The Wing Luke Asian Museum in Seattle was created to preserve the history of Asian-Pacific Americans and show it to the whole world. Here you can get acquainted with the culture and art of Asian immigrants, find out how they lived after moving to the United States.
History of creation
The attraction opened in 1967, originally it was the Wing Luke Memorial Museum. He was the first Asian American to become a member of the city council. He was called a fighter for justice, who defended the rights of ordinary citizens and advocated for the preservation of historic neighborhoods, including Pike Place Market. The Asian region was developing rapidly, and the official proposed to create a museum so that descendants would remember the history of their ancestors and could pass it on from generation to generation.
Luke did not live to see the institution open, and after his death in a plane crash in 1965, people began donating money to make his idea come true. The Wing Luke Asian Museum has been set up in a small store on Eighth Avenue. At first, the museum specialized in Asian folk art, and then it was decided to expand the program. In 1987, the exhibits were moved to a larger room on Seventh Avenue. That's when it became known as the Wing Luke Asian Museum. The next move of the Wing Luke Asian Museum was organized in 2008 to the East Kong Yik building in the Chinatown International District.
Short description
The Wing Luke Asian Museum's collection consists of 18,000 exhibits representing 26 ethnic groups. These are artifacts, books, documents, photographs, videos, and art objects. In addition, the museum staff conducts research, including collecting oral narratives reflecting the history, way of life and culture of Asian Americans. In 1955, the Wing Luke Asian Museum was awarded the National Award for organizing exhibitions.
Sometimes specialized exhibitions dedicated to Asian-Pacific cuisine and New Year traditions of Asian peoples are held here. The exhibition dedicated to actor and director Bruce Lee, popularizer of Chinese martial arts, won the 2015 Exhibit Award. In the museum, you can learn about the roots of a celebrity and key moments in his biography, which influenced his fate. The museum also features portraits, paintings and other works by talented artists and themed films.
How to get
The Wing Luke Asian Museum welcomes visitors to Seattle's Chinatown. If you take buses 7, 14, 36 and 106, you need to get off at the Jackson Street & 8 Ave S. stop. You can take a tram that passes near the landmark, or call a taxi. There are several paid parking lots near the museum where you can park your personal or rented car.
The Wing Luke Asian Museum has a day off on Mondays, and the opening hours are from 10:00 to 17:00 from Wednesday to Sunday. On the first Tuesday, every third Saturday of the month, the institution closes at 8 p.m. Before the visit, it is necessary to clarify the schedule, as it may change. Admission is free for up to 5 years old, and children, students, and the elderly over the age of 62 receive a discount when purchasing a ticket.
Gallery
