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 of programs ranging from help with housing and employment to a language school and cultural activities.

This flier advertises a benefit for the Chong Wa Education Society, the Association’s language and cultural school, which is the oldest in Washington state. The Chong Wa building shown here opened in 1929 and is located on Seventh Avenue South in Seattle’s Chinatown - International District.

Caption information Source: “Chong Wa Benevolent Association,” https://chongwa.org, retrieved November 7, 2025.