The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C., led by Director Jongtaek Park, and the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, under Chairperson Junghee Kim, are presenting a commemorative photo exhibition titled "A Shared Korean-American Legacy: 800 Days of Restoration." The exhibition runs from Thursday, September 4, through Friday, September 26, on the second floor of the Korean Cultural Center, celebrating the first anniversary of the Old Korean Legation's inclusion in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
On September 9, 2024, the Old Korean Legation officially received recognition on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, an honor that acknowledges its profound historical and cultural significance. Built in the late 19th century during a crucial period of Korean diplomacy, the Legation holds the distinction of being Korea's first permanent diplomatic mission established in a Western nation. For more than a century, this historic building has stood in the heart of Washington, D.C., serving as a symbolic bridge connecting Korean and American history and culture.
The restoration of this landmark building commenced in October 2015 and continued for nearly three years until receiving final completion approval in March 2018. This extensive project marked the first on-site collaboration between Korean and American specialists, encompassing every phase from initial design and construction to meticulous conservation and historical recreation. Rather than a simple renovation, the project represented a significant cultural endeavor that revived a crucial chapter in the shared diplomatic history of both nations, creating meaningful connections between past, present, and future.
Throughout the restoration process, photographer Oh Hyangsuk immersed herself in the construction site, producing an extraordinary collection of more than 120,000 images that document the restoration in remarkable detail. The current exhibition showcases over 70 carefully selected photographs that capture not only the precise placement of each beam and brick but also the unwavering dedication and exceptional craftsmanship of the people involved in the project. U.S. preservation experts have praised the restoration for its exceptional quality, and this excellence played a central role in securing the Legation's addition to the National Register, formally acknowledging both its historical importance and the superior standard of its conservation work.
Oh Hyangsuk, a distinguished visual artist and street documentary photographer, focuses her work on capturing the realities of contemporary society and their cultural foundations. Working across cities worldwide, she has presented her unique perspective through solo exhibitions in Germany, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. Her most notable work, the Old Korean Legation Restoration Series, meticulously documents the dismantling and restoration of the Legation building in Logan Circle over the nearly three-year period from October 2015 to March 2018. This comprehensive body of work faithfully records the technical processes of architectural restoration while providing an in-depth portrayal of the challenges faced and overcome by construction workers and artisans on site.
The Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, established in July 2012 under the Korea Heritage Service, dedicates itself to researching, repatriating, and promoting Korean cultural heritage located abroad. The Foundation works to reintroduce the significance of Korean heritage dispersed worldwide, transforming it into a shared cultural asset for both Korean people and the international community. Through close collaboration with local experts, institutions, and organizations, the Foundation fosters robust international cooperation and operates overseas offices in Washington, D.C., Tokyo, and Paris, conducting research, excavation, exhibitions, and academic programs.
The exhibition incorporates photographs, videos, and personal stories to invite visitors to reflect deeply on the meaning of restoration and the enduring power of cultural heritage. Oh's photography transcends simple documentation, focusing on visually narrating the interconnected stories of people, spaces, and the passage of time within them. Through this artistic lens, viewers can appreciate both the technical complexity of the restoration and the human dedication that made it possible.
During the exhibition period, the Old Korean Legation will host two special Evening Open Houses to complement the photographic display. The first guided tour will be conducted in Korean on Thursday, September 11, while the second will be offered in English on Thursday, September 18. These evening tours, held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., provide visitors with a rare opportunity to experience the fully restored Legation in person, allowing them to see firsthand the results of the meticulous restoration work documented in the photographs. Guests will also hear behind-the-scenes stories from the restoration project, gaining deeper insights into the challenges and triumphs of this remarkable cultural preservation effort.
Registration for the Evening Open Houses takes place in person at the exhibition venue, with twenty visitors selected by lottery for each tour date. This intimate setting ensures that participants can fully appreciate the historical significance of the building while learning about the collaborative international effort that brought the restoration to completion.
