The Chinese Musical and Theatrical Association (CMTA) Acquisition, 1989

In 1989, MOCA acquired the Chinese Musical and Theatrical Association (CMTA) collection. The materials included costumes, musical scores, instruments, and documents that were discarded when the opera club moved to a smaller location; they were housed in eight large trunks. Anonymous sources told MOCA staff that materials had been left behind, and the museum organized a spur-of-the-moment excursion to rescue materials that included staff, board members, and volunteers.

MOCA went on to use the materials in their 1991 exhibition Red Boat on the Canal. The show explored the history of Cantonese opera in New York City. The costumes have been borrowed and displayed by Macy’s for their Lunar New Year celebrations at their Herald Square location.

1989年,美国华人博物馆获得了一批中国音乐剧社的文物,包括戏服、乐谱、乐器与文件。这些文物由于该社迁至更小的地址而被放弃,它们被安置于八个大箱子里。匿名人士对博物馆员工透露,这些文物被弃置。为了拯救这批文物,博物馆立刻组织员工、董事会成员、和志愿者奔赴现场。

美国华人博物馆于1991年的展览”坚尼路上行红船”中使用了这些物件,该展探索了粤剧在纽约市的历史。这些戏服也曾被梅西百货借用,在他们先驱广场的分店展示,庆祝农历新年。