Nanjing University History Museum

Nanjing University History Museum

The Nanjing University History Museum and its Digital Version were first planned in May 1999. With strong support from university leaders, faculty, students, alumni at home and abroad, as well as institutions such as the Jiangsu Branch of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Foreign Construction Corporation, and Beihai Galaxy High-Tech Co., Ltd., the museum was finally opened on the occasion of Nanjing University’s centennial celebration. Over the past three years, archivists and colleagues from related departments have traveled across the country and to Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan to collect nearly 5,000 historical materials, artifacts, and photos from alumni worldwide. They also transferred over 200 video recordings of major events and introductions to distinguished alumni from CCTV, Jiangsu TV, and the university's Educational Technology Center, greatly enriching the archives' collection. The History Museum is located in the old library of Nanjing University (formerly the library of Jinling University), covering a usable area of 1,400 square meters, with an exhibition area of about 1,000 square meters. Gu Yuxiu, former president of National Central University and a centenarian, inscribed the name of the museum. The History Museum is divided into five exhibition areas: "Centennial History," "Nanjing University Today," "Century of Talent," "Multimedia Presentation," and "Gifts Hall."

Nanjing University History Museum – Exhibition Hall Introduction

First Floor Foyer of Nanjing University History Museum

Upon entering the foyer and along the stairway walls, backlit panels and color prints display layout plans of the Gulou and Pukou campuses, the university motto “Sincerity, Simplicity, Aspiration, Greatness, Endeavor, Learning, Integrity, and Action,” as well as historical gates, campus scenes, and group photos of graduates from different eras. As soon as you step into the History Museum, you feel as if you’ve entered a “time tunnel” of Nanjing University’s century-long history, evoking memories of the past, respect for teachers, and nostalgia for classmates among alumni.

Second Floor Multimedia Presentation Hall

In the central hall on the second floor, a rear-projection screen plays the Nanjing University anthem (lyrics by Jiang Qian, music by Li Shutong), as well as CCTV and campus-produced videos such as “A Century of Nanjing University.” In this multimedia space, listening to the beautiful melody of the university anthem and the passionate yet warm recollections of alumni allows you to feel the deep cultural heritage, enduring academic spirit, and inspiring ethos of Nanjing University over its hundred-year journey.

Exhibition Hall 1 – Centennial History and Glorious Revolutionary Tradition

The first exhibition area on the eastern side of the second floor is divided into sections such as “Former Presidents,” “Sanjiang and Liangjiang Schools,” “Nanjing Higher School and Southeast University,” “National Central University,” “Jinling University,” and “Nanjing University.” Using display cases stretching over 50 meters and seven independent cabinets, it showcases more than 400 photos from various periods, as well as over 200 historical items and artifacts. These include a graduation diploma from the Liangjiang Normal School in the second year of the Xuantong era, instruments used by “Queen of Physics” Wu Jianxiong during her studies in the 1930s, and a bronze bell from the Jinling University period. Two color TVs play videos of the university’s 60th, 80th, and 90th anniversaries, as well as a foreign-language “Introduction to Nanjing University” produced in 1985.

At the octagonal pavilion in the center of the hall, four computers run the “Digital History Museum Multimedia System,” which integrates narration, photos, text, music, and some video content. Through these displays, the century-long development of Nanjing University, its educational philosophies, traditions, academic culture, and major achievements are vividly and comprehensively presented.

Nanjing University History Museum Exhibition Hall 2 – Nanjing University Today

The second exhibition area on the western side of the second floor is divided into sections including “Leadership Care,” “Faculty Development,” “Discipline Development,” “Talent Cultivation,” “Scientific Research,” “Facility Construction,” “International Exchange,” “Spiritual Civilization,” “Alumni Connection,” and “Donations for Education.” Using over 60 meters of display cases, it presents more than 700 photos and over 300 items such as awards, prizes, publications, and artifacts representing major teaching and research achievements since 1978. Six independent cabinets in the center display international awards won by our faculty, national-level teaching and research accolades, and certificates noting that the university has ranked first in SCI paper publications for seven consecutive years. These include the Victoria Medal awarded to Academician Ren Meieo by the Royal Geographical Society of the UK and the Grand Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany awarded to Professor Zhang Weilian. Here, you can also see multiple drafts of the article “Practice is the Sole Criterion for Testing Truth” drafted by our faculty member Hu Fuming and published in Guangming Daily, which sparked nationwide discussions on the criterion of truth. Additionally, two color TVs continuously play footage of visits to the university by General Secretary Jiang Zemin and other Party and state leaders, as well as videos on international exchanges, cooperation, and donations by alumni and various sectors of society. At the central octagonal pavilion, four computers offer interactive access to the “Nanjing University Today” multimedia presentation system, featuring abundant video content and narration.

Nanjing University History Museum Exhibition Hall 3 – Century of Talent

The Century of Talent Hall is divided into sections such as “Giants of Science,” “Pioneers Among Alumni,” “Members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Engineering,” “Renowned Humanities Scholars,” “Notable Alumni from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Overseas,” “Alumni in Provincial/Ministerial or Higher Positions,” and “Creating Glory Again.” Using over 40 meters of display cases and four independent cabinets, it highlights the achievements of more than 300 distinguished alumni and over 200 artifacts and models. Two TVs play footage of the “Two Bombs, One Satellite Meritorious Award Ceremony,” “Song of the Qiang-5,” and profiles of figures such as Li Kwoh-ting and Chen Bichen. Two computer touchscreens allow visitors to interactively explore the achievements of over 300 notable alumni and watch videos of more than 20 individuals.

Through these diverse display methods, the century-long development of Nanjing University and the hard work of generations of its members and students are condensed and preserved here. To help visitors gain a more detailed understanding of the museum, archival staff have also produced a “Digital History Museum Multimedia Disc.” This disc uses multimedia software to create a dynamic gallery of all exhibits and key videos from the museum, accompanied by extensive text, narration, background music, and zoomable photos. It vividly encapsulates the century-long history of Nanjing University, its major milestones, and images of its renowned alumni. It is both a miniature version of Nanjing University’s hundred-year story and a treasured keepsake of the university.