Celebrating Our AAPI Community
At Filoli, we celebrate the diverse community of Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islanders and their stories that shape the tapestry of Filoli's history. Their contributions enrich our heritage through their shared stories, weaving a vibrant narrative that reflects our ever growing visitor landscape.
Haiku Contest
Judged by San Mateo Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto, this year’s theme is migration and belonging. Poems muse on how beings create a sense of home – in gardens and the natural world, as well as in our own lives. Make sure to visit during May to see the 10 semi-finalist poems displayed in the Garden.
Bonsai Demo Day
Saturday, May 18, 2024
10am-4pm
Curious about bonsai care? On Saturday, May 18, Filoli hosts the Kusamura Bonsai Club to demonstrate bonsai pruning and answer all your questions about this ancient artform. Stop by the Dining Room Terrace between 10am - 4pm.
Bonsai Exhibit
May 1-31, 2024
Everything is better in miniature, especially trees! Explore highlights from our bonsai collection, on display all month with object labels translated in English, Japanese, and Traditional Chinese.
Plants for an Auspicious New Year
In this video hosted by Plant Curator John Chau, learn about Filoli’s winter orchid and citrus display and the significance of flowers and fruit for the Lunar New Year.
Happy Lunar New Year from the Chinatown Community Children's Center!
The Chinatown Community Children's Center is one of Filoli's many community partners, with children and their families visiting Filoli's House and Garden several times each year. These exciting and educational visits are made possible by the generosity of our program sponsors.
For Lunar New Year, we stopped by their classroom for a performance of Gong Xi, Gong Xi, a traditional song of celebration during the New Year holiday.
Object Highlight: Art by Betty Ecke
Director of Museum Collections and Curator Kevin Wisney details a serendipitous moment when an auction item was brought to his attention. A beautiful piece of art by famed Chinese/Hawaiian artist Betty Ecke (Tseng Yuho or Zheng Youhe). The art had a very strong provenance – Mr. and Mrs. Roth purchased the art from Betty Ecke and brought it to Filoli.
Asian Art Tour
Enjoy a tour of Filoli's Asian art collection with Interpretation Manager Willa Brock. Just as it was during the time of the families, the home is predominantly filled with 17th and 18th century English and Irish furniture and art. However, the collection does span more than six centuries and over a dozen countries, including many Chinese pieces.
Read Our Blog
The National Trust for Historic Preservation: Stories of Resilience: Three Asian Americans Who Shaped Filoli
Filoli highlights three Asian Americans who helped build the Filoli community and steward the estate: a beloved chef who worked for the Roths, a floriculturist who transformed the garden’s textures, and a famed landscape architect instrumental in preserving Filoli for the public.
Featured in the photo the the left is Chef Kee Low. For more than 40 years the Roths’ Kitchens were skillfully managed by Low. He cooked from memory and skill, rather than recipe books, and had a talent for duplicating dishes from the Roths’ international travels, from tamales to curry chicken.
All About Bonsai
Highlights from Filoli’s collection of more than 50 bonsai will be on display all month in the Garden House and on the Dining Room Terrace. Read our blog to learn more about the history of bonsai and their tie to Filoli.
