Built in 1926, this small cottage once housed the kindergarten of Ying Wa Girls’ School. When the kindergarten closed in 1963, it was left largely idle and semi-derelict for long periods of time. What is its story? How did it survive the years before it was restored during the school development in the 2010s and finally repurposed in 2023 to become a place to share the school’s living story? 

The architecture of this pre-World War II structure is in the “Arts and Crafts” style, an English style popular in those days.  According to a report from the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO), there are not many left in Hong Kong.  It is also believed that none of the buildings that used to hold nurseries and kindergartens had survived.  This probably leaves Ying Wa the only school where a physical testimony of early education still stands.

We warmly welcome graduates and parents of present and past students to come on a specially designed journey to experience the rich history of Ying Wa Girls’ School (YWGS) – a guided tour of 1926 Heritage Block. 

The former kindergarten block (1926-1963) was purposefully preserved and restored during our latest school redevelopment, completed in 2019. This precious legacy of Ying Wa, now a Grade 3 Historic Building, has been transformed into a mini museum to feature the Ying Wa Story. Carefully curated, the exhibition showcases precious historical documents and artifacts that manifest the core values and collective memories of the school community.

In this engaging 90-minute tour, visitors will be escorted by our alumna docents and student ambassadors to explore, and may even re-learn about, the historical significance and remarkable development of Ying Wa as a pioneer of women education in Hong Kong. 

Selected highlights of our display include: 

• A decennial (10-year) report hand-written by school founder Ms Helen Davies to the London Missionary Society in January 1901 where the birth of Ying Wa in 1900 was reported  
• The first ever mention of YWGS (in the name of our predecessor, The London Missionary Training Home for girls) in the official record of the Hong Kong Government 
• A bilingual Bible dated back to the 19th century given to Ms Silcocks by school founder Ms Davies and Ms Hutchinson in 1927
• Two books of Principal’s Diary (1925 to 1960) that have miraculously survived the occupation years in WWII
• A pair of baby socks knitted by Ms Davies in 1898 for an infant girl that would become a pupil, teacher and school council member of Ying Wa  
• The only authentic artefact of the kindergarten block that has remained intact in the building 

PHOTO GALLERY

Bible given to Ms Silcocks by Ms Davies and Ms Hutchinson

Principal’s Diaries 1925-1960

Baby socks knitted by Ms Davies

Report to the London Missionary Society, 1901, recording the birth of Ying Wa (Training Home for Girls)

Zone 1 : Beginning and Beyond

Zone 2 : Leading Lights, a tribute to our missionary forebears

Zone 3 : Exhibits to reflect the affectionate bond among the Ying Wa community

Zone 4 : The Nurturing of Ying Wa Girls

Zone 4 : The Nurturing of Ying Wa Girls

Zone 5 : Kindergarten

Zone 6 : Campus Transformation – the Fundraising Tradition

Snapshots from the exterior

Snapshots from the exterior

Snapshots from the exterior

Photo Credits: 
1. Kingsmen Hong Kong Limited 
2. Mr Bob Wong

JOIN A GUIDED TOUR

Tour Schedule (2025-26) 

29-Nov-25 Sat 1030-1200

13-Dec-25 Sat 1430-1600

24-Jan-26 Sat 1030-1200

7-Feb-26 Sat 1430-1600

25-Apr-26 Sat 1430-1600

16-May-26 Sat 1030-1200

27-Jun-26 Sat 1430-1600

11-Jul-26 Sat 1030-1600 

Donation to School Development Fund  (Click)

Donation of records & materials that may have archival value to the School – please contact Ms Jenny Leung by email: jl@ywgs.edu.hk