National Museum of History
Encyclopedia
The National Museum of History (NMH) is located in the Nanhai Academy
in Zhongzheng District, Taipei
, Taiwan
and exhibits Chinese historical items. After the Republic of China
government moved to Taiwan, the National Museum of History was the first museum established.
building near the Taipei Botanical Garden
in 1955. It was renamed “National Museum of History” in 1956 and the building was renovated in a five-floor traditional Chinese Ming
and Qing palace style, with four floors for exhibition and staff offices, and one floor for storage. Despite its limited space, the NMH is renowned for its international exhibitions, and proactive and innovative museum development and educational programs. Various conversions of the building have been carried out over the years to adapt it as a modern space fit for the newest exhibition facilities and requirements. Most recently, architect Michael Graves
designed major renovations in 2002.
The NMH's collection originally comprised the artifacts of the Henan Museum
that were relocated to Taiwan
in 1949, and of relics recovered from the Japanese after the Sino-Japanese War
. It was named the National Museum of History in 1949 and the Chinese Calligraphy title inscription was completed by famous scholar Yu Youren. The collection included the bronzes unearthed in Xinzheng
, Hui
and Anyang
(in Henan Province), Pre-Qin pottery unearthed in Loyang, Han green-glazed pottery, the dancer and musician figurines of the Six Dynasties, and the Tang
tri-colored pottery…etc. The arrival of allocated artifacts and donations from private collectors gradually enriched the Museum's collection and enlarged its archives.
Image:Taipei_National_Museum_of_History_DoorGods.jpg|Door God
s at the museum entrance.
Nanhai Academy
The Nanhai Academy is a collection of cultural and educational facilities located on Nanhai Road in the Zhongzheng District of Taipei, Taiwan. After the Republic of China Government relocated to Taiwan following the Chinese Civil War, Chiang Kai-shek ordered its construction...
in Zhongzheng District, Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and exhibits Chinese historical items. After the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
government moved to Taiwan, the National Museum of History was the first museum established.
History
A “National Museum of Historical Artifacts and Fine Arts” was established in a Japanese styleJapanese architecture
' originated in prehistoric times with simple pit-houses and stores that were adapted to a hunter-gatherer population. Influence from Han Dynasty China via Korea saw the introduction of more complex grain stores and ceremonial burial chambers....
building near the Taipei Botanical Garden
Taipei Botanical Garden
The Taipei Botanical Garden is located in the Nanhai Academy on Nanhai Road in Zhongzheng District, Taipei, Taiwan. The Botanical Garden covers an area of about 15 hectares and includes over 1500 plant species.-History:...
in 1955. It was renamed “National Museum of History” in 1956 and the building was renovated in a five-floor traditional Chinese Ming
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
and Qing palace style, with four floors for exhibition and staff offices, and one floor for storage. Despite its limited space, the NMH is renowned for its international exhibitions, and proactive and innovative museum development and educational programs. Various conversions of the building have been carried out over the years to adapt it as a modern space fit for the newest exhibition facilities and requirements. Most recently, architect Michael Graves
Michael Graves
Michael Graves is an American architect. Identified as one of The New York Five, Graves has become a household name with his designs for domestic products sold at Target stores in the United States....
designed major renovations in 2002.
The NMH's collection originally comprised the artifacts of the Henan Museum
Henan Museum
The Henan Museum or Henan Provincial Museum , located in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, is a history and art museum. It has a collection of more than 130,000 pieces of cultural relics through the ages...
that were relocated to Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
in 1949, and of relics recovered from the Japanese after the Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
. It was named the National Museum of History in 1949 and the Chinese Calligraphy title inscription was completed by famous scholar Yu Youren. The collection included the bronzes unearthed in Xinzheng
Xinzheng
Xinzheng is a small county-level city of Zhengzhou in the south of Henan province of Central China. The city has a population of 600,000 people and covers an area of .-History:...
, Hui
Hui people
The Hui people are an ethnic group in China, defined as Chinese speaking people descended from foreign Muslims. They are typically distinguished by their practice of Islam, however some also practice other religions, and many are direct descendants of Silk Road travelers.In modern People's...
and Anyang
Anyang
Anyang is a prefecture-level city in Henan province, People's Republic of China. The northernmost city in Henan, Anyang borders Puyang to the east, Hebi and Xinxiang to the south, and the provinces of Shanxi and Hebei to its west and north respectively....
(in Henan Province), Pre-Qin pottery unearthed in Loyang, Han green-glazed pottery, the dancer and musician figurines of the Six Dynasties, and the Tang
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
tri-colored pottery…etc. The arrival of allocated artifacts and donations from private collectors gradually enriched the Museum's collection and enlarged its archives.
Collection
The museum collections continued to grow with annual acquisitions obtained with government procurement budget allocations and donations from private collectors. The annual acquisitions provided the museum with artifacts and relics from mainland China, Taiwan, and other countries. The collections dated back to the Neolithic period, the ancient Chinese dynasties Shang, Zhou, Han, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing, to the contemporary era.Gallery
Image:Taipei_National_Museum_of_History_DoorGods.jpg|Door God
Door god
A door god is a Chinese decoration placed on each side of an entry to a temple, home, business, etc., which is believed to keep evil spirits from entering....
s at the museum entrance.