Former Site of Chen Dexin’s Library

Former Site of Chen Dexin’s Library

The former site of Chen Dexin’s Library is a cultural relic protection unit of Henan Province.

Chen Dexin’s Library is located within the compound of Huadu Textile Company in Bailiang Town, Yanling County. It features a brick-and-wood structure with upturned eaves and ornamental corners. The interior is fitted with wooden flooring and a wooden staircase leading to the basement, which connects to a tunnel over 300 meters long.

The Chen family ran a farm in the northern fields of Laozhuang Village. Later, inspired by his elder brother Chen Dexin, Chen Dexian converted the farm into “Sanmin School,” where he served as the principal. In 1936, Chen Dexin funded the construction of this library on the school grounds. He later contributed 2,000 silver dollars to purchase books.

After Chen Dexin died for his country, Chen Dexian renamed it the “Chen Dexin Memorial Hall.” After the liberation, the building served successively as the Yanling County Middle School library lending room and the recreational activity room of the Forestry Ministry Tool Factory.

In 1988, the Yanling County cultural relics department took over the management of the building. In 1999, the Henan Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau allocated special funds for its renovation. In September 2000, the former site of Chen Dexin’s Library was designated as a “provincial-level protected” unit. In July 2007, it was included in the first batch of the Henan Ancient and Modern Residential and Folk Architecture Protection List.

Bailiang Town: Known as China’s Famous Flower Town, Bailiang Town is located in the heart of the Central Plains. It borders the county seat of Yanling to the east, lies 20 kilometers from the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway and the Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway to the west, crosses the 311 National Highway and the Yuhan Railway from east to west, and is 70 kilometers from Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport to the north. With its superior geographical location and convenient transportation, the town is a shining pearl on the land of the plum capital. It administers 34 administrative villages, has 68,000 mu of arable land, a population of 53,000, and covers a total area of 69 square kilometers. In 1995, it was named a “Famous Town of Central Plains” by the Provincial Construction Department.

Bailiang Town has a long history and rich culture... More details about Bailiang Town++

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Henan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units