History

In Boston’s Chinatown, we have an unrivaled history and reputation - our membership base is comprised of people from all walks of life including: doctors, community leaders, entrepreneurs, lawyers, martial artists, law enforcement, financial services professionals, pharmacists, politicians, small business owners, youth counselors, students and ordinary citizens of the commonwealth.

1948 marks the birth of the Gung Ho Club in Boston, which has persevered through good and bad times to sustain itself as a strong community presence that celebrates and educates Chinese youth. As the oldest Chinese athletic club in Boston, we continue to be the only organization that provides members access to a clubhouse in Chinatown and teaches the art of the Lion dance alongside our athletic programs.

The historical timeline explains our significance locally in Boston's Chinatown and also our connection to a worldwide organization dating back hundreds of years into Chinese history.

Historical Timeline

	Date Description 1868 Boston Lodge established by early Chinese immigrants. 1904 Dr. Sun Yat-Sen joined the Chee Kong Tong in Hawaii. 1906 Grandmaster Moy G. Wing, is one of the incorporates of the Boston Chee Kong Tong, Inc. 1907 Vancouver Lodge purchases its own building and later mortgages it to raise funds for the Chinese rebellion. (Chinese Freemasons Building, Vancouver) 1909 Boston Lodge is the first Chinese organization in Boston to purchase its own real estate property on 6 Tyler Street. 1910 Dr. Sun Yat-Sen visits Boston to raise funds and gather support. During this visit, he slept and hid in the Chee Kong Tong Lodge on 6 Tyler Street. 1911 Dr. Sun Yet-Sen led the Huanghuagang Uprising to overthrow the corrupt Qing Dynasty in April of 1911. (Article: 'KMT leader in Guangzhou for historic visit' - ChinaDaily.com.cn 3.28.05) 1920 The oldest group photo of delegates from the National Convention of Chinese Freemasons held in New York Chee Kong Tong in 1920. (photo coming soon) 1922 Chee Kong Tong Chapter incorporated in Portland, Maine. 1948 Gung Ho Club established by 8 Chinese teenagers in the City of Boston. 1948 Mr. Leong from the Chee Kong Tong introduced martial arts to the club and formed the first Lion dance team. 1949 Lion dance team performed in their first Chinese New Year's Parade. 1949 An annual 'Record Hop' on Thanksgiving night was introduced as a fundraiser and held in the Chinese-American Legion Hall on Oxford Street. 1950 Thanksgiving Record Hop gained popularity in Chinatown - in 1950 featured pop singer Ms. Joni James. 1951 Thanksgiving Record Hop continued success and became a major social function in Chinatown - in 1951 featured up and coming star, Mr. Pat Boone. 1954 Gung Ho Club formally adopted the name ‘Hung Ching’ as the Chee Kong Tong youth club. 1956 New York Hung Ching chapter is established. 1971 Clubhouse relocates to Beach Street. 1975 Hung Ching forms the first club volleyball team and participates in the North American Chinese Invitational Volleyball Tournament. 1978 Clubhouse relocates to Harrison Avenue. 1981 Clubhouse relocates to Lincoln Street Clubhouse. 1991 Clubhouse relocates to 70 Beach Street. 1993 Gung Ho Club celebrates our 45th Anniversary. 1998 Mayor Thomas M. Menino proclaims September 12, 1998 to be ‘Gung Ho Club Day’ in the City of Boston on its 50th Anniversary. 2003 Gung Ho Club celebrates our 55th Anniversary. 2004 Clubhouse relocates to 23 Beach Street. 2004 Hung Ching volleyball team finishes Third in the North American Chinese Invitational Volleyball Tournament. 2006 Offical website is launched on February 5th, 2006. 2006 New York Hung Ching chapter celebrates their 50th Anniversary.