The Chandler Museum presents “Gaman: Enduring Japanese American Internment at Gila River,” an exhibit on the history of the Gila River Internment Camp, which was located only a few miles from the city.

This exhibit is an updated version of the show of the same name that was on view locally in 2019 and 2020.  The current exhibit will be on display at the museum through Jan. 26, 2026.

During World War II, more than 120,00 Japanese Americans were forcibly removed from their homes, simply because they looked like the enemy. More than 16,000 of them were incarcerated at the Gila River Internment Camp near Chandler.

This exhibit demonstrates how the Japanese value gaman, enduring the seemingly impossible with patience and dignity, guided these American citizens, through loss and incarceration in the Arizona desert. See the photos, hear the stories, read the names of incarcerees and view the community-contributed paper cranes.

A related Saturday, May 3 presentation, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, titled “Baseball Behind Barbed Wire” will be conducted by Bill Staples, Jr.

Chandler Museum has also partnered with the Japanese American Citizens League – Arizona Chapter to run an essay contest. The contest is open to all students in the fourth through the 12th grades who have visited Gaman or are members of JACL-AZ. The contest runs through April 30. More information can be found at JACL-AZ Essay Challenge. 

“Gaman: Enduring Japanese American Internment at Gila River” is open now and will be on view through

The Chandler Museum is located at 300 S. Chandler Village Drive. It is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Mondays. Admission is free.

Find more information on the exhibitions and programming online at Chandler Museum or call 480-782-2717.

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