[Explanation] As a famous historical and cultural street in China, Tunxi Old Street in Huangshan City, Anhui Province has a history of more than a thousand years.
There are a large number of well-preserved Huizhou buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties on both sides of the old street.
China’s first private museum in the form of ancient architecture and the largest private museum in Huangshan City, Wan Cui Lou Museum, is located in the old street.
[Explanation] Wan Renhui, 74 years old this year, is the founder and curator of the Wancuilou Museum.
When the reporter saw him, he was studying Huizhou cultural books on a desk full of books, and he was focusing on taking notes.
Wan Renhui enthusiastically took reporters to visit the museum, and treasured every piece of collection and display.
[Explanation] It is understood that the construction of Wan Cui Building began in 1996 and was completed and opened to the public in 1999. The main building uses old components such as stone carvings, brick carvings and wood carvings from the ancient buildings of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, blending Hui style residences and gardens The styles of, residences and shops show the characteristics of Huizhou architecture in all directions.
At present, the exhibition hall in the building is divided into four floors, covering an area of more than 2,000 square meters, and has a collection of more than 3,000 items such as paintings and calligraphy, furniture, inkstones, ceramics, and statues.
[Explanation] Wan Renhui told reporters that when he was a teenager, he studied poetry, gold and stone, calligraphy, and pottery in Jingdezhen, and then learned archaeological appraisal by famous teachers.
After he came to Huizhou more than 20 years ago, he was deeply attracted by the charm of Huizhou culture. After seeing some Huizhou architectural fragments lost in the countryside without protection, he had the idea of building a museum.
[Concurrent] Wan Renhui, founder of Wancuilou Museum
These are the Huizhou architecture, the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. They collapsed and gathered some old components of the Huizhou architecture in the countryside, and they are their fine works, brick carvings, wood carvings and stone carvings.
Some are even in the bullpen, and some are even in the pigsty. We bought it and used it with a clean design.
[Explanation] In order to perfectly integrate all the collections with Huizhou architecture, he traveled to all the ancient villages in Huizhou, personally formulated architectural plans and drew drawings. From door knockers, handrails, house beams, wood carvings, and stone benches, he hoped that every Huizhou culture can be embodied in any corner.
[Concurrent] Wan Renhui, founder of Wancuilou Museum
Generally young craftsmen don't know how to do it. They were all workers over the age of 40 in the early 1990s. They could do it if they knew it, but young people would not.
In this situation, we still need us, because I have basically seen too many Huizhou buildings in the three districts and four counties, took too many photos, and painted a lot of drawings.
So although they have good craftsmanship, there are still many cultural things that we need to guide, so I basically cannot do it here and have to tear it down and redo it, and if it doesn't work, it would be a headache to redo it if it doesn't work.
Why does such a small building need to be built for 4 years?
It is for this reason.
[Explanation] This year marks the 22nd anniversary of the opening of the Wan Cui Lou Museum.
Wan Renhui said that the museum has been in a state of loss since its operation. Although it is sometimes stretched, he has persisted.
He believes that the inheritance and protection of culture cannot be measured by money, and he also hopes that more people can invest in the research of Huizhou culture.
[Concurrent] Wan Renhui, founder of Wancuilou Museum
The things of Chinese traditional culture, including our Huizhou culture and Huizhou culture, as long as young people, middle-aged people, or even old age learn these things, I feel that once they learn these things, they will be used for life. Endless, it is a university question. If you study Huizhou for a graduate school, even studying Huizhou architecture will be enough for you to study for a lifetime.
Zhang Jun Chu Weiwei reports from Huangshan, Anhui
Editor in charge: [Chen Haifeng]