Zhu Family Ancestral Houses

　　Located in Zhujielou Village, Huajiahe Town, Hong'an County, these houses were built during the Qing Dynasty. They face south and are built along a mountainside. The complex is connected by three north-south, parallel alleys, each with an entrance gatehouse. From east to west, these are Huamenlou Alley, Caomenlou Alley, and Xiangpuhang Alley. Huamenlou Alley is flanked by the former residences of Zhu Zhengben, Zhu Shangzhen, Zhu Shanggui, Zhu Zhenglin, Zhu Jiangong, Zhu Zhongzhou, Zhu Xianman, and Zhu Xianhui; Caomenlou Alley features the former homes of Zhu Zhengying, Zhu Zhengning, Zhu Zhongbin, Zhu Yonghai, Zhu Xianyang, Zhu Zhengxi, Zhu Shangfang, and Zhu Zhonghan; Xiangpuhang Alley includes the residences of Zhu Yongzhu, Zhu Yongshen, Zhu Shangzheng, Zhu Shangxin, Zhu Zhongzhen, Zhu Shanghong, and Zhu Zhengquan. All structures feature post-and-lintel beam frames, grey brick walls, and clay tile roofing, with wooden elements above, interconnected between upper levels, and adorned with colored paintings on the walls. The Zhu Ancestral Hall was constructed in the 25th year of the Daoguang reign (1847) during the Qing Dynasty and renovated in the 8th year of the Tongzhi reign (1868). It has a depth of two bays, a width of three bays, with connecting wing rooms on both sides and a central courtyard. During the Anti-Japanese War and the Chinese Civil War, several revolutionary institutions were stationed in Zhujielou Village, including the Fifth District Soviet Government of Huang'an County, the Seventh Township Soviet Government of the Fifth District, the Soviet Government of the Eyuwan Special Region, the Eyuwan Red Army Hospital, the Command of the First Sub-district of the Central Plains Military Region, and the Liu-Deng Army. Revolutionary slogans such as “March on Nanjing, Capture Chiang Kai-shek,” and “The People’s Liberation Army does not press-gang labor or conscripts” can still be found on the walls of the Zhu family houses. The Zhu Family Ancestral Houses hold significant value for the study of ancient architecture and modern revolutionary history.

　　Source: Hubei Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics