Recently, the Jiangsu Provincial Archives Bureau and the Provincial Archives announced the first batch of 32 archival documents selected for inclusion in the “Jiangsu 

Archives Documentary Heritage List.” The “Southeast University Historical Architecture Archives,” submitted by the Southeast University Archives, was successfully selected.

The “Southeast University Historical Architecture Archives” systematically and comprehensively records the planning, design, construction, and expansion processes of the 

core campus buildings during three significant historical periods: Nanjing Higher Normal School, National Southeast University, and National Central University. The archives 

cover nine landmark historical buildings, including the Industrial Practice Workshop, Mengfang Library (currently the Old Library), Gymnasium, Science Hall (currently 

Chien-Shiung Wu Hall), Biology Hall (currently Zhongda Hall), the Grand Auditorium, and the South Gate, among others. The collection contains 48 volumes of archival 

materials, including architectural design sketches, blueprints, engineering documents, letters, and physical items. The earliest documents date back to 1918, from the Nanjing 

Higher Normal School period, and include campus plans that clearly show the functional zoning of the campus, reflecting the efforts of educators to explore the paradigm of 

modern university planning. One of the most valuable items in the archives is the manuscript of Yang Tingbao, a master of Chinese architectural education and a pioneer in 

modern Chinese compositional logic. His manuscript, exquisitely designed and detailed, presents his unique design philosophy and architectural logic.

The “Southeast University Historical Architecture Archives” is one of the few original records in China that is both early in origin and highly corroborative in terms of visual and 

textual evidence. Its relatively complete catalog system presents the evolution of the university campus from its early stages to its eventual completion. The archives are 

considered invaluable primary sources for the study of the history of Chinese higher education, architectural history, and urban development. They hold significant historical, 

artistic, and academic value.

The selection process for the first batch of the “Jiangsu Archives Documentary Heritage List” was organized by the Jiangsu Provincial Archives Bureau and the Provincial 

Archives. The aim was to implement President Xi Jinping's important directives on strengthening the protection and transmission of cultural heritage, to rescue and preserve

Jiangsu's precious archival documents, and to fully utilize the role of archival heritage in driving economic and social development. The successful inclusion of the “Southeast

University Historical Architecture Archives” not only reflects the provincial archival authorities’ high recognition of the university's archival preservation efforts but also serves 

as a powerful affirmation of the historical value of the university's centennial cultural lineage.

Source: SEU Archive

Translated by: Melody Zhang

Proofread by: Gao Min

Edited by: Li Xinchang