Name/Title
Nam Kue School Snare DrumEntry/Object ID
2003.048.00417Description
Nam Kue School Snare Drum. The drum has yellow rims and a black shell. In red, Nam Kue School's name is written in Chinese along the edge of the top head. "X" and "9" are written in pencil on top near border between Kue/Qiao and Xue characters. There is a maker's mark that reads, "Slingerland Quality Drums/Chicago ILL./U.S.A." This snare drum appears to be the Slingerland "Artist" Model, from the late 1920s.Context
"In 1855, Chinese immigrants from the Nam Hoy County in Guangdong Province, China founded the Fook Yum Benevolent Society, a non-profit organization. As more and more Chinese families established and took up roots in San Francisco, Nam Hoy Fook Yum Benevolent Society started the Nam Kue Chinese School in 1919 to ensure the future generations do not forget their ancestral heritage. The school building was erected at the current site in San Francisco Chinatown in 1925. In addition
to the teaching of regular Chinese reading and writing, the after-regular-school and weekend programs offer knowledge in Chinese culture like calligraphy and customs. Nam Kue Chinese School is the earliest and longest surviving school preserving Chinese culture in America." -Tongs Charity Foundation websiteMade/Created
Date made
circa 1928 - circa 1940Material
Metal, Wood, Calf Skin