Wanrong County Museum

Wanrong County Museum

The Wanrong County Museum was first established in September 1978. Its original location was within the Dongyue Temple on West Street in Wanrong County. In 2006, it was relocated to the west side of the Offering Hall and the Main Hall of the Dongyue Temple, facing east, occupying the wing room area of the temple. It covers a land area of 400 square meters, with a building area of 330 square meters, of which the cultural relics storage room and exhibition halls each occupy 150 square meters. The total investment was 330,000 yuan. The main building of the museum is a Qing-style imitation structure with a brick-concrete frame, single-eave hanging gable roof, and spans nine bays in width.

The museum is affiliated with the Wanrong County Cultural Relics and Tourism Bureau and is a fully funded public institution, with a staff establishment of 10 people (including 2 at intermediate professional titles). In 2009, it was rated as a National Third-Class Museum by the National Cultural Heritage Administration. The museum’s collections are primarily acquired through archaeological excavations, acquisitions, and donations. The total number of cultural relics in the collection is 1,067, roughly divided into five categories: 327 pieces of porcelain, 203 pieces of pottery, 92 pieces of bronze ware, 144 pieces of currency, and 46 pieces of calligraphy. Among them, there are 60 classified as precious relics (16 of which are on loan from the municipal bureau), including 9 first-class relics (7 on loan from the municipal bureau), 12 second-class relics (5 on loan from the municipal bureau), and 39 third-class relics (4 on loan from the municipal bureau). The cultural relics storage room is equipped with security technology measures such as computer monitoring and infrared alarms.

In recent years, driven by the favorable trend of free museum access, and in line with our actual conditions, we have organized four temporary exhibitions.

1. On “International Museum Day (May 18),” we held a photo exhibition showcasing cultural relics and historic sites in Wanrong County.

2. Taking advantage of the reopening of the Dongyue Temple, we held a calligraphy and painting exhibition themed “Ink Sea and Flying Clouds.” Fifty renowned calligraphers and painters from Wanrong presented their masterpieces, using every stroke to express their profound understanding of the art of calligraphy and painting, as well as their deep love for their hometown.

3. With the theme “Indelible Images,” we held an exhibition of historical photos of Wanrong, looking back at the era-defining moments of Wanrong’s development and displaying the historical changes in the appearance of the county.

4. We held a personal paper-cutting exhibition by non-material cultural heritage inheritor Feng Shuyu.

As a National Third-Class Museum, we strive to leverage our strengths, innovate, and forge ahead, continuously presenting more and better outstanding works to our audience friends, and playing an active leading role in the dissemination of public culture.

Further Reading:

· China’s National Third-Class Museums