Chinese Museum (Boston) facts for kids
The Chinese Museum was a special place in Boston, Massachusetts, that showed people amazing things from China. It was open from 1845 to 1847. Inside, visitors could see about 800 different items spread across 41 display cases. These items taught people about Chinese art, farming, clothing, and everyday life. The museum was located on Washington Street in a building called the Marlboro Chapel.
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Exploring the Chinese Museum in Boston
Imagine stepping into a museum filled with treasures from a faraway land! The Chinese Museum offered a unique look at Chinese culture. It was one of the first places in America where people could learn so much about China.
What Was Inside the Museum?
The museum had many interesting objects. Here are just a few examples of what people could see:
- Long-gans: These were fruits, sometimes called "Dragon's eyes" because of how they looked. They were a popular snack in China.
- Vermicelli: You might know these as thin noodles! The Chinese used them a lot in their many kinds of soups.
- Nanking Machine Toys: These were wind-up toys from the city of Nanking. They could move around for a short time after being wound up.
- Winter Caps: Visitors could see different styles of warm hats worn by gentlemen in China during the colder months.
- Enameled Jos Vase: This was a special vase shaped like a gourd, which is a Chinese symbol for living a long life. It was designed to hang on a wall.
- Ee-een: This was a two-stringed fiddle, much like a violin. It was a popular musical instrument in China.
- Tai-Kam: This was a bass fiddle, a larger instrument that made deeper sounds. It was similar to the ee-een but often had a drum made from a coconut shell.
A Glimpse into Chinese Life
One of the most exciting parts of the museum was a display that looked like a room from a wealthy Chinese home. It was a detailed copy, or "facsimile," of an apartment. This display included:
- A large and beautiful screen with paintings on glass.
- Chairs and tables made from a special wood called king wood, with shiny marble tops.
- A fancy, embroidered screen for the doorway.
- A vase holding a peacock feather fan with many "eyes" (the colorful spots on a peacock feather).
- Fruit arranged on the table.
- Scrolls hanging on the walls.
- Lanterns hanging from the ceiling.
This display helped visitors imagine what it was like to live in a grand Chinese house.
Where Did the Museum Go?
By 1847, after two years, the Chinese Museum in Boston was not as popular or profitable as it used to be. Because of this, the entire collection was moved to Philadelphia. There, it continued to share the wonders of Chinese culture with a new audience.
