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NVC Memorial Hall

The building that now serves as headquarters for the Nisei Veterans Committee was built by the Seattle Hokubei Butokutai. It originally opened in 1940 after Seattle Hokubei Butokutai, as were many other Japanese organizations, was forced to relocate from its original location at 508 Main Street to 1212 King Street for the Yesler Housing Project. Serving as a "Community Club," one of its original purposes was as a kendo dojo. The Pacific Northwest's final pre-war Kendo Tournament was held at the facility on May 4, 1941, barely one year after its opening.

The Nisei Veterans Committee was formed in 1946 by veterans of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team who at the end of World War II, were denied membership in American VFW and American Legion Posts. In December of 1951, the NVC purchased the building, made its first renovations and reopened it as the "Nisei Veterans Committee Memorial Hall." Since that time, it has become an historic and important community landmark and, is popularly referred to as "Vet's Hall" within the Japanese-American Community.

Although the architect of record is John Mattson, the original design drawings and construction permits were signed by Kichio Allen Arai, the first Asian American to graduate from the University of Washington's Architecture Program. Arai later received his Masters in Architecture from Harvard University and is notable for his contributions to numerous buildings associated with the Japanese community throughout the Pacific Northwest.