Seattle Times: Major Announcement Sunday about New Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Initiative

Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar will unveil a new heritage initiative on Sunday focusing on Asian American Pacific Islanders.  A news conference will be held at the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience in Seattle and will include an announcement about the future of the museum. The Seattle Times reports that Salazar is expected to designate the museum as part of the National Park Service.

The designation will make the Wing eligible for government assistance.

“It is a very big deal for a museum,” said the museum‘s executive director, Beth Takekawa. “It means you have a certain standing of being one of America’s most special places.”

The National Park Service runs dozens of programs related to Asian American history. That includes everything from a Chinese temple dating back to the Gold Rush era in California to the oldest Samoan Village.

A full listing of AAPI National Cultural Resource Programs can be found here.