Hu Shih Memorial Hall Introduction
Hu Shih was a pioneer of liberalism, influenced by Huxley and Dewey in his thinking, claiming that Huxley taught him how to doubt and Mr. Dewey taught him how to think. He advocated throughout his life the scholarly methods of "Bold hypotheses, careful verification" and "A statement must be supported by evidence." He served as the ambassador to the United States, president of Peking University, and president of the Academia Sinica. The Hu Shih Memorial Hall was originally his residence in Nangang, Taiwan, where he served as the president of the Academia Sinica during his later years (1958-1962). After Mr. Hu Shih passed away on February 24, 1962, the Academia Sinica council approved that "Mr. Hu Shih's former residence is to be fully used as the Hu Shih Memorial Hall," and soon after, the "Hu Shih Memorial Hall Management Committee" was organized. The Hu Shih Memorial Hall was officially established on December 10 of the same year and was relocated under the Institute of Modern History in January 1998. The Hu Shih Memorial Hall consists of three parts: first, the Nangang residence where Mr. Hu Shih lived during his later years in Taiwan (1958-1962), which is the Taipei Hu Shih former residence. The architecture, corridors, and arrangements of the residence largely retain the original appearance of his living conditions during his lifetime. Second, there is an exhibition room, built with a donation from the C. V. Starr of the U.S. AIG in 1964, showcasing Mr. Hu Shih's works, manuscripts, photographs, relics, and memorabilia, as well as a documentary about Hu Shih in Taiwan. Third, there is Hu Shih's cemetery, which was expanded into "Hu Shih Park" in 1974. The park features winding paths up the hills with lush shade and tranquil mountain scenery. Since its opening, many visitors both domestic and international have come to admire the cemetery while enjoying the unique landscapes along the way.
