Seattle, Washington story
A Collective Dream
Imagine a community so determined to carve out a home that they pooled every cent they had. In 1910, 170 Chinese American pioneers did exactly that, combining their resources to b…
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Imagine a community so determined to carve out a home that they pooled every cent they had. In 1910, 170 Chinese American pioneers did exactly that, combining their resources to build the East and West Kong Yick Buildings. It wasn't just a real estate venture; it was the heart of a new Chinatown.
The East Kong Yick Building served as a cultural hub, offering retail on the ground floor and hotel space above, known as the Freeman Hotel. For immigrant communities before World War II, this was a sanctuary for lodging and social connection. Today, that spirit of preservation continues.
In May 2008, the building reopened as the expanded Wing Luke Asian Museum, ensuring the stories of those early pioneers are never forgotten. It stands now as a National Heritage Site and one of the most significant Asian Pacific American historic sites in the entire country.
Updated June 2026