Among a row of village houses with gray walls and wooden doors, a two-story building stands out not just for its height but also for the words hanging at the entrance:“Jiahe Museum”. The museum was founded by Wang Jijia, a 53-year-old farmer in Northwest China’s Gansu Province.
Wang exhibits old items he has collected over the past 30 years in his museum that he established on the second floor of his house. “As a farmer, I am full of emotions about what happens on the land,” he said.
When he was in high school, Wang was fascinated by what he found at home—a pile of documents and certificates featuring the lifestyle of the older generations. “Looking at those yellowish papers from the old age, I can’t help wondering the stories behind,” he said.
That’s how Wang’s interest in collectibles began. Since then, he devoted all his spare time to wandering around salvage stations, bookstalls, and neighborhoods to collect old stuff, such as books, certificates, old farm tools and other items of daily use.
In 2017, inspired by an exhibition in the province, he had the idea of establishing a museum displaying his collections. He borrowed money from the bank and used his knowledge from visiting various public museums across the country to design his own museum.
In two years, Wang built the museum that covers about 500 square meters with over 20,000 exhibits, ranging from items as old as several thousand years to new objects from his parents’ generation.
“Older people are nostalgic, and some of them have experienced ups and downs that were totally different from today. I hope to offer them a chance to recall those past days,” Wang said. In his museum, he expects the older generation can recall the unforgettable days while youths can be aware of the changes brought by their parents, including their sacrifices.
Since its opening in September 2019, the museum has received more than 16,000 visitors, including culture lovers, elderly villagers, and museum colleagues.
【小题1】What do we know about “Jiahe Museum”?| A．It is a public museum. | B．It is a private museum. |
| C．It is an art museum. | D．It is a science museum. |
| A．A pile of old papers. | B．A set of ancient farm tools. |
| C．A visit to a museum. | D．A group of yellowish photos. |
| A．got support from his friend | B．was made fun of by villagers |
| C．didn’t have enough money | D．was discouraged by his wife |
| A．Listening to people attentively. | B．Talking endlessly to other people. |
| C．Forgetting what has happened easily. | D．Thinking affectionately about the past. |
