Illuminating the Past: Educational Textbooks During the Republic of China Era
Illuminating the Past: Educational Textbooks During the Republic of China Era In-Person
The Republic of China era (1912-1949) was a time of immense change and development in Chinese history. During these transformative years, as China faced political turbulence and embraced modernization, education was seen as a cornerstone for national revival. This exhibition, "Illuminating the Past," highlights educational materials illustrating the efforts to educate young minds and the general public and cultivate a sense of national identity amidst ongoing change.
Curated by Asian Library staff members Xiuying Zou, Xizhen Huang and Chunxiao Zhang, the exhibition highlights select items from the John Sheng Collection – a collection of over 4,450 volumes of the Republic-era Chinese school textbooks and educational materials that was donated to the Asian Library in 2019 by the descendants of Sheng Zhifang (沈知方1883-1939), a well-known publisher, book collector, and entrepreneur in modern Chinese publishing industry. The collection offers a comprehensive snapshot of Republic-era China's educational and cultural environment.
Exhibit Details
Asian Library Gallery, Honnold 3, The Claremont Colleges Library
(800 N. Dartmouth Ave., Claremont, CA 91711)
April 7, 2025 – December 12, 2025 (extended!)
Exhibit on view during Library building hours
*Please note this is the correct end date; our calendar is limited to a 45-day window so the dates listed below will be updated as time goes on.
Questions?
Contact Xiuying Zou, Head of the Asian Library, by emailing xiuying.zou@claremont.edu or calling 909 607-4094.
- From:
- Monday, August 11, 2025
- To:
- Wednesday, September 24, 2025
- Time Zone:
- Pacific Time - US & Canada (change)
- Location:
- Asian Library Gallery, Honnold 3
- Audience:
- Faculty/Staff Graduate Students Open to the Public Undergraduate Students
- Categories:
- Exhibit