Zhumadian Museum

Zhumadian Museum

Zhumadian Museum is located on the south side of Tianzhong Square in Zhumadian City, Henan Province, and is the city's only comprehensive museum. The museum was constructed with investment from the municipal government starting June 1, 2008, completed in May 2012, and opened for trial operation in September 2012. It officially opened on July 1, 2013, with a construction area of 12,000 square meters, an exhibition area of 7,585 square meters, and an underground storage area of 2,000 square meters. The collection includes over 2,000 cultural relics and images on display, all unearthed in Zhumadian or passed down through generations as historical treasures.

With a total building area of 12,000 square meters, the museum has eight exhibition halls, a display area of 7,585 square meters, and currently features a permanent exhibition titled "Majestic Tianzhong" along with three thematic exhibitions: "World of Ancient Coins," "Soul of Fire and Earth," and "Ink Splendor." These exhibitions showcase over 2,000 cultural relics and images. The exhibits span from the Paleolithic Age to the Ming and Qing dynasties and modern times, mostly comprising fine works from the collections and masterpieces of various dynasties. Temporary exhibition halls host special exhibitions of cultural relics and artworks on a non-regular basis. The overall layout of the museum is rigorously structured, with a novel and unique architectural style and a majestic presence. Public service areas are equipped with electronic touch screens, information inquiry zones, video screening areas, and interactive zones for visitors. Here, visitors can learn about the museum’s overview and exhibition introductions, experience the fun of interacting with virtual relics, and enjoy multilingual (Chinese and English) audio guide systems for key exhibits. Additionally, the museum houses an academic lecture hall, VIP reception room, bookstore, and gift shop. The museum grounds are lush with greenery and offer a serene environment, while the interior of the exhibition halls features exquisite displays and a rich collection of cultural relics, fully reflecting the long-standing cultural heritage of Tianzhong.

The Zhumadian region boasts a rich historical and cultural legacy and is known as the “heartland of Yuzhou and the center of the world.” The exhibitions at Zhumadian Museum focus on showcasing the region’s long and storied history and culture. With the core design concept of “Majestic Tianzhong, Timeless Charm,” the exhibitions follow the development of Zhumadian’s history and culture as their main thread. Based on physical artifacts and specimens, the displays systematically present the most representative cultural relics from different periods, offering visitors a comprehensive introduction to the ancient civilization and outstanding culture of the Zhumadian region, thereby enhancing and deepening their understanding and appreciation of the area’s splendid ancient culture.

The "Majestic Tianzhong – Exhibition on Zhumadian’s Historical Culture" opened on November 20, 2010. The exhibition hall covers an area of 5,585 square meters, with an exhibit route length of 1,087 meters, displaying 1,929 cultural relics and 193 supplementary items.

This exhibition is divided into eight sections, using major events in Tianzhong as a backdrop. While highlighting key points, it also strives to recreate the historical atmosphere of each period, demonstrating the continuity, inclusiveness, and influence of Tianzhong civilization. This allows visitors to appreciate the richness of the material and spiritual world of ancient people from various perspectives. The exhibition fully reflects the latest archaeological findings and research results, such as those from the Yangzhuang Site, Danglou Site, Shangcai Guozhuang Chu Tomb, Xincai Geling Chu Tomb, and Shangcai Shunyang King Tomb. The main contents of each section are as follows:

Preface Hall:

Using materials such as the Yu Gong Nine Provinces Map, the gnomon for measuring shadows, and Yan Zhenqing’s quote “Duke of Zhou established Luoyang, set up a gnomon to measure shadows, and identified Yuzhou as the center of heaven and earth, with Runan as the center of Yuzhou,” the hall depicts the ancient concept of the center of the world.

Unit 1: The Dawn of Civilization

This section highlights the prehistoric culture of the Zhumadian region, showcasing the origins of Tianzhong culture and its characteristics as a cultural melting pot where northern and southern influences converge.

Unit 2: The Feudal States of Tianzhong

This section focuses on the feudal and vassal states within the territory of Zhumadian during the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, as well as their cultures. It also includes cultural relics related to Tianzhong vassal states such as Cai, Jiang, and Shen, which are located outside the Zhumadian region.

Unit 3: The Spread of Chu Culture Northward

This section emphasizes the integration of Chu culture and Central Plains culture, one of the key factors in the formation of Tianzhong culture. From the late Spring and Autumn Period to the Warring States Period, the feudal states in the Zhumadian region were occupied by the Chu and incorporated into its territory. The blending of Chu and Central Plains cultures in Tianzhong resulted in a culture that was rich in Chu elements while also reflecting the fusion of northern and southern influences due to its location in “Tianzhong.”

Unit 4: Casting Brilliance

This section focuses on the advanced iron smelting culture of the Zhumadian region during the Warring States and Han dynasties.

Unit 5: The Prominent Runan Commandery

Centered around the Runan Commandery, and based on cultural relics from this period, this section highlights the history and culture of Tianzhong during the Qin, Han, Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties periods, such as the “Half Court of Runan” and the influential Runan clans.

Unit 6: Relics of Cai Prefecture

This section showcases the museum’s Tang and Song dynasty cultural relics, significant events, and figures from these periods, such as Li Su’s Night Raid on Cai Prefecture and Yan Zhenqing at Tianzhong Mountain.

Unit 7: The Territory of Runing Prefecture

Centered around Runing Prefecture and based on the museum’s Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasty cultural relics and important archaeological discoveries, this section highlights the history and culture of Tianzhong during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

Unit 8: Red Tianzhong

Revolutionary red culture is an important and highlight aspect of Tianzhong culture. This section uses Queshan Zhugou as a representative to showcase the glorious revolutionary struggle history of the Zhumadian region in modern and contemporary times. It includes the Xinyang Tongmenghui, the Queshan Uprising, the Liudian Rebellion, Yang Jingyu, the Zhugou Central Plains Bureau, the Liu-Deng Army’s crossing of the Ru River, and the Chaya Mountain People's Commune.

The exhibition employs various forms of presentation such as sand tables, models, reconstructed scenes, charts, and tables. Examples include the reconstructed model of the Shangcai Guozhuang Chu Tomb, the sculpture of the Han Dynasty iron smelting process, the sand table reconstruction of the Xiping Iron Smelting Site, the model of Li Su’s Night Raid on Cai Prefecture, and the model of the Poshan Cliff Carvings. These elements make the exhibition more vivid and three-dimensional, increase the informational content, and enhance the artistic effect. High-tech methods such as LCD color TVs, electronic screens, and electronic flipbooks are also used, combining sound, light, and electricity to boost interactivity.

The exhibits span from the Neolithic Age to the Ming and Qing dynasties and modern times, mostly featuring fine works from various dynasties, including national first, second, and third-grade relics. There are series of pottery, porcelain, coins, bronze mirrors, bronzeware, bronze swords, ancient calligraphy and paintings, and Buddha statues. The fourth floor is the Red Tianzhong exhibition area, embodying the concept of “Majestic Tianzhong, Timeless Charm.”

In September 2018, after self-assessment and application by the museum, evaluation by provincial museum industry organizations, expert review by the National Museum Evaluation Committee, and filing with the National Cultural Heritage Administration, the Chinese Museums Association approved Zhumadian Museum as a third-batch National Second-Class Museum.

Further Reading:

·National Second-Class Museum of China