Seattle, Washington story
A Cultural Hub
In 1910, 170 Chinese American pioneers did something remarkable: they pooled their resources to build a center for their community. The result was the East and West Kong Yick Buil…
Read the story
In 1910, 170 Chinese American pioneers did something remarkable: they pooled their resources to build a center for their community. The result was the East and West Kong Yick Buildings, designed as the heart of a new Chinatown. The East Kong Yick Building wasn't just a piece of real estate; it was a four-story orientation point for immigrants, featuring retail on the ground floor and hotel space above.
Known as the Freeman Hotel, it served as a vital cultural hub and lodging before World War II. Today, it's the home of the Wing Luke Asian Museum, continuing its legacy as a place where history is preserved and new arrivals can find their place in the city's story.
Updated June 2026