A Glimpse into the Lives of Filipino Migrants
Newly discovered steamer trunks from the early 1900s have provided a rare and insightful look into the lives of Filipino migrants in America. These trunks are now on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the history of Filipino Americans through the personal belongings of those who once labored across the country.
The trunks carried the lives of Filipino migrants as they moved from field to field, working tirelessly to build a better future. After their owners passed away, the trunks were left forgotten for decades, hidden away in a secret room at a fraternal lodge in Stockton, California. It was only recently that curators opened them, uncovering what they describe as preserved mini time capsules of Filipino American history.
Dr. Sam Vong, a curator at the museum, described the discovery as "amazing." He explained that each trunk belonged to a Filipino farm worker, and he initially expected to find items like dirty clothes filled with dirt. Instead, the curators found carefully preserved belongings dating back to the 1910s, including three-piece suits, a Stetson hat, and hundreds of handwritten letters.
These items reveal how the workers wanted to present themselves in American society despite harsh working conditions and discrimination. Dr. Vong noted that while the workers were often covered in dust and toiling in the sun during the day, they would dress up on their days off, trying to emulate the movie stars they saw on screen.
Many of the workers saved up their meager wages to afford pieces of formal clothing and to send money to loved ones back home. This effort reflected their desire to maintain dignity and respect in a society that often viewed them as faceless, disposable labor.
The exhibit also highlights the personal stories behind the trunks, including one belonging to Anastacio Omandam. Inside was an embroidered pillowcase featuring the museum exhibit’s namesake: “How Can You Forget Me.” Dr. Vong explained that this likely represented a family member from the Philippines sending the pillowcase to the men so they wouldn’t forget them.
The exhibit pays tribute to Filipino civil rights leader Larry Itliong, who organized Filipino farmworkers to strike for better wages and conditions. Dr. Vong emphasized the importance of Itliong's work, noting how he encouraged unity between Filipino and Mexican American labor organizers to make bigger gains in the farm workers movement.
Letters discovered inside the trunks also revealed the deep longing for loved ones an ocean away. One postcard contained a poem that read, “roses may fade, flowers may die. Other relatives may forget you, but never will I.”
Dr. Yao Feng-You, with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, said the exhibit honors people whose stories are often overlooked. She noted that these individuals were laborers who are not necessarily memorialized, yet their contributions to building California’s agricultural industry are significant.
Curators said the exhibit serves as a testament to the migrants’ pursuit of the American dream and their labor to forge their place in American history. It is about families, communities, and members who have long been forgotten, but whose lives and memories are being recovered for generations to come.
The exhibit will remain on display to the public through 2027.
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