In these postcards of early 20th-century Newport, signs for Chinese-owned businesses can be seen in the periphery – captured on film by chance, relegated to the margins just as the Chinese community once was. Now such glimpses into a little-known past are a central feature of the exhibition “The Celestial City: Newport and China” at Rosecliff, on view through February 11. Because the signs in these postcards simply say “Chinese Restaurant” and “Chop Suey,” some detective work was needed to identify these long-gone businesses. The exhibition’s curator, Dr. Nicole Williams, and other members of our Museum Affairs staff used city directories and other sources to identify them as Shanghai Low Chinese Restaurant, 158½ Thames Street, circa 1909; and Bun Jun Low Restaurant or Moy Fou Restaurant, both of which operated at 195 Thames Street, circa 1913. On Thursday evening, join Dr. Williams and her collaborator, Dr. Bing Huang of Providence College, to learn more about the “Celestial City...