218 results for: International District
Correspondence
Wa Chong Company letter, April 20, 1909
On December 15, 1868, the man believed to be Seattle's first Chinese immigrant, Chun Ching Hock (1844-1927) opened the Wa Chong Company at the foot of Mill Street (now Yesler Way). The store sold imported Chinese goods, tea, rice, coffee, flour, and fireworks, but the company's most profitable business was labor contracting - recruiting and placing Chinese immigrants in domestic…
ID Number:2018.3.3.91
Date:1909
Videorecording
Oral history interview with Norm Rice, October 24 and October 31, 2002
Interview with Norm Rice conducted by Gary Saaris on October 24 and 31, 2002, for the Speaking of Seattle Oral History Project. The 49th mayor of Seattle, Rice was Seattle's first Black mayor, serving two terms from 1990 to 1997. Before entering city government, he worked as a reporter at KOMO-TV and KIXI radio and as the Assistant Director of…
ID Number:2019.35.1.55
Date:2002
Poster
Chinatown - International District resiliency poster, 2020
Mulitmedia artist Moynee Chau grew up in the Chinatown - International District of Seattle. Early on in the Covid-19 pandemic, Chau became aware of xenophobic and racist stickers posted in the neighborhood by a white nationalist hate group. In response to this anti-Asian backlash, Chau created this poster to support the community and honor its history of resilience. In a…
ID Number:2020.33.1
Date:2020
Menu
King Fur Cafe menu, circa 1945
In the 1930s, several Chinese nightspots opened in Seattle's Chinatown neighborhood (now the Chinatown - International District), catering to both Asian and non-Asian customers. Among them was the King Fur Cafe at 709 1/2 King Street, run by long-time manager Fred Eng until around the 1960s. King Fur's menu offered both Chinese and American dishes, in addition to music and…
ID Number:2021.15.9
Date:Circa 1945
Menu
Louie's Chinese Garden menu, 1943
Charles Louie opened Louie’s Chinese Garden on South Main Street in Seattle’s Chinatown (now the Chinatown - International District) sometime in the 1930s. In the 1940s, the restaurant served both American and Chinese food, and was also a nightclub, offering dancing with a regular orchestra. During World War II, patrons could buy War Stamps at the cashier’s counter. Louie’s sons…
ID Number:2021.15.10
Date:1943
Menu
New Chinatown restaurant menu, 1943
Daniel Woo opened his New Chinatown restaurant and supper club in the early 1940s. Located on 6th Avenue South and Main Street in Seattle’s Chinatown (now the Chinatown - International District), it offered both dining and dancing. A January 1944 newspaper ad promotes the New Chinatown as a great place for an evening of fun. It opened at 6:00 pm…
ID Number:2021.15.11
Date:1943
Ephemera
"Move Forward on 4th" leaflet, circa 2024
This leaflet supports the construction of a new Chinatown ID (International District) Link light rail station, where all three lines would connect. It opposes Sound Transit plans to cancel the CID station in favor of building stations north and south of the CID instead. The leaflet's back side lists reasons to support the CID station, including better connections to other…
ID Number:2025.10.4
Date:Circa 2024
Ephemera
Chong Wa Education Society fundraising dinner flier, Seattle, 2017
The Chong Wa Benevolent Association was founded in the late 1890s by Seattle’s Chinese community to create a federation of its diverse group of Chinese family and district associations, societies, and businesses. Its purpose was to administer Chinatown politics and support Chinese causes in the non-Chinese community. Over the years, the Association has provided its members with a broad spectrum…
ID Number:2025.10.6
Date:2017
Ephemera
Chong Wa Benevolent Association and Education Society brochure, Seattle, circa 2015
The Chong Wa Benevolent Association was founded in the late 1890s by Seattle’s Chinese community to promote social and cultural welfare and support Chinese causes in the greater community. This brochure gives a history of the Association and describes its wide variety of programs and activities. These have included financial and legal assistance, language and citizenship classes, performing arts, and…
ID Number:2025.10.10
Date:Circa 2015
Ephemera
Poster for Luck Ngi Music Society's benefit for the Chong Wa Benevolent Association, printed in Chinese, October 1975
Founded in 1938, Seattle’s Luck Ngi Music Society specialized in Chinese opera. Located at 512 Seventh Avenue South, they often practiced and performed at nearby Chong Wa Hall. In 1975, as advertised on this flier, the group performed the Chinese opera “Bloodbath” as a benefit for the Chong Wa Benevolent Association. Edward Shui “Ping” Chow (photo third from the right)…
ID Number:2025.10.17
Date:1975