‘A Century of Architecture: The Story of Tung Wah Museum’ Talk Series Second Talk‘The Story behind the Plaques and Couplets at Tung Wah Museum’

Co-organised by TWGHs Records and Heritage Office and Hong Kong Public Libraries

‘A Century of Architecture: The Story of Tung Wah Museum’ Talk Series

In 2016, Kwong Wah Hospital in Yau Ma Tei launched a major redevelopment project, to be completed in two phases. In November 2023, the Phase 1 Building in Kwong Wah Hospital Redevelopment was inaugurated. The 17-storey new building became a new landmark in Yau Ma Tei and marked a new milestone for Kwong Wah Hospital. Looking towards the atrium from the new hospital lobby, one can see a seven-bay Chinese-style building with pitched roofs and plaques bearing the inscriptions ‘Tung Wah Museum’ and ‘Kwong Wah Hospital’ at the main entrance. This building was the first-generation Main Hall Building of Kwong Wah Hospital, built in 1911. It was converted as Tung Wah Museum in 1970 and declared a monument in 2010.

In 1958, Kwong Wah Hospital underwent its first redevelopment, and the old Main Hall Building was the only remaining structure. In 1970, to commemorate the centenary of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, the old Main Hall Building was converted as Tung Wah Museum to pass on the heritage of Tung Wah. The century-old building has witnessed changes in Kwong Wah Hospital and nearby communities; as the first hospital in Kowloon, Kwong Wah Hospital has special significance in the historical development of Yau Ma Tei and even the Kowloon Peninsula. To celebrate the 155th anniversary of the founding of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and the 55th anniversary of the establishment of Tung Wah Museum, this talk series will feature the Museum. Through its unique history, precious cultural relics and distinctive architecture, the talks will deepen public understanding of the Museum, Kwong Wah Hospital and the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, while sharing Tung Wah's century-old charitable work and its achievements in heritage conservation.

Second Talk ‘The Story behind the Plaques and Couplets at Tung Wah Museum’

The Tung Wah Group of Hospitals is the oldest charitable organisation in Hong Kong. Since its founding in 1870, Tung Wah has provided extensive free services to local residents, mainland compatriots and overseas Chinese. From time to time, the organisation would receive plaques and couplets as tokens of gratitude. Each plaque and couplet bears witness to the history of Tung Wah’s century-long charitable endeavours. Some of them were from the directors of Tung Wah or Kwong Wah; some came from fraternal charitable organisations in the Pearl River Delta that used to work closely with Tung Wah; others were gifted by beneficiary organisations for relief of natural disasters, war and famine. There are extraordinary stories behind them, and this talk will feature the most representative plaques and couplets along with their stories.