Chinese Museum (Boston) facts for kids
The Chinese Museum was a special place in Boston, Massachusetts, that opened in 1845. It was like a window into Chinese culture for people in America. The museum displayed about 800 different items in 41 glass cases. These items showed off Chinese art, farming tools, clothing, and other interesting customs. You could find the museum on Washington Street inside a building called the Marlboro Chapel.
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What Was Inside the Chinese Museum?
The museum was filled with many unique objects that gave visitors a glimpse into daily life and traditions in China. Here are some of the fascinating things people could see:
Food and Everyday Items
- Long-gans: These were a type of fruit, often called "Dragon's eyes." They were a favorite snack in China.
- Vermicelli: This is a kind of thin noodle. The Chinese used a lot of it in their many different soups.
Fun and Games
- Nanking Machine Toys: These were special toys from Nanjing. They had tiny machines inside. When you wound them up, they could move around for a little while!
Clothing and Decorations
- Winter Caps: The museum showed different kinds of hats worn by gentlemen during the colder months.
- Enameled Jos Vase: This was a beautiful vase designed to hang on a wall. It was shaped like a "bottle gourd," which is a Chinese symbol for a long life.
Musical Instruments
- Ee-een: This was a two-stringed fiddle. It was similar to a musical instrument called a rebeck.
- Tai-Kam: This was a bass fiddle, which makes lower sounds. It looked a lot like the ee-een, but its sound box was made from a coconut shell instead of bamboo. This gave it a deeper, gruffer sound.
A Glimpse into a Chinese Home
- Wealthy Chinaman's Apartment: One of the most exciting exhibits was a full-size model of a room from a rich Chinese home. It showed how people lived.
- It had a large, beautiful screen with paintings on glass.
- There were fancy chairs and tables made from special wood with marble tops.
- A beautifully embroidered screen hung over the doorway.
- You could see a vase holding a peacock feather fan with many "eyes" (the colorful spots on the feathers).
- There was fruit on the table, scrolls on the walls, and lanterns hanging from the ceiling.
The Museum's Journey
The Chinese Museum was popular for a few years. However, by 1847, fewer people were visiting, and it wasn't making enough money. Because of this, the museum closed its doors in Boston and moved to Philadelphia to try and find a new audience there.
