"Topaz Stories: What Is An American?" is an exhibit of stories and artifacts from the WWII incarceration of Japanese Americans curated by the Topaz Stories project, on display at the Central Library from Thursday, February 4 - Saturday, March 27, 2027.
This event will take place on the 5th Floor from 1-3pm. Opening Reception from 1-2pm and Panel Conversation with survivors and descendants of Topaz from 2-3pm. There will be light refreshments.
Topaz Stories: What Is An American?
The “What is an American?” exhibit shares stories of survivors and descendants of Topaz, Utah—one of many WWII detention camps for Japanese Americans. Most of those who were incarcerated in Topaz were from the SF Bay Area, including Berkeley’s entire Japanese American community. Overall, over 120,000 people were forcibly removed from their homes in 1942—two-thirds U.S. citizens, many, children—and spent 3.5 years or more behind barbed wire with no due process. Their crime? Their ancestry or country of origin.
In addition to stories and quotes illustrated with personal photos, a number of artifacts from Topaz will be on display. The exhibit will be on the 5th floor.
About Topaz Stories
The Topaz Stories project, a volunteer effort of Friends of the Topaz Museum, has a website with over one hundred stories from Topaz survivors and descendants. The website is used by many classrooms in Utah to teach the history that many are often unaware happened in their own state. Since 2018, five public exhibits and numerous programs and events have been held around California and in Utah. Website: topazstories.com Instagram: @topazstories
