The James Jackson Museum (翟雅阁博物馆), established in 1921, stands as a living testament to nearly a century of history. Originally serving as the sports arena for Wenhua University (now part of the precursor to Central China Normal University), the building was later dedicated in honor of the university’s first president, Mr. James Jackson. This architectural gem officially opened its doors to the public on November 11, 2006.
James Jackson, born in 1876, began his missionary work with the Methodist Episcopal Church in Guangzhou, China. Upon returning to the United States in 1878, he became a missionary with the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, preaching among the Chinese community in New York City. In 1882, he was dispatched back to China, establishing the Wuhu Mission District. From 1888 to 1899, he served as the principal of the Jiujiang School for Boys. In 1900, he left the American Board and joined the Episcopal Church, briefly teaching at St. John’s University in Shanghai before becoming the president of Wenhua University in Wuchang in 1901. During his tenure, the university flourished, expanding its curriculum and gaining university status in 1909. Jackson retired to Jiujiang in 1917 and passed away there on April 22, 1918, leaving behind a legacy of educational leadership and cultural exchange in China.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Architectural Style
- Museum Exhibitions
- Attractions near James Jackson Museum
- Other Museums in Wuhan
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 10.00 – 20.00; Closed on Monday |
| Telephone Number | 0086-027-88841111 |
Location and Transportation
The James Jackson Museum is situated on the eastern bank of the Yangtze River. Its precise address is 188 Tanhualin, Wuchang District, Wuhan City, Hubei Province.To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 34, 511, 544, 554, 569, 572, 573, 576, 606, 715, 777, or 811, get off at Zhongshan Road Pangxiejia Stop (中山路螃蟹岬站), and walk about 250 meters to the west to reach the museum.
Metro: The closest metro station to Jason Jackson Museum is Pangxiejia (螃蟹岬) on line 2 and line 7. After getting out of the station from Exit E, walk about 250 meters to the southwest to reach the museum.
Architectural Style
The museum, a two-story structure, showcases a unique blend of architectural styles. The ground floor features red brick walls adorned with cement-framed rolling doors and ornate square windows. The second floor boasts a traditional Chinese columned design, with flaxstone column bases, decorative beams, swallowtail eaves, and single-hook balustrades between the columns. The window lattice work reflects the architectural styles of southern residents, and the roof is crowned with green glazed tiles in the style of a Song Dynasty double-eaved palace.
Not only is the James Jackson Museum the oldest surviving university building in Wuhan, but it also holds the distinction of being the earliest indoor gymnasium in China. It houses a spacious indoor sports arena, fitness equipment, and multi-tiered grandstands. The museum’s architectural charm lies in its combination of Western steel-wood hybrid structures and Chinese-style double-eaved palace roofs, making it a prime example of Sino-Western architectural fusion and a repository of historical significance. Such large-scale historical buildings with this distinctive style are increasingly rare in China, with surviving examples found only in Wuhan, Shandong, and Shanghai.
Museum Exhibitions
Historical and Cultural Exhibition Hall
The first floor of the James Jackson Museum houses a comprehensive Historical and Cultural Exhibition Hall. Here, visitors delve into the background of James Jackson, including his personal history, an overview of Wenhua Academy, original design blueprints, historical images, and more. The exhibit is not only informative but also provides a space for cultural and academic discussions with a dedicated salon area.
Restoration Records Display Area
Within this area on the first floor, visitors can witness the restoration process of the James Jackson Museum through a showcase of images and textual materials. Notably, the restoration adhered to the principle of reversibility, ensuring the preservation of the building’s safety while maximizing the restoration of its original appearance and cultural essence.
Functional Second Floor
The second floor of the museum is a versatile space equipped with 10,000 lumens high-definition projectors, professional audio systems, and lighting equipment. As a pivotal hub for the release of authoritative information on Wuhan’s design and urban cultural brands, this floor can host various events, conferences, fashion shows, art exhibitions, and modern drama performances, accommodating up to 200 people.
