Belleville Historical Society Commemorates 150th Chinese New Year

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Local historians in Belleville have always known that the township had a 19th century Chinese community, making it one of the earliest such communities on the East Coast of the U.S. But according to Michael Perrone, president of the Belleville Historical Society, it wasn’t until six years ago that they were shocked to discover the town was actually the first.

“We always assumed it was New York,” Perrone said.

During the month of February, the society is commemorating the 150th anniversary of the first Chinese New Year celebrated in Belleville in 1871 with a special exhibit at the Belleville Public Library. The exhibit includes a rickshaw and a 35-foot dragon on loan from the Asian-American Dragon Dance Association of Pequannock.

According to Perrone, during the 1870's and 1880's, Belleville became home to the first school for Chinese immigrants and the first Chinese temple. Chinese residents from throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut would all travel to Belleville for festivities and religious events.

• See related article: Early Chinese Immigrants Remembered In Belleville
• See related article: Belleville Remembers Chinese History, Transatlantic Railroad

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