Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (Director Jongtaek Park) and the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation (Chairperson Junghee Kim) will co-host a special photo exhibition, A Shared Korean–American Legacy: 800 Days of Restoration, from Thursday, September 4 through Friday, September 26 on the second floor of the Center. The event celebrates the first anniversary of the Old Korean Legation’s inclusion in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Exhibition Overview

On September 9, 2024, the Old Korean Legation was officially added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places—an honor recognizing its historical and cultural significance. Built in the late 19th century, during a pivotal era of Korean diplomacy, the Legation was the first permanent mission Korea established in a Western nation. For over a century, it has stood in the heart of Washington, D.C., serving as a symbolic meeting point of Korean and American history and culture.

The restoration of this historic building began in October 2015 and continued for nearly three years, until it received final completion approval in March 2018. This marked the first on-site collaboration among specialists from Korea and America, covering every stage—from design and construction to conservation and historical recreation. More than a renovation, the project was a cultural endeavor that revived a key chapter in both nations’ shared diplomatic history, creating a bridge between the past, present, and future.

Throughout the process, photographer Oh Hyangsuk immersed herself in the worksite, producing over 120,000 images that document the restoration in meticulous detail. The exhibition features more than 70 carefully selected photographs, capturing the moment each beam and brick was placed, as well as the dedication and craftsmanship of the people involved.

Praised by U.S. preservation experts for its exceptional quality, the restoration played a central role in the Legation’s addition to the National Register—an acknowledgment of its historical significance and the excellence of its conservation. Through photographs, videos, and personal stories, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the meaning of restoration and the enduring power of cultural heritage.

About the Artist (Oh Hyangsuk)

Oh Hyangsuk is a visual artist and street documentary photographer whose work captures the realities of contemporary society and their cultural foundations. Working across cities around the world, she has presented her distinctive perspective through solo exhibitions in Germany, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.

One of her most notable works, the Old Korean Legation Restoration Series, documents in meticulous detail the dismantling and restoration of the Legation building in Logan Circle, Washington, D.C., over a period of nearly three years from October 2015 to March 2018. This body of work faithfully records the technical processes of architectural restoration while offering an in-depth portrayal of the challenges faced—and overcome—by the construction workers and artisans on site.

Oh’s photography goes beyond simple documentation, focusing on visually narrating the intertwined stories of people, spaces, and the passage of time within them. (www.ohyangsuk.com)

About the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation

Established in July 2012 under the Korea Heritage Service, the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation is dedicated to the research, repatriation, and promotion of Korean cultural heritage located abroad. The Foundation aims to reintroduce the significance of Korean heritage dispersed worldwide, transforming it into a shared cultural asset for both the Korean people and the international community.

The Foundation works closely with local experts, institutions, and organizations, fostering robust international cooperation. It operates overseas offices in Washington, D.C., Tokyo, and Paris, carrying out research, excavation, exhibitions, and academic programs. In Washington D.C., its U.S. Office also manages and operates the Old Korean Legation Museum, a landmark in the diplomatic history of Korea and the United States. (www.overseaschf.or.kr)

Special Programs

During the exhibition, the Old Korean Legation will host two Evening Open Houses:

￭ Thursday, September 11 – Guided tour in Korean

￭ Thursday, September 18 – Guided tour in English

Evening tours, held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., provide a rare opportunity to experience the fully restored Legation in person, complementing the photographic record on display. Guests will also hear behind-the-scenes stories from the restoration project.

* Evening Open Houses at the Old Korean Legation

￭ Registration in person at the exhibition venue

￭ Twenty visitors will be selected by lottery for each tour (9/11, 9/18)