**永平海南会馆 (Yong Peng Hainan Association) Historical Summary (1874-Present)**

The document outlines the history of the Yong Peng Hainan Association, originally the Qiongzhou Association, tracing its "century of survival" from a pepper cultivation initiative to its permanent location on Ma Zhu Road.

**Key Historical Milestones:**

  * **1874: Initial Establishment**

      * The non-official history began in November 1874.

      * The earliest Hainan immigrants, led by contractor Chen Shuhan, came to Yong Peng primarily for pepper cultivation.

      * The initial purpose was for mutual assistance and solidarity among fellow villagers.

  * **1900: Formal Founding and Early Years**

      * The association was officially established in 1900.

      * The initial site was a simple *Attap house* on a small hill in Yong Ping Old Street (now Zhou Lai Garden Residential Area).

      * It served as both a social venue and the Temple of the Heavenly Queen (*Tien Hou Gong*) for Mazu worship.

      * Shortly after founding, the association suffered its first fire, destroying all early documents.

  * **1920s: Name Change**

      * It was formally renamed the “琼州会馆” (Qiongzhou Association) through the efforts of pioneers like Wang Yongguan, Xing Guquan, and Mo Zhaochang.

  * **1941: War Destruction**

      * In October 1941, the association was burned down by the Japanese military during the Southward Invasion, destroying the architecture, historical artifacts, and literature.

  * **1950: Emergency Decree Suspension**

      * After a post-war "Revival Work Committee" was formed in 1947, all association activities were forced to stop in 1950 when the government issued the Emergency Decree and listed Yong Peng as a "blacklisted" area. The association was stagnant for six years.

  * **1958: Rebirth**

      * After the situation subsided in 1956, a new building was completed in 1958 at No. 2 Ma Zhu Road, Yong Ping New Village, becoming the permanent location.

  * **1981: 80th Anniversary**

      * The 80th-anniversary commemorative issue was published in 1981, confirming the 1900 founding date.

  * **Present Day: Name Finalization**

      * The name was eventually finalized as “永平海南会馆” (Yong Peng Hainan Association) to respond to the changing administrative divisions in China.

**Notable Leaders:**

  * **Founder:** Chen Shuhan (Led pepper planting, built the first association hall in 1900)

  * **Reformers (1920s):** Wang Yongguan, Xing Guquan, Mo Zhaochang (Pushed for the name change to Qiongzhou Association)

  * **Revivers (1947):** Guo Yuanyou, Zhu Deguang (Co-led post-war revival with Wang Yongguan)

  * **Longest-Serving President:** Wang Zhenxian (1979-1999, served for 20 years)