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Explore stories in Northwest history through highlights from MOHAI’s collections. Search by keyword below or browse the entire online collection by entering the asterisk symbol (*). Filter your search by type of materials.

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201 results for: Chinatown International District

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Image of Ron Chew at Wing Luke Museum, April 27, 1993
Photograph

Ron Chew at Wing Luke Museum, April 27, 1993

Ronald A. "Ron" Chew (b. 1953) was born in Settle, the son of Chinese immigrants who worked in the restaurant and garment industries in Seattle’s Chinatown International District (CID). Chew attended Franklin High School and University of Washington (UW), leaving UW in 1975 to pursue community-based journalism. Chew was a reporter for, then editor of, the CID newspaper International Examiner,…
ID Number:2000.107.035.07.02
Date:1993
Image of Delegates attending the Eng Family Convention pose together, Seattle, September 25, 1962
Photograph

Delegates attending the Eng Family Convention pose together, Seattle, September 25, 1962

Here, a group of Chinese American men pose together in a building at 420 Eighth Avenue South in Seattle's Chinatown International District. The men were in town to attend the fourth annual convention of the Eng Family Association, hosted by Lock Tin Eng, president of the Seattle chapter. The convention drew 37 Eng family members from all over the country…
ID Number:2000.107.036.09.02
Date:1962
Image of Group setting up decorations at Chong Wa Benevolent Society Hall, Seattle, April 11, 1964
Photograph

Group setting up decorations at Chong Wa Benevolent Society Hall, Seattle, April 11, 1964

Huge Chinese fans, like the one shown here, were used as decorations for a Chinese opera program held at Chong Wa Benevolent Society Hall to benefit the local Chinese School. Held on April 29, 1964, the program was presented by the Luck Ngi Musical and Opera Society of Seattle (also known as the Chinese Musical Club), and featured one hour…
ID Number:2000.107.036.09.03
Date:1964
Image of Charles Jung and Ben Woo, Seattle, January 1965
Photograph

Charles Jung and Ben Woo, Seattle, January 1965

In 1965 the Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year, began on February 2, bringing in the Year of the Serpent. The Chinese Community Service Organization organized festivities in the Chinatown neghborhood (now the Chinatown-International District), which included a Lion Dance, with a reception afterwards at the Chong Wa Benevolent Assocation Hall, and a display of fireworks to end the…
ID Number:2000.107.036.09.04
Date:1965
Image of Chinese New Year guests at Ruby Chow's, Seattle, January 1966
Photograph

Chinese New Year guests at Ruby Chow's, Seattle, January 1966

The 1966 Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year, began on January 21. To celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Horse, the Chinese Community Service Organization sponsored a ten-course banquet at Ruby Chow's restaurant in Chinatown, attended by more than 200 guests, including Governor Dan Evans and his wife, Nancy. Here, some of the banquet guests gather around…
ID Number:2000.107.036.09.05
Date:1966
Image of Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team at Marysville Strawberry Festival, June 19, 1965
Photograph

Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team at Marysville Strawberry Festival, June 19, 1965

In 1952, Seattle restaurateur, Chinese community pioneer, and civic activist Ruby Chow helped a group of Chinese girls called the Chi-ettes form the Chinese Community Girls Drill Team. Ruby wanted to encourage girls from 11 to 21 to develop social skills and self-esteem and give the girls an opportunity for a supervised activity outside their homes. The drill team became…
ID Number:2000.107.036.10.03
Date:1965
Image of Group at ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Chinatown International District, Seattle, June 15, 1972
Photograph

Group at ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Chinatown International District, Seattle, June 15, 1972

Seattle City Councilman Liem Eng Tuai (1925-2003) and Miss Seattle-Tacoma, Sue May Yee (b. 1949), center, hold the ribbon cut by Lt. Governor John A. Cherberg (1910-1992) during the opening of a parking lot in Seattle's Chinatown International District. They are surrounded by community members celebrating the parking lot, with a traditional Chinese lion in the background, and a man…
ID Number:2000.107.036.10.04
Date:1972
Image of Magno Rudio at the International Drop-In Center, Seattle, 1972
Photograph

Magno Rudio at the International Drop-In Center, Seattle, 1972

Magno Rudio (1908-1995) was born in the Philippines and moved to Seattle in 1929. Like many other Filipino immigrants Rudio worked in canneries in Alaska, where he became a labor organizer. Rudio participated in strikes for higher pay and shorter hours and over a long career he was part of an eventually successful movement to improve working conditions in Alaska…
ID Number:2000.107.036.10.05
Date:1972
Image of Tommy Quan with Chinese New Year dinner tickets, Seattle, January 1970
Photograph

Tommy Quan with Chinese New Year dinner tickets, Seattle, January 1970

In 1970, the Year of the Dog was ushered in with a four-day celebration in Seattle's Chinatown neighborhood (now the Chinatown-International District). The festivities for the Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year, were planned by the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce and included tours of Chinatown and two gala 10-course Chinese dinners. Held at Gum Long's Prestaurant at 516 7th…
ID Number:2000.107.036.10.06
Date:1970
Image of Lion dancers lifting costume on S. King Street, Seattle, January 15, 1989
Photograph

Lion dancers lifting costume on S. King Street, Seattle, January 15, 1989

Chinese American communities often hold a Lion Dance at the time of the lunar new year, or when a new business opens. The noise of the accompanying drums, gongs, cymbals, and fireworks is believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck. This photo shows Sonny Kwan, left, and Kay Chinn lifting their lion costume during a lion dance…
ID Number:2000.107.036.11.01
Date:1989
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