‘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, which was divided into 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 significant milestone for Kwong Wah Hospital. From the new hospital lobby, the atrium offers a view of 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 into Tung Wah Museum in 1970 and declared a monument in 2010.

In 1958, Kwong Wah Hospital underwent its inaugural 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 into Tung Wah Museum to pass on the heritage of Tung Wah. The century-old building has witnessed the evolution of 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

Speaker : Prof. TING Sun Pao, Joseph (Honorary Professor, School of Chinese, The University of Hong Kong )

Date : 11 October 2025 (Saturday) 

Time : 2:30-4:30 pm

Venue : G/F, Lecture Theatre, Hong Kong Central Library (66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong)

* Commencement Date of Seat Reservation : 29 September 2025 ( Monday )

* The lecture will be conducted in Cantonese.

* Free admission. People who are interested can click here to the registration webpage or contact us ( Tel: 2770 0867 ) during working hours ( 9:30 am to 6 pm, except Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays) for registration. 

* For details, please visit the website of Hong Kong Public Libraries.

* First come, first served. 

* Session will be cancelled or postponed if Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above, Black Rainstorm Warning Signal or "extreme conditions" ^Note is issued and remains in force 3 hours before the starting time of the session. (Note: In case of serious disruption of public transport services, extensive flooding, major landslides or large-scale power outage caused by a super typhoon, the Government will make an announcement of "extreme conditions".)

* Programmes are subject to change and cancellation without prior notice. For enquiries, please call 2770 0867.

備註：
本辦公室已敦促屬下員工及活動提供者，於服務提供時必須留意並遵從《中華人民共和國香港特別行政區維護國家安全法》和與維護國家安全有關的香港其他法律，包括但不限於《國旗及國徽條例》、《區旗及區徽條例》及《國歌條例》，並確保在轄下單位內的行為或活動不會可能構成或可能導致在國安法或香港其他法律下屬危害國家安全，或不利於國家安全的罪行。