Thursday, April 8, 2010

Field Trip - Wing Luke Asian Museum

Instantly I thought the Wing Luke Asian Museum was beautiful (Look at this conference room). It took a bit more time to convince my children that they enjoyed it, but then they didn't want to leave. The main floor had a pretty heavy content exhibit called "Yellow Fever", although it is in a comic-style it really is not for children.  A lot of the racial images are hard to explain, especially where my children have no context for it.   One display had vintage "Jap hunting licenses" from the World War II era.  Honestly it was heart breaking and rather sickening to think about it.  We quickly moved on.  
You walk up a spectacular staircase, into a hallway filled with light.  Hanging from the ceiling are beautiful papers which have written on them stories of immigrants. It is called the "Letter Cloud." 
A great art room with hands-on stations.  They have after school classes and a student gallery there too.  How beautiful is this display of handmade frames picturing toys.

The children's section has a exhibit right now on New Year's Traditions in various Asian countries.  There are fun games to play and the entrance to the exhibit is a beautiful wall full of tags with New Year's wishes. (you can add your own too).
The Wing Luke Asian Museum is at 719 South King Street, Seattle; (206) 623-5124
The NY Times reviewed this museum HERE

Oh and right across the street -A fortune cookie factory!!! Talk about good fortune.

4 comments:

Jamie said...

That looks amazing. Wish I could visit.

Diane said...

Aren't you thrilled that your children have no context for racial issues?

The irregular fortune cookies sell cheap at that factory. You can get a big bag for next to nothing (or at least that used to be true.)

Traci said...

I LOVE the photo wall! Adorable, I have always loved photo frames, you can never have enough! What a fun day!

Kristin said...

Jamie - the best thing is you CAN come visit! Please do:)

Diane - I do feel so grateful to be raising my children in a time and place where they can appreciate and enjoy other cultures and not judge another by how they look.