board of the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP) and is board member emeritus of the Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA).

Admission: $15/person, Free for LAHM members

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