History Museum

Introduction

The History Museum is in a temple originally dedicated to Ming dynasty (1368-1644) general Shi Kefa. The patriotic Shi became a Ming hero when he resisted the Qing troops who invaded Yangzhou and later executed him.

This museum houses a collection of paintings and calligraphy by the ‘Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou’. These artists developed a spontaneous and modern style of evoking the traditional subjects of bamboo, rocks, pines and flowers. Other special exhibits include a wooden boat retrieved from the Grand Canal and believed to be over a 1,000 years old and also a funeral suit made of 500 pieces of jade. In addition there are also jade household items, embroidery and lacquered works.