In 1870 a large steam laundry factory on the Passaic River employed a number of Chinese workers. At that time there were very few Chinese in the eastern part of the United States. They lived in dormitories in Belleville and some of them attended the Dutch Reformed Church. In 1876 the Chinese workers staged a New Year's celebration.

A reporter from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper described the event in these words:

"The party of Chinamen who have been settled for several years at Belleville, NJ, had an unusual celebration of their New Year's last week. They have experienced much annoyance at the circulation of reports derogatory to their character..." The reporter discovered, however, that most Belleville citizens found the Chinese to be "most quiet, unassuming and gentlemanly. They have been quite regular attendants at churches
and Sunday schools, and evince great earnestness in pursuit of a knowledge of the English language and of American customs."

The Chinese held their New Year's celebration on Wednesday, January 26. "At two o'clock the welcome march was opened. This was followed at intervals...by Yankee Doodle, Old Hundred, The Girl I Left Behind Me, and several easily recognized Chinese masterpieces. A half hour later a bundle of fire-crackers was ignited...This was the signal for a deafening explosion of bombs and monster crackers, and for several hours the racket was kept up, to the intense delight of the boys, and the evident curiosity of their guests."

The celebration concluded with a meal described as a "collection of fruits, cakes and other delicacies." According to the reporter, "the occasion was one of great gratification to all who participated, and the expressions of good will were mutually relished."

Source: Belleville: 150th-Anniversary Historical Highlights 1839-1989 by Robert B. Burnett and the Belleville 150th-Anniversary Committee Belleville, New Jersey. 1991.