In the early1950s, a small number of young Taiwanese began to arrive in Philadelphia and its vicinity.  Most of them were recent college graduates who came to pursue their graduate studies at colleges and universities.  Some of them were medical professionals who came to receive advanced training at area hospitals.  As their number gradually increased over the years, they sought each other out and formed close bonds and network among themselves.  Their strong sense of Taiwanese identity eventually led them to organize and establish the Formosan Club of Philadelphia in 1960, which was one of the first Formosan Clubs in the United States and was the predecessor of the Taiwanese Association of America, Greater Philadelphia Chapter (TAAGP).

During the 1960s, the organization＊s membership rapidly expanded.  Regular gatherings were held annually to celebrate the major Taiwanese and American holidays: such as Lunar New Year, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid Autumn Festival, Thanksgivings, Christmas, etc.  Seminars of various subjects were also presented.  The Taiwanese families residing in the neighboring states of Delaware and South Jersey were also invited to join.  Initially, most meetings and social events were held at the Tabernacle Presbyterian Church at 37th and Chestnut streets near University of Pennsylvania.  By the early 1970s, however, the meeting place had to be moved to Houston Hall at University of Pennsylvania to accommodate more than 400 participants at every gathering.  The number of participants continued to grow until the Formosan Club of Delaware and that of South Jersey were established in the mid 1970s.

In 1971, Taiwan lost its United Nations＊ membership.  Many members, who had recently completed their graduate studies, were deeply concerned about the precarious situation of their beloved homeland.  It was at the time when folks back home were living under one-party political system and martial law.  They had to think about their uncertain future, if they were to return to Taiwan.  Many of them were already attracted to the plentiful job opportunities and democratic lifestyle in the US.  In the end, the great majority chose to settle down in the area or elsewhere in the US.  Once settled, this first generation of Taiwanese Americans strived to contribute, in their own professional fields, to the ※Melting Pot§ of this great nation.

During late 1990s and thereafter, due to changes in the US job market and the immigration law, the demographics of the TAAGP membership gradually shifted.  The number of new students came from Taiwan declined.  Today, the TAAGP members are consisted of the first generation Taiwanese Americans, the second generation and newer Taiwanese immigrants, many of them pursuing primarily business interests.

The purpose of the Taiwanese Association of America, Greater Philadelphia Chapter (TAAGP), stipulated in the constitution is: