The historic Wing Sang Building, the oldest building in Vancouver Chinatown, will be the permanent site of the country’s first Chinese Canadian Museum.
The Chinese Canadian Museum will highlight places of historic significance throughout the province, celebrating the heritage of Chinese Canadians in B.C. The building will be owned and operated by the Chinese Canadian Museum Society of British Columbia.
The province is providing $27.5 million to the Chinese Canadian Museum Society of British Columbia to support continued planning and operations of the society, as well as the purchase of the historic Wing Sang Building at 51 East Pender St.
“The contributions of Chinese Canadians to this province have been invaluable,” said Premier John Horgan. “The Chinese Canadian Museum responds to the community’s long-standing desire for a place to share stories of achievement and shine a light on injustice. The museum will be an important place for all British Columbians, connecting the past to the present and future generations.”
First constructed in 1889 for Mr. Yip Sang’s business, the Wing Sang Company, then expanded to provide a home for his family, the Victorian Italianate building at 51 East Pender Street is Chinatown’s oldest structure. In 2004, Bob Rennie, founder and executive director of Rennie, acquired the historic building and funded an extensive five-year heritage renovation and restoration.
“Our family’s duty to 51 East Pender has always been to be a good custodian and we are honoured and excited to have Vancouver Chinatown’s oldest structure now celebrated as home to the Chinese Canadian Museum for all Canadians to experience this piece of history and the journey of Chinese Canadians,” said Rennie.
“Our family met recently, and we really want to make sure that the Chinese Canadian Museum has a solid foundation to carry out its mission, and so to help ensure the museum’s success we intend to have the Rennie Foundation make a gift of $7.5 million to the Chinese Canadian Museum Society in the near future.”
The Wing Sang Building will feature space for permanent and temporary exhibits, multi-purpose programs and events, and learning spaces for students.
The museum is expected to open in 2023.
