Founded in 1971, with trust established by the Balch family of Philadelphia, The Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies recently celebrated its twentieth anniversary. In an effort to promote greater intergroup understanding, the museum, library, and education departments have been successfully collecting, preserving and interpreting materials reflecting America's ethnic diversity for two decades. This catalog and two others, one representing the library's manuscript, photograph and microfilm holdings; the other, the education's department's program and curriculum offerings, are a product of these efforts.
The Institute is unique in its focus on all ethnic groups in America. The museum's collections include items brought here by immigrants and refugees, as well as items made, used, or adapted by those who came here in response to new needs and conditions and the availability of new materials. One of the most poignant examples of this is a shirt autographed in Japanese calligraphy as a farewell gift to Ryusuke Tazumi by fellow Japanese American leaders detained at a Santa Fe Assembly camp during World War II. Tazumi was leaving to join his family at Poston Relocation Center. Signing an article of clothing is a traditional Japanese expression of farewell.
Many of the artifacts included in this publication represent the personal and private side of life. One item reflects its owner's efforts to preserve her traditional cuisine by importing a special utensil; another, a prayer garment, reflects adherence to the requirements of the owner's religious practice. These continuities, as well as the accommodations people have made in order to adjust to life here, are a prime focus of our interests.
The museum and library collections often support and reinforce each other. When collections are donated to the Institute, they are preserved in their entirety, and placed within the appropriate department for safekeeping. The museum collects three dimensional materials and works of art; the library holdings consist of published works, manuscripts, microfilms and audiovisual materials. In many cases library photos from a specific collection help to document and interpret traditional clothing, household items or other materials from a corresponding museum collection.
Most of the process of publishing this catalog was accomplished under the tenure of my predecessor, M. Mark Stolarik. He served as President from 1978 through 1991, ably guiding the Institute through a critical period of development and growth. I am pleased to have inherited his office and to build on the achievements of the past but look forward to future challenges and opportunities. We hope that this series of publications will gain wider exposure for the collections among scholars, researchers, curators, students and visitors from all areas of the world.
John Tenhula
President and
Chief Executive Officer
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© 1996 The Balch Institute For Ethnic Studies
This Internet publication has been supported by grants from
The Equitable Foundation and the William Penn Foundation.
The on-line Balch Catalog developed by PHAT!, Inc.