Former Residence of Zhang Wentian

Former Residence of Zhang Wentian

The former residence of Zhang Wentian is a cultural relic protection unit and a patriotic education base in Wuxi City.

The former residence of Zhang Wentian is located at No. 45 Tangxiang, Wuxi City. It is a small red building in a Spanish-style imitation built in the 1930s, covering a land area of 500 square meters with a construction area of 200 square meters. The courtyard is planted with flowers and trees such as dragon cypress, pomegranate, and banana. In front of the building stands a half-length white marble statue of Zhang Wentian, and above the main entrance of the building hangs a plaque inscribed with “Former Residence of Zhang Wentian,” written by Bo Yibo.

Inside the building, there is an “Exhibition of Photographs Depicting the Life of Zhang Wentian,” divided into five sections: “Exploring the Revolutionary Path; Taking Charge at the Party Central Committee and Supporting Mao Zedong’s Correct Line; Working the Land in Northeast China; Serving on the Diplomatic Front of New China; Upholding Truth and Striving for a Lifetime.” The exhibition displays over 200 precious historical photos and artifacts left by Zhang Wentian during the New Democratic Revolution, the Socialist Revolution, and the construction period. At the same time, the bedroom and study that Zhang Wentian used have been restored to their original appearance. Here, he revised and finalized his final brilliant work exploring the basic theories of socialism, “Politics and Economics Under the Proletariat.”

Through the implementation of rich educational and promotional activities, the former residence promotes Zhang Wentian’s ideological theories and noble character. It has been designated as a “Provincial Patriotic Education Base” and a “Provincial School Moral Education Base” by the Publicity Department of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the CPC and the Jiangsu Provincial Education Commission. In 1999, it was awarded the “Wuxi Patriotic Education Base Award for Outstanding Achievements in Open Education.” In 2006, it was recognized as an “Advanced Unit in the Construction and Management of Patriotic Education Bases” by the Publicity Department of the Wuxi Municipal Committee of the CPC. It is now a cultural relic protection unit in Wuxi City.

On December 19, 2011, the People's Government of Jiangsu Province announced it as part of the seventh batch of provincial-level cultural relic protection units.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units