[1] A major fire on 25 December 1953 destroyed the Shek Kip Mei shanty town of immigrants from Mainland China who had fled to Hong Kong, leaving 53,000 people homeless.

After the fire, the governor Alexander Grantham launched a public housing programme to introduce the idea of multi-storey building for the immigrant population living there.

[4][5] The Government has backed off from its plans to redevelop the area, following great opposition from many who believe they symbolised the history of Hong Kong.

The museum includes restored rooms, resident stories and photos, and documentation of the history of public housing estates.

The old Shek Kip Mei Factory Estate was renovated and now serves as the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre.