Surrounded by residential buildings, one can still see the grandeur of the past from the white walls, vermilion doors and windows, high eaves and pillars on the porch. It is said that this building covering an area of 239.4 square meters was built in 1878 when Stuart’s father, John Innis Stuart, came to Hangzhou to preach. It is currently the oldest missionary residence in Hangzhou. At the age of two, John Leighton Stuart moved here. Passing through the porch and entering the former residence, one is greeted by a spacious hall and dark red floors, giving a sense of historical weight. Entering the first living room on the left on the first floor, a nearly 1.5-meter-tall gray fireplace on the opposite wall and a large oil painting hanging above it are particularly eye-catching. There is also a silver candlestick and an antique desk clock placed on the fireplace. Several sets of reddish-brown sofas are placed against the wall on both sides of the fireplace. The unburned candle stubs and the ticking of the pendulum make people vaguely touch the scene of young John Leighton Stuart playing here. In order to restore the original appearance of John Leighton Stuart’s life at that time, the staff of the exhibition hall almost read all the picture and literature materials about the former residence that can be found now. During the restoration, every piece of furniture was imitated according to the layout of a typical missionary family at that time. Whether it is the tables and chairs in the dining room or the beds and cabinets in the bedroom, every detail is perfected. At present, only four rooms on the first floor of the former residence are open. In addition to the study on the right next to the main entrance, the two rooms near the back door are arranged as a dining room and a bedroom respectively. In the four open rooms, the walls respectively display some precious old photos and graphic materials such as John Leighton Stuart’s life stories in Hangzhou in his early years, the establishment of Yenching University in Beijing and his period as an ambassador in China. The opening hours are from 08:30 to 16:30 all year round.
Former Residence of John Leighton Stuart
Surrounded by residential buildings, one can still see the grandeur of the past from the white walls, vermilion doors and […]
