Moo Lung is main attraction at the Bok Kai museum

Editor’s Note: Object Lesson is an occasional series of features connecting area residents with local history by examining items in the collections of local museums.

Perched in a display case befitting the first ceremonial dragon brought to the states from China, Moo Lung, after a couple years in other parts of the country, made its return to Marysville in 2016.

The Bok Kai Temple Museum has been closed to the public in recent months due to the COVID-19 pandemic but museum organizer Tony Young said he hopes to reopen the doors as soon as they are able to.

The 132-year-old dragon first appeared in Marysville’s Bok

Kai parade in 1888 after being shipped from China that year and was a staple of the festivities each year until 1916.

The dragon made one more appearance in Marysville’s 1930 parade and was featured in the 1937 San Francisco parade before traveling the country to be featured in other Bok

Kai celebrations, said Museum project manager Heather Young.

In 2014, Moo Lung underwent a complete restoration before being put on display at the

New York Historical Museum. After a stint in Portland, Ore., the dragon was shipped back to Marysville in May 2016. The dragon’s bamboo jaw has been reconstructed, peacock feathers replaced and the original kingfisher feathers cleaned.

Now the centerpiece of the Bok Kai Temple in Marysville, the dragon is one of the many artifacts that has been on display since the facility opened its doors earlier this year.

The intricate, detailed dragon head is made of paper maché, silk, hand blown glass and kingfisher feathers and weighs 100 pounds.

“Unfortunately, everything at the museum has been at a standstill with everything that is going on,” said Young.

When regulations allow, the museum will be open on weekends, operating under the same hours as the Bok Kai Temple.

The Bok Kai Museum is located next to the temple at First and D streets in Marysville.