GRASS VALLEY, Calif. – Mount Saint Mary’s Convent and Academy is one of the most historically significant landmarks in our community; it is the oldest convent remaining west of the Rocky Mountains. Whether you know it as St. Joseph’s or by its present-day title, the Grass Valley Museum and Cultural Center, this structure has held significant local history since 1865. Having served as both a convent and an orphanage, the building now dedicates much of its second floor to the stories of women and children who shaped our community. Today, the museum expands this narrative with a new exhibit. We are proud to honor our local Chinese families, past and present, through a collection that celebrates the women and children who helped build Grass Valley.
Through a collaborative partnership, the Nevada County Historical Society has loaned donated family treasures to the Grass Valley Museum through December 2026. A large portion of this exhibit was made possible by the generosity of Janet Yun, a descendant of Alice and Edward Tinloy. For decades, the Tinloy family owned The Unique, a ladies’ ready-to-wear store on Mill Street.
We recognize these families not just as residents, but as foundational pillars of our community. Through this collection, the museum offers a look into the lives of the Tinloy and Yun families, among others, whose contributions continue to shape our community.
Brightly colored lanterns and umbrellas hang overhead to welcome visitors to the museum. You will also be greeted by a playful large green dragon head from the Community Asian Theater of the Sierras (CATS) prop room. Our collaboration with CATS is linked to the production, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. The props serve as a bridge between the play’s director, Allison Chan (daughter of Lisa Moon and Jerry Chan), and her own deep-rooted family history.
The collection paints a picture of the Chinese-American experience in Nevada County. You will find everyday items such as a rotary telephone, a food scale, and schoolbooks alongside a coal iron used to press silk robes. Additionally, embroidered panels of Daoist Immortals from the late Quig dynasty, and exquisite wedding gifts of Cloisonné vases given to the Tinloys as a wedding gift as well as hand-sewn silk clothing, brighten the display with unique details. To deepen the connection, visitors can use QR codes to access audio excerpts of personal memories, offering a rare opportunity to hear family members speak directly about the items on display.
A central highlight of the exhibit is an autobiography created in 1936 by Alice Tinloy when she was just fourteen years old. Shared by her daughter, Sue Yun Sakahara, this recreated journal is available for visitors to read at their leisure. Alice’s profound perspectives on war, travel, education and family are both touching and eternally relevant. Her childhood dream of becoming a pianist eventually came to fruition. A commissioned portrait, in a striking gold-leaf frame, depicts Alice at the young age of 15 in her traditional performance dress.
Alice’s last journal entry is titled “A Great Musician”. Excerpts from this page are written in a beautiful cursive script:
I am playing the piano in the Grass Valley High School orchestra this year. I think this has helped me to learn what my career was to be. It is loads of fun to accompany an orchestra, and besides getting pleasure out of it, I have also learned many different definitions of music terms and my time has improved a lot.
We invite you to visit the Grass Valley Museum and Cultural Center to experience this exhibit for yourself. The Museum is open Wednesday-Saturday 12:30 – 3:30 pm. Admission is free, though donations are gratefully accepted. The Grass Valley Museum is located at 410 South Church Street in Grass Valley, CA. See the website for additional upcoming events: https://www.grassvalleymuseum.org/
We would also love for you to join us for a special celebration on Saturday, May 23rd from 12:30–3:30 PM. Visitors are invited to relax in the garden, enjoy lemonade and cookies, bring a picnic lunch, and share in the stories that make our community a beautiful reflection of who we were, and who we are today.