Day 9 - Chinatown, Downtown Historic District, Washington D.C.
đź“ŚAPIA Every Day (9) - Washington, D.C.'s Chinatown is a historic neighborhood located in the heart of Downtown Washington, D.C. It has a rich history of Chinese immigration dating back to the 19th century. The neighborhood was originally established in the 1880s, but it was relocated in the 1930s to make way for government development projects. At its peak, Chinatown extended from G Street to Massachusetts Avenue and from 5th Street to 9th Street, becoming a bustling community with Chinese businesses, schools, clubs, and cultural institutions. One of the most prominent symbols of the neighborhood's cultural heritage is the Friendship Archway, a traditional Chinese gate dedicated in 1986 to mark the friendship between Washington, D.C., and Beijing, China. This impressive archway, designed by architect Alfred H. Liu, showcases intricate Chinese design motifs and is adorned with over 7,000 glazed tiles and 280 painted dragons.
The Chinatown Community Cultural Center, located at 616 H Street, has played a significant role in preserving and promoting Chinatown's cultural identity. This center offers a range of programs and activities aimed at celebrating Chinese culture, history, language, and heritage. These include walking tours that provide insights into the neighborhood's history and culture. The center's efforts contribute to educating both residents and visitors about the neighborhood's rich past and its role in shaping the cultural fabric of the city.
However, the neighborhood faced significant challenges over the years. The 1968 riots following Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination and subsequent urban decline led to many Chinese residents moving to the suburbs in Maryland and Virginia. Gentrification further reshaped the neighborhood, with the construction of the Capitol One Arena in 1997 driving up property values and forcing many Chinese-owned businesses to close or relocate. Today, the once-thriving Chinatown is a shadow of its former self, with only a small number of Chinese residents remaining. The iconic Friendship Archway, a symbol of the city's relationship with Beijing, is one of the few remnants of Chinatown's vibrant past, serving as a reminder of the community's enduring spirit in the face of change and challenges. The area's historical significance is recognized as part of the National Register of Historic Places-listed Downtown Historic District, reflecting its importance in Asian American history in the nation's capital.
PHOTO 1: Friendship Arch in Washington, D.C.'s Chinatown | Library of Congress, Carol Highsmith
PHOTO 2: “SAVE CHINATOWN” banner that hung on 7th and I Street on the Jade Palace restaurant in the 1980s | 1882 Foundation
PHOTO 3: D.C. activists protests in Chinatown in response to Atlanta-based shooting that killed 8 including 6 women of Asian descent | Alejandro Alvarez, WTOP
LEARN MORE & see where you can watch “LITTLE FIGHT IN BIG CHINATOWN” , a documentary by Karen Cho
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