Through its exhibits, public events, and youth programs, The Wing Luke Museum aims to:
Empower Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) to tell their stories and histories in their own voices
Foster the work of contemporary AANHPI artists
Support and revitalize Seattle’s Chinatown-International District through its events and tours
Strengthen the AANHPI community through leadership development and opportunities
Serve as a primary Smithsonian affiliate in the Pacific Northwest, a National Park Service Affiliated Area, and as the nation’s only museum dedicated to the pan-AANHPI community
Thanks to Wing Luke Museum for its partnership as we honor 100 years of Garfield High School!
The museum is named after Wing Luke, the first person of color elected to the Seattle City Council, in 1962. Luke was also the first Asian American elected to public office in the Pacific Northwest. In 1963, he played a key role advocating for the City Council passage of the Open Housing Ordinance. Although the City wouldn't pass the ordinance until 1968, his early work helped lead to the creation of the Seattle Human Rights Commission. |  |
The museum is situated in the historic East Kong Yick Building on South King Street. The building was built in 1910 by Chinese pioneers who pooled money to fund the construction. The building served as the cultural hub and living quarters for hundreds of Chinese, Japanese and Filipino immigrants who came to the US in the pre-World War II era. (Photo by Otto Greule.)
Thanks to Cassie Chinn, Deputy Executive Director of Wing Luke Museum. Chinn is a fourth generation Seattle resident. Chinn initially interned at the museum as a college student, not knowing one day she'd continue on to make this her lifetime's work.
