The former site of Nanjing Agricultural College was selected into the fifth batch of Nanjing cultural relics protection units

Release time: 2023-09-26

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Article author: Gao Jun

Recently, the Nanjing Municipal Government announced the fifth batch of municipal cultural relics protection units (Ning Zhengfa [2023] No. 98), and the former site of Nanjing Agricultural College is among them. Also selected in the same batch is the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge.

At present, the remaining buildings on the former site of Nanjing Agricultural University consist of the main building of Nanjing Agricultural University, the Chinese Agricultural Civilization Museum and the first, second and third student dormitories. These buildings were designed by the famous architect Mr. Yang Tingbao. Among them, the most iconic building is the main building of Nanjing Agricultural University, completed in 1954. The building was announced as an important modern building in Nanjing by the Nanjing Municipal Government in 2009, and was selected into the sixth batch of China's 20th Century Architectural Heritage List in 2022. The design of the main building is adapted to local conditions and has a unique style. It adopts three elevations and breaks the consistent symmetrical structure of traditional classical architecture. When viewed from the air, it looks like a soaring fighter plane; the entrance is equipped with a door bucket, with a five-bay archway above, a green glazed tile roof, and an exterior wall. Built with blue bricks and clear water, it looks heavy and solemn. The two majestic stone lions in front of the door complement the main building.

The former site of Nanjing Agricultural College is located in Weigang, Zhongshan Gate, Nanjing, covering an area of800 acres. It was also the site of the school farm for the survivors of the National Revolutionary Army. Starting from the campus planning in 1953, the old site has gone through 70 years of ups and downs, witnessing the changes and development of China's higher agricultural education, as well as the growth and expansion of Nanjing Agricultural University.

In addition, among the fifth batch of cultural relics protection units in Nanjing, visiting the tombs of ancestors is also closely related to Nanjing Agricultural University. Guo Tanxian was the first returned member of the Chinese Science Society and one of the main founders of the Chinese Agricultural Society. He made pioneering contributions to Chinese agricultural science and agricultural education. He is also the only agriculturist who has held important leadership positions in the main origins of Nanjing Agricultural University.

This selection fully demonstrates the outstanding achievements of Nannong people in protecting historical and cultural relics, and further consolidates the foundation of our school’s work of preserving history, informing people, and educating people. In the future, Nanjing Agricultural University will thoroughly implement the new era cultural relics work policy of "protection first, strengthen management, explore value, effectively utilize, and make cultural relics come alive", and cherish this campus with heritage, culture and warmth.

(Author: Gao Jun Proofreading: Dong Jia Review: Li Xinquan)