Hu Shih Memorial Hall Introduction
Hu Shih was a pioneer of liberalism, influenced in his thinking by Huxley and Dewey. He claimed that Huxley taught him how to doubt, while Mr. Dewey taught him how to think. Throughout his life, he advocated for the academic methods of "bold hypotheses and careful verification" and "every assertion must have evidence." He held positions such as 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, where he served as the President of the Academia Sinica during his later years in Taiwan (1958-1962). After Mr. Hu Shih passed away on February 24, 1962, the Academia Sinica's Council approved the complete conversion of his residence for use as the Hu Shih Memorial Hall, and soon the "Hu Shih Memorial Hall Management Committee" was formed. The memorial hall was officially established on December 10 of the same year; in January 1998, it was restructured under the Institute of Modern History. The Hu Shih Memorial Hall consists of three parts: first, the residence in Nangang where Mr. Hu Shih lived during his later years after returning to Taiwan to serve as President of the Academia Sinica (1958-1962), which is now the Hu Shih Former Residence in Taipei. The architecture, corridors, and furnishings of the residence largely maintain the original appearance of his living environment during his lifetime. Second, there is an exhibition room built in 1964 with a donation from C. V. Starr of the American Insurance Company, displaying Mr. Hu Shih's works, manuscripts, photographs, relics, and memorabilia, as well as documentaries about Hu Shih in Taiwan. Third, there is the Hu Shih Cemetery, which was expanded into "Hu Shih Park" in 1974. The park features tiered pathways that lead upward, with winding paths and lush shade, presenting a serene mountainous landscape. Since its opening, both domestic and international visitors have come to admire the cemetery and enjoy the scenic views it offers.
