Kam Wah Chung circa 1909.
About Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site
Originally built circa 1866 as a trading post, the building housed the Kam Wah Chung Company as early as 1878. The business served both the Chinese and American populations in John Day, and includes a meeting room, general store, medical diagnosis room, herb room, two bedrooms, and a kitchen/bunk room for Chinese migrant workers. This building also served as a religious and community center for the area's Chinese population.
The property was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2005. We continue learn more about John Day Chinatown via continuous research on artifacts, documents, and additional archaeological sites. The original building is open seasonally as a museum to visitors. Guests can learn about Chinese immigrants and their contributions throughout the Pacific Northwest in an interpretive center located two blocks from the museum.
Project
Interpretive Center and Collections Building
The project includes building a new, larger facility for the interpretive center and collections near the museum, owned by Oregon State Parks. With a new facility, we can better interpret the historic museum and provide environmentally controlled space to protect and preserve the historic collection.
Why do we need the project?
- Kam Wah Chung is an international destination for about 10,000 visitors a year. The new facility will accommodate larger groups in the interpretive area and create a better visitor experience for sharing the museum story and early Chinese history in the John Day area.
- The current interpretive center and collections building are located two blocks from the historic museum and consists of two leased buildings.
- Without the project, we would need to relocate the interpretive center and the collections to other leased buildings.
What is the project?
The new 10,000 square foot building will be constructed to the north of the historic building on property acquired recently from the City of John Day. It will be a high-efficient, climate-controlled building with solar panels.
The new building is anticipated to include:
- Expanded interpretive areas.
- Classroom which may double as a theater.
- Restrooms and a gift shop.
- Collection processing, restoration, and storage.
- Support staff office spaces.
The expanded site will continue to serve as a community park for both visitors and locals.
Planned site improvements include:
- Additional walking paths to connect the park.
- A medicinal herb garden.
- A traditional Chinese vegetable garden.
- Additional shaded picnic areas.
- Improved car and bus parking.
Short-term visitor impact
Minimal impact.
Milestones Reached
- 2022: Acquired adjacent Gleason Pool property from City of John Day.
- 2023: Architecture/Engineering contract awarded to Cole Architecture.
- 2024: Interpretive Planner contract awarded to Historical Research Associates.
- 2024: Work underway with various partner groups.
Next steps
- Cole Architects will begin schematic design in January 2024.
- The project team looks forward to including the input of entities such as the Oregon Chinese Diaspora Project and other partners.
Tentative construction timeline
- Fall 2024: Groundbreaking
- December 2025: Building complete
- Spring 2026: Grand Opening Conceptual Site Plan
Concept Options
Draft Site Concept
News
Members of the Kam Wah Chung GO Bond project team.
L to R: Christy Sweet, Brad Cates, Steve Jenevein, Dennis Bradley, Ben Byram, Heidi Slaybaugh, Tina Ely, Don Merritt, Susan Bethers, Kevin Johnson, Jenna Marmon, Stefanie Knowlton.
Deputy Director of Field Services Matt Rippee (left) shows plans to Governor Tina Kotek (center) and First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) staff welcomed Governor Tina Kotek and first Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson to Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site, July 20, 2023. Both were greeted by Deputy Director of Field Services Matt Rippee, Park Ranger and Museum Curator Don Merritt and Resource Program Manager Bridget Tinsley, as well as Grant County Chamber of Commerce President-elect Taci Philbrook.
OPRD staff shared a planning and development update about the future Interpretation Center. The center will be located on property acquired via a valued partnership with the City of John Day and Grant County. Southern Oregon University, the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine, Oregon Historical Society and the Oregon Diaspora Project and others will collaborate with OPRD on the design and development work. All partners are committed to protecting the tangible and intrinsic value of the heritage site during the center's creation and strengthening relationships with all stakeholders.
They scheduled their stop during a tour of
Grant and Harney counties. We appreciate the Governor and First Lady including the park in their trip, supporting OPRD, and recognizing this important project.
Last updated January 2024. Additional updates as information becomes available.