The missing link: the social history ofChang's Manor through local ordinary stories

Abstract

In Qing Dynasty, Chang’s family was one of the most famous merchants of the Shanxi ancient business. Chang’s Manor, which has a history of more than 200 years, stays as the most awarded civil building assembly among all the Shanxi compounds by its elaborate sculptures, wooden decorated archways, brick sculpted walls and many other art forms.

Since 2001, Chang’s Manor has been commercialized for tourism purpose. Many “interesting stories” have been made up while lots of facts which are the real “people’s history” were left out and may be lost forever. This is also a common problem within many heritages which have been transformed into tourist attractions in China. And this arouses my research interests.

In this dissertation, I would like to seek and tell the “true stories” from 1949 to 2001 in accordance with my conversation with the original habitants who have had real life experience of the original places. Surely, I will identify the real social value of Chang’s Manor through the interpretation of the true stories from local people.