Seattle, Washington story
A Community's Foundation
The story of the East Kong Yick Building and the pioneers who built it.
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Imagine 170 people, all early Chinese American pioneers, deciding to pool their resources for a single, ambitious goal. In 1910, that collective effort resulted in the East and West Kong Yick Buildings, creating the heart of a new Chinatown. The East Kong Yick Building was designed for versatility, featuring retail on the ground floor with hotel space and apartments above.
For years, it served as the Freeman Hotel, acting as a vital cultural hub and lodging for immigrant communities before World War II. It's now recognized as one of the most significant Asian Pacific American historic sites in the United States. After a reconstruction in 2008, it reopened as the expanded Wing Luke Asian Museum, ensuring those pioneer stories aren't forgotten.
Today, the building and museum stand together as a designated National Heritage Site.
Updated June 2026