Introduction to the Centenary Chen Family Academy: The Centenary Chen Family Academy Exhibition is located in the Houjin Ancestral Hall of the Chen Family Ancestral Hall. The museum introduces the history, humanity, origins and influence of the Chen Family Academy in the form of pictures, texts and other forms.
The Chen Family Academy was founded by 48 gentlemen named Chen, including Chen Botao from Dongguan, who served as editor and editor of the Hanlin Academy. With "Taiqiu Taizu of the Han Dynasty" as the ancestor, all Chen family members in counties in Guangdong only need to pay a certain amount. Money can be added to Chen's Academy, and ancestral tablets can be placed in the Chen's Academy shrine for worship. Children of the clan can stay in Chen's Academy when they go to Guangzhou to prepare for exams or handle various affairs.
Beginning in the 14th year of Guangxu’s reign in the Qing Dynasty (1888), Lianyuan Street outside the west gate of Guangzhou, Lizhiwan Fushuitang, Enlonglikou and other areas were purchased in the name of Chen Yingchuan Hall and Chen Shichang Hall, with a total area of about 36,000 More than 600 square meters of real estate were used to build Chen's Academy. It took seven years until the completion of Chen's Academy in the 20th year of Guangxu (1894).
Guangzhou Chen’s Academy is also known as the “Chen Family Ancestral Hall” among the people. Although it is named after an academy, in terms of its function, it is mainly used for worshiping ancestors and clan friendships. It also provides a temporary residence for the children of the surname Chen to go to the provincial capital to study, take exams, litigate, discuss matters, etc.
The architectural decoration of Chen's Academy is exquisite and full of rich Lingnan folk culture. As early as the end of the 19th century, Chen's Academy was photographed and made into postcards, becoming a testimony to foreigners' attention to China's social conditions in China.