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AAPI Washtenaw Oral History Project - Cynthia Yao

Photo of a Chinese American woman with gray hair and glassesCynthia Yao was born in Kingston, Jamaica, where her parents settled after immigrating from China. In 1959, she moved to Boston to attend Emmanuel College. She met Edward York-Peng Yao who was at Harvard finishing his PhD in Physics. They married and came to Ann Arbor where they raised four children: Michelle, Mark, Steven and Lisa. She received a Master of Museum Practice from the University of Michigan in 1979. She was inspired by science centers and children's museums that she visited with her children. Yao proposed to the city a museum in the former firehouse building and worked with many community members to create the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum which opened on October 13, 1982. She served as Executive Director for 18 years. 

Note: Cynthia and Ed’s eldest daughter Michelle passed away in 2022, after the recording of this interview. All four of their children have successful careers–three became doctors, and one became an engineer.

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Carpenters Henry Bradley and Bob Cousino Assist With Renovation of Fire Hall Into Museum, December 1981 Photographer: Jack Stubbs

Carpenters Henry Bradley and Bob Cousino Assist With Renovation of Fire Hall Into Museum, December 1981 image
Year:
1981
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, December 20, 1981
Caption:
Carpenters Henry Bradley and Bob Cousino mark board for cutting at left in what will be an exhibit hall of the Hands-On Museum, on the top floor of the old firehouse. This was the former "dormitory" area and kitchen. The old dropped ceiling has been removed to add spaciousness to the hall.
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Carpenters Haul Materials Into Future Hands-On Museum, December 1981 Photographer: Jack Stubbs

Carpenters Haul Materials Into Future Hands-On Museum, December 1981 image
Year:
1981
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, December 20, 1981
Caption:
At left Bradley and Cousino haul a piece of plywood up through the new elevator shaft; at right architects Bob Overhiser and Sue Monroe, who oversees the project, examine the footings for the elevator; above them can be seen the new partitions for museum offices.
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Ann Arbor Chamber Orchestra Plans Benefit Concert For Hands-On Museum, December 1980 Photographer: Robert Chase

Ann Arbor Chamber Orchestra Plans Benefit Concert For Hands-On Museum, December 1980 image
Year:
1980
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, December 6, 1980
Caption:
Concert Planning: Perry Mixter, business manager of the Ann Arbor Chamber Orchestra, Elise Weisbach, Agnes Reading and Marguerite Oliver met in front of the old fire house recently to launch preparations for a benefit concert for the "Hands On Children's Museum." The symphony group is to perform in the former firehouse on Dec. 13.
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Architects Bob Overhiser and Sue Monroe Examine Progress of Hands-On Museum Renovation, December 1981 Photographer: Jack Stubbs

Architects Bob Overhiser and Sue Monroe Examine Progress of Hands-On Museum Renovation, December 1981 image
Year:
1981
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, December 20, 1981
Caption:
At left Bradley and Cousino haul a piece of plywood up through the new elevator shaft; at right architects Bob Overhiser and Sue Monroe, who oversees the project, examine the footings for the elevator; above them can be seen the new partitions for museum offices.
Copyright
Copyright Protected
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