2025 marks the centenary of the Palace Museum’s founding. To celebrate this milestone, the exhibition A Century of Stewardship: From the Forbidden City to the Palace Museum opened on September 30.
The exhibition is divided into three sections: “A Lineage of Civilization,” “A Century of Endeavor” and “Myriad Visions of Splendor”. Featuring 200 pieces (set) of artifacts, it offers a vivid interpretation of the defining characteristics of Chinese civilization—its continuity, innovation, unity, inclusiveness and enduring spirit of peace. Through these treasures, visitors can trace the Palace Museum’s century-long journey—from its birth and early struggles to its steady growth and ongoing innovation in more recent decades.
Founded on October 10, 1925, the Palace Museum was transformed from the imperial palace of China’s Ming and Qing dynasties (1368–1911) into a cultural institution open to all. Established amid national turmoil, the early museum overcame immense challenges brought by political transition and economic hardship. During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931–1945), it successfully relocated its collections to the south for safekeeping.
After the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, with the care and support of the Communist Party and government of China, the museum entered a new stage of development. Restoration of its ancient architecture advanced steadily, collection management was strengthened, and exhibition programs continued to expand. During the Reform and Opening-Up period, the museum further improved its infrastructure and enhanced its systems for collection, conservation, research, display, and public engagement.
In the new century, the Palace Museum launched its largest restoration and conservation project since its founding, along with a seven-year comprehensive inventory of its collections—initiatives that have significantly advanced the holistic preservation of the Forbidden City and spurred the museum’s rapid development.
The exhibition will run until December 30. As part of its centenary celebrations, the museum has also launched a series of special exhibitions, including Artistry and Ingenuity: The History and Conservation of the Qianlong Garden, and An Exhibition Commemorating the Southward Evacuation of the Palace Museum’s Artifacts.
Source: The Palace Museum