The Gorsebrook Research Institute (GRI) for Atlantic Studies Collection includes 93 items that follow the history of the early Chinese in the Canadian Maritimes. Most of the items in the collection are photos and artifacts, such as old laundry tickets and restaurant menus, which overlap with the donor Albert Lee’s own family history.

The donor of the collection, Albert Lee, a Research Associate of the Gorsebrook Research Institute for Atlantic Canada Studies at Saint Mary’s University, continues a journey he began in 1997 when he presented a show in the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History in Halifax. In launching his current project Albert worked closely with Saint Mary’s History Professor James Morrison, who in 2008 was named a Member of the Order of Canada for his extensive work in oral history, to secure funding. The digitized photos and interviews are in Open Collections, while the physical photographs and interviews are housed at the Gorsebrook Research Institute, Saint Mary's University. Learn more about GRI here.

The project is sponsored by Gorsebrook Research Institute for Atlantic Canada Studies at Saint Mary’s University, Chinese Canadian National Council (Toronto Chapter) and the Community Historical Recognition Program (CHRP).