Kam Wah Chung Interpretative Center

Our community has a remarkable opportunity to connect our historic downtown to the City's Chinese cultural heritage with the erection of a new Kam Wah Chung Interpretive Center.

About the Project – Our Unique Opportunity

The State of Oregon has approved Archaeological Permit AP-3339, which authorizes excavation and removal of archaeological, historical, prehistoric, or anthropological materials from the Gleason Pool demolition site. Gleason Pool will be removed and the location restored to reflect its original use as a historic Chinese settlement through the construction of the new Kam Wah Chung Interpretive Center.

Creating a Concept

Gleason Pool was erected in 1958 as John Day's first and only community swimming pool. It was built on three acres of land donated to the City of John Day in the 1950s by Dr. Bob Wah, an apprentice of Ing “Doc” Hay, the original Chinese herbalist who ran the Kam Wah Chung mercantile and clinic alongside his business partner, Lung On.

Dr. Wah donated the land, adjacent to what is now the historic Kam Wah Chung heritage site, to provide John Day residents with a location to build a municipal pool and park that would provide decades of recreation, education and training activities for the community.

The Kam Wah Chung mercantile operated up to 1948, when Doc Hay’s health began to fail. It is now a state heritage site operated and maintained by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and one of Oregon's 17 National Historic Landmarks. The City of John Day has entered into a purchase and sale agreement with Oregon State Parks in November 2021 (see Resolution No. 21-868-16) to provide the three-acre Gleason Park and Pool to the State for construction of a new, expanded interpretive center that includes numerous exhibits currently not on display due to lack of museum space, returning it to its historic use as a Chinese cultural center.

Highlights of the New Kam Wah Chung Interpretive Center:

Built at the site of the former Gleason Pool and historic China town/settlement
Interpretive Panel to be erected at the site in memory of Gleason Pool and its importance to the community
Enhanced circulation for sequenced Visitor's Center interpretive experience
Built to match historic Chinatown landscape
Expanded areas for public exhibits, collections, building services and administration
Improved environmental controls and safeguards for cultural resources and exhibits
Separate tour and staff entrances

Planning Timeline

2005, the property became a National Historic Landmark
2009, Kam Wah Chung Master Plan published
2018, City of John Day begins planning for eventual replacement of Gleason Pool
May 2021, Feasibility Study published for new Kam Wah Chung Interpretive Center
October 2021, Oregon State Parks offers to purchase Gleason Park and Pool from City of John Day
November 9, 2021, John Day City Council passes resolution authorizing sale of Gleason Park and Pool following a public hearing on the matter
March 22, 2022, Council approves demolition contract with Tidewater Contractors, LLC
April 25, 2022, Archaeological Permit AP-3339 issued for Gleason Pool demolition and excavation
May 19, 2022, Memorandum of Agreement regarding demolition of Gleason Pool signed by SHPO, John Day and OPRD
May 21, 2022, Demolition and site restoration begins
July 14, 2022, Demolition completed
July 20, 2022, Fully executed Purchase and Sale Agreement signed by John Day and OPRD