Intern Update: Introducing Thomas Russo
My name is Thomas Russo and I am a visiting intern from the University of California at Riverside. As part of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program this fall, I am assisting with special events and media programming. Much of my work, however, is done at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, where I am conducting research into Asian American (APA) entrepreneurs and businesses for an upcoming exhibit on American Enterprise. I am also assisting with the collection and analysis of APA related objects and artifacts. These include baking molds from the Benkyodo Candy Factory in San Francisco and production paraphernalia from the Hong Kong Noodle Factory in Los Angeles, among other items.
I have been studying history in California, with a particular focus on United States history. The history of our nation is complex: both violent and beautiful at the same time. I am genuinely excited to be working in Washington, DC this fall – a city with so much history itself – and contribute to the understanding and recognition of how Asian Americans, both past and present, have shaped these United States.
I am honored to be given the opportunity to work at both the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program and the National Museum of American History. I know my time here will be of great value to both the institution and myself.
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