- This event has passed.
Contested Histories: Preserving and Sharing a Community Collection – A JANM Traveling Exhibit
Contested Histories: Preserving and Sharing a Community Collection
A JANM Traveling Exhibit
@ Military Intelligence Service Historic Learning Center
Presidio of San Francisco
September 19, 2025 – January 10th, 2026
Fri, Sat, Sun: Noon – 5PM
$15 general admission, FREE to members
MIS Historic Learning Center
640 Mason St, Bldg. 640
Crissy Field, Presidio of San Francisco CA 94129
About this Exhibition
During World War II, Japanese Americans incarcerated in America's concentration camps demonstrated their resilience, ingenuity, and creativity, from crafting necessities like furniture and tools to creating works of art.
In 2015, thanks to the efforts of community organizations, leaders, and activists like the Japanese American History: Not For Sale Facebook page, the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation, and actor George Takei, JANM was entrusted with the safekeeping of the Eaton Collection, an important collection of some 400 items made by Japanese American incarcerees.
Community Engagement
People around the United States have since helped JANM fill in the gaps in the historical record by identifying makers and telling the stories of artifacts from the collection as it toured the country.
Now the exhibition, enhanced with these new findings, compiled by JANM and on tour at the National Japanese American Historical Society's MIS Historic Learning Center, where many of the recently restored artworks are on view for the first time.
Explore the collection that sparked national protest, decisive action, and multigenerational conversations within and beyond the Japanese American community.
Estelle Ishigo, Title unknown, Oil on canvas, Japanese American National Museum, Allen Hendershott Eaton Collection (2015.100.16)
Featured Artwork from the Collection
The Eaton Collection showcases approximately 400 items crafted by Japanese Americans during their incarceration in World War II concentration camps. These objects—ranging from functional furniture to expressive artwork—demonstrate remarkable resilience, creativity, and the determination to maintain dignity and cultural identity under the most challenging circumstances.
Barrack Nameplate
Belonging to N. Hirooka and H. Fukayama
Japanese American National Museum
Allen Hendershott Eaton Collection (2015.100.71)
Estelle Ishigo
Title unknown, 1943
Oil on canvas
Japanese American National Museum
Allen Hendershott Eaton Collection (2015.100.15)
Estelle Ishigo
Title unknown
Oil on canvas
Japanese American National Museum
Allen Hendershott Eaton Collection (2015.100.16)
Chair
Constructed by Yorozu Homma while incarcerated at Heart Mountain concentration camp in Wyoming during World War II
Japanese American National Museum
Allen Hendershott Eaton Collection (2015.100.57)
Sumi-e Painting
Artist unknown
Ink on paper
Japanese American National Museum
Allen Hendershott Eaton Collection (2015.100.40)
Calligraphy on Scroll
Artist unknown
Ink on paper
Japanese American National Museum
Allen Hendershott Eaton Collection (2015.100.46)