Imagine stepping into the Panama Hotel in Seattle, Washington, and being transported back in time. With its charming old world charm, wooden floors, and black and white photos on the walls, it seems like any other historic hotel. However, beneath its surface lies a glimpse into a painful past. During World War II, the basement of the Panama Hotel was used by local Japanese Americans as a storage space for their belongings before they were sent to internment camps. For the current owner, preserving the dark history of the hotel has become her life’s work, as she aims to honor the Japanese American experience and the hardships they faced during that time.
The hotel’s basement holds a treasure trove of items, from fishing and art supplies to watercolors and even an old violin. These belongings were left behind by Japanese American families who were unable to return and collect them due to the chaos and discrimination they faced upon their release from the internment camps. The hotel’s current owner, Jen Johnson, an artist herself, was determined to preserve the legacy of the hotel and its connection to Seattle’s Japan Town. She bought the hotel in 1985 and has been working to document and protect the items in the basement ever since. In fact, she is even in the process of opening a Japanese-American Museum on the hotel site to further honor the history and experiences of Japanese Americans in the area.
The History of Seattle’s Panama Hotel
Basement as Storage for Japanese Americans
The Panama Hotel, located in Seattle, Washington, played a significant role in the history of Japanese Americans during World War II. During this time, the hotel’s basement served as a storage space for the belongings of local Japanese Americans who were eventually incarcerated in camps. These individuals, facing uncertain futures, entrusted their possessions to the basement of the Panama Hotel. This act symbolized both the trust they had in the hotel’s owners and the sense of loss and displacement they felt as their lives were upended.
Preserving the Dark History
For the current owner of the Panama Hotel, Jen Johnson, preserving the dark history and legacy of the building has become her life’s work. Recognizing the historical significance of the basement and its connection to the Japanese American experience during World War II, Johnson has made it her mission to ensure that this history is not forgotten. By preserving the hotel and its belongings, she aims to shed light on the struggles and injustices faced by Japanese Americans during this difficult period in American history.
The Japanese American Experience during World War II
Incarceration of Japanese Americans
In the wake of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the United States government enacted measures that led to the forced incarceration of nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans living on the West Coast. These individuals were stripped of their civil liberties and sent to internment camps, where they lived in crowded and often harsh conditions. Families were torn apart, livelihoods were disrupted, and a sense of fear and uncertainty pervaded the lives of Japanese Americans during this time.
Conditions upon Return
At the end of World War II, when the internment camps were closed, Japanese Americans faced myriad challenges in reintegrating into American society. Many returned to find their homes and businesses gone, their possessions lost or destroyed. Some faced discrimination and hostility from their fellow citizens, making the transition even more difficult. The Panama Hotel, with its basement filled with forgotten belongings, serves as a testament to the struggles faced by Japanese Americans at this time.
Meeting the Previous Owner
Jen Johnson’s Introduction to Mr. Hori
Jen Johnson, the current owner of the Panama Hotel, first became acquainted with the hotel’s previous owner, Takashi Hori, when she rented a studio in the neighborhood. As she spent time with Mr. Hori, he shared stories of the hotel’s past, including the use of the basement as a storage space during World War II. These stories deeply moved Johnson and ignited her passion for preserving the hotel’s history and the belongings left behind.
Discovering the Basement and Trunks
During her time with Mr. Hori, Johnson had the opportunity to explore the basement of the Panama Hotel. There, she discovered a treasure trove of trunks and belongings that had been stored by Japanese American families during their time of incarceration. The sight of these forgotten items struck a chord within Johnson, driving her determination to preserve this important part of history.
Preserving the Legacy
Johnson’s Decision to Preserve
In 1985, Jen Johnson made the decision to purchase the Panama Hotel with the intent of preserving its legacy. At the time, there was limited interest in the trunks and the hotel, but Johnson recognized the significance of what these belongings represented. She saw the potential to educate future generations about the experiences of Japanese Americans during World War II and the importance of preserving their history.
Changing Opinions about the Hotel
Over time, the perception of the Panama Hotel and its historical significance began to shift. In 2006, it was designated a National Historic Landmark, solidifying its importance in the nation’s history. This recognition brought about a newfound appreciation for the hotel’s role in preserving the memory of Japanese American incarceration. With the support of grants and funding, Johnson was able to document the thousands of items stored in the basement, further cementing the hotel’s place in history.
Documenting the Belongings
Designation as National Historic Landmark
In 2006, the Panama Hotel received the prestigious designation of National Historic Landmark. This recognition formally acknowledged its historical significance and the importance of preserving its dark past. The designation helped bring attention to the hotel and its connection to the Japanese American experience during World War II.
Grant for Documentation
Following its designation as a National Historic Landmark, the Panama Hotel received a significant grant to document the belongings stored in its basement. This grant allowed for the thorough cataloging and preservation of the thousands of items left behind by Japanese American families. The documentation process was meticulous and time-consuming, but it served as a way to honor the individuals who entrusted their belongings to the hotel’s basement during a time of great uncertainty.
Opening a Japanese-American Museum
Plans for a Museum on the Hotel Site
Jen Johnson has been working towards opening a Japanese-American Museum on the site of the Panama Hotel. This museum would serve as a dedicated space to educate visitors about the history and experiences of Japanese Americans during World War II. By showcasing the belongings stored in the basement and telling the stories of those who were affected by incarceration, the museum would provide a deeper understanding of this dark chapter in American history.
Maintaining the Hotel’s Historic Rooms
Despite the plans for a Japanese-American Museum, Johnson remains committed to maintaining the Panama Hotel as a functioning establishment. Visitors will still have the opportunity to stay in the hotel’s historic rooms, helping to keep the spirit of Nihon Machi, Seattle’s Japan Town, alive. This unique approach allows guests to immerse themselves in a piece of history while also supporting the preservation of the neighborhood’s legacy.
Keeping Nihon Machi Alive
Preserving the Neighborhood’s Legacy
The Panama Hotel and its efforts to document and preserve the history of Japanese Americans are part of a larger movement to keep the legacy of Nihon Machi alive. This neighborhood, once a thriving center of Japanese culture and commerce, experienced a decline in the wake of World War II. By preserving the hotel and opening a museum, the community aims to honor the contributions and experiences of Japanese Americans and revitalize the neighborhood’s connection to its past.
Honoring the Japanese American Community
Above all, the preservation of the Panama Hotel and its dark history serves as a tribute to the Japanese American community. Through the hardships faced during World War II and the strength shown in the face of adversity, these individuals have left an indelible mark on American history. By preserving their stories and belongings, the legacy of Japanese Americans will continue to be honored and remembered for generations to come.
Conclusion
The Panama Hotel in Seattle, Washington, is a testament to the Japanese American experience during World War II. The hotel’s basement, once used as a storage space for the belongings of incarcerated Japanese Americans, holds a collection of forgotten items that serve as a tangible connection to this dark period in history. Owner Jen Johnson has made it her mission to preserve this history, documenting the belongings and advocating for the opening of a Japanese-American Museum on the hotel site. Through these efforts, the legacy of Japanese Americans will continue to be remembered and honored, and the Panama Hotel will serve as a living memorial to the strength and resilience of a community.