One of the best ways to learn about and appreciate the history of Asian people in the United States is to visit the many historical sites and museums that record and celebrate that heritage.

While the list below is a good starting point, it's just a small sampling of the many sites around the country that can help you better understand and appreciate the contributions Asian-Americans have made to the development of the United States.

Manzanar War Relocation Center - In 1942, almost 120,000 Japanese Americans and resident Japanese aliens living on the West Coast were forced to move from their homes to 10 relocation camps located throughout the United States. It was the largest forced relocation in U.S. history. The Manzanar camp, located in eastern California's Owens Valley, is the best preserved of the 10 camps.

Mendocino Joss House - Settlers often built small temples, or "Joss Houses" in the Chinese communities that sprung up throughout California in the mid-nineteenth century. Oral history dates construction of this Taoist Kwan Tai Temple in Mendocino, about 150 miles north of San Francisco, at about 1854, making it the oldest original temple in California.

Seattle's International District - - Seattle's international district was settled in the late 1800's. Chinese immigrants were the dominate ethnic group until immigration quotas designed to limit and even prohibit Chinese immigration to the United States Took effect. Soon, Japanese immigrants, who weren't subject to the same immigration limitations, became Seattle's largest immigrant population. Today, the district is a rich blend of Chinese, Koreans, Filipinos, Vietnamese, and Laotians. It boasts a large number of restaurants, specialty shops and the Wing Luke Asian Museum.

Angel Island Immigration Station - The "Ellis Island of the West" was the site where about 1 million Asian immigrants from 1910 to 1940. The San Francisco Bay island was also used as a prisoner of war camp for Japanese and German prisoners during World War II.

Kam Wah Chung Museum - Dr. Ing Hay cared for the Chinese gold-mine workers, pioneers, and others in the mid 1800's and beyond by using tradiitonal Chinese remedies. It is located in eastern Oregon.

Mai Wah Society - This Butte, Mont., Organization preserves as a historical landmark the building that once housed the Wah Chong Tai Co. store and the Mai Wah Noodle Parlor.

Asian American Museums - Los Angeles is home to the Japanese American History Museum, the Chinese American History Museum and the Korean American History Museum.

Bishop Museum - Honolulu's Bishop museum houses artifacts and royal Kamehameha family heirlooms. It also includes millions of artifacts, documents and photographs about Hawaii and other Pacific island cultures.

Museum Of Chinese In The Americas- The Museum of Chinese in the Americas in New York is dedicated to reclaiming, preserving, and interpreting the history and culture of Chinese and their descendants in the Western Hemisphere.