Bruce Lee’s family envisions a museum in his honour

Few might know that one of the world’s fastest martial artists— the sinewy, US-born Bruce Lee— once used the basement as his first training studio.

Now, on the 35th anniversary of his death, his family wants to honour his physical prowess, love of philosophy and noted acting career with a multimillion-dollar museum in the Seattle area.

Drawings for the free-standing building and remembering his legacy will be part of a three-day celebration beginning Friday at the Seattle Art Museum.

“His happiest times were from his time spent in Seattle,” daughter Shannon Lee said. “It makes sense to have the museum there in Seattle. . . . The core idea behind it is the notion of taking action.”

The weekend celebration will include a showing of “Enter the Dragon” and an exhibit of about 35 items, such as movie posters, from his acting career. On Sunday at 11:30 am, his family and supporters will hold a public graveside memorial at Lake View Cemetery.

Linda Lee Cadwell, his widow, wants the proposed museum to include more than just items from his movies and his 1960s role as Kato, the fighting chauffeur, in the television series “The Green Hornet.” His family envisions the building housing offices of the Bruce Lee Foundation. They also want to use the museum as a research facility that focuses on how Lee developed his own style of martial arts, as well as his views on combat, life and psychology.

“One of the reasons why he is so relevant today is that people have discovered him layer by layer,” Cadwell said.

“He led a life of significance and meaning.”

Lee was a writer and someone who took Eastern and Western philosophy seriously.

But Cadwell realizes many people admire her husband for his martial arts skills and lightning-fast speed.

The building could cost tens of millions of dollars and will require much fundraising, Shannon Lee said.

The items on display this weekend will include publicly unseen photos from “Enter the Dragon” and promotional items, such as badges and flip books, said Perry Lee, no relation, who helped organise a 2003 exhibit on Bruce Lee in Seattle.

This weekend, Seattle resident Jesse Glover and Woodinville resident Taky Kimura will join Lee’s other early students during panel discussions. Many students are in their 70s and 80s.