How about stepping back in time to 1911? You are standing before the Tung Wah Museum. It was once the main building of Kwong Wah Hospital.
The Tung Wah Museum is a monument to tradition and service. It blends Chinese and Western architectural styles. The Tung Wah Museum preserves the legacy of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals.
In 1970 the centenary of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals was celebrated. The main building was transformed. It became the Tung Wah Museum. The aim was to safeguard the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals relics and archives. The museum was declared a monument in 2010.
Inside the Tung Wah Museum you will see the God of Shennong. He is revered as the discoverer of herbal medicine. His statue sits in the hall’s center. Historic plaques and couplets adorn the walls. They whisper stories of the past.
Imagine Governor Sir Frederick Lugard. He officiated the Kwong Wah Hospital opening ceremony in 1911. The left side of the main hall had a conference room and accounts office. The right side held a registration room and western medicine storage.
The Tung Wah Museum stands as a reminder. It reminds us of the evolving face of medicine and charity. It also shows us the enduring spirit of Hong Kong.
The Tung Wah Hospital started providing free Chinese medicine in 1872. This was a cornerstone of their charitable work. In 1911 Kwong Wah Hospital was founded. It served the Chinese community in Kowloon and the New Territories.
In 1922 an anonymous woman donated generously. She gave $50580 for free Chinese medicine at Kwong Wah Hospital. The Board of Directors was moved and raised another $70000.
Typhoons and disasters tested the Tung Wah’s resolve. In 1874 a typhoon struck Hong Kong. The Tung Wah assisted in burying unclaimed victims. This marked their first local disaster relief effort.
Look around this century-old building. It has been preserved to witness the evolution of Kwong Wah Hospital. This space echoes with history. It reminds us of the dedication to community service. The Tung Wah Museum is more than a building. It’s a story etched in brick and mortar. It’s a legacy of compassion.