The 140-year-old structure that provides an unparalleled glimpse into the life and culture of the early Chinese community in Oregon. Constructed in 1876 as a trading post, the building evolved over the years to become the social, medical, and religious center for the Chinese community in eastern Oregon. Housed in the original building, the Museum contains a vast collection of artifacts, including business and financial records, supplies, and ancient Chinese herbs and medicines, some dating back to the 1800s.

Oregon State Parks Trust has accomplished its campaign to raise $1.5 million to help preserve and restore this critical site. The fundraising drive, chaired by Oregon First Lady Mary Oberst, received contributions from 377 individuals, businesses, foundations, and agencies totaling $1,504,816, bringing the campaign to a successful completion three years ahead of schedule.

“The Kam Wah Chung & Co. Museum tells an important story—about the Chinese in Oregon and about Doc Hay and Lung On, the men who lived there,” Oberst said, “Thanks to the many contributors to this fundraising effort, we now have the resources to preserve that story, and to delve even deeper into the artifacts and documents at the museum to learn more.”

Recently, the Kam Wah Chung campaign benefited from two grants: $10,000 from Oregon Cultural Trust and $80,000 of a $100,000 grant from the National Park Service’s Save America’s Treasures fund. Oregon State Parks Trust’s Executive Director Dave Eshbaugh singled out Senator Ron Wyden for his role in securing the Save America’s Treasures funding, “Senator Wyden led the effort to get this funding and, in so doing, he helped preserve one of Oregon’s most special places.”

The Kam Wah Chung & Co. Museum project is a united victory for the four lead partners: the city of John Day and the local Friends of Kam Wah Chung, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, and Oregon State Parks Trust. The Friends exist to support the state park, its restoration and presentation to the world. The city enfolds Kam Wah Chung within its own city park.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will include $2.5 million for Kam Wah Chung in its 2007-09 budget request. That money will be used to interpret and further protect this National Historic Landmark through exhibits, safe storage for the museum collection, park improvements and beginning work on a visitor center. If the budget is approved, OPRD will fund this work from its portion of the Oregon Lottery.

"Kam Wah Chung is a park for today and the future," said OPRD Director Tim Wood. "The Trust’s successful fundraising shows us how local pride in an important landmark can attract statewide — and nationwide — support."

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department owns and operates Kam Wah Chung as a State Heritage Site and park.

The Kam Wah Chung & Co. building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark designation.