Gwanghwamun Lunchtime Stroll: Encountering the Donated Artifacts Special Exhibition at the Seoul Museum of History
A Secret Exhibition Beneath Gwanghwamun Plaza?
If you want to enjoy a walk indoors due to the cold weather this winter, I recommend the Donated Artifacts Special Exhibition: My Treasures, My Heritage located in the Seoul Museum of History. This is a fulfilling space where you can experience history and culture within a short amount of time. The exhibition is centered around artifacts donated by citizens and organizations, and it doesn't simply display objects. It also introduces the stories behind each artifact and the historical context, which resonated deeply with visitors.
The exhibition is held in the Planning Exhibition Hall on the first floor of the Seoul Museum of History until March 16, 2025, and it is free to enter, making it a good place to visit without any pressure. It was a fulfilling space where you could experience history and culture within a short amount of time during your lunch break.
Introduction to the Exhibition Sections
This exhibition is largely divided into two sections. Each section is centered on artifacts from the traditional era and modern times, containing stories from different eras.
- Artifacts of the Traditional Era: This section consists of items that show the traditional culture that has been passed down since the Joseon Dynasty. For example, everyday items such as traditional brassware sets were valuable resources that allowed me to glimpse the lifestyle of that time. Also, historical artifacts with high value, such as the tombstone of Lady Suk-ui Na , are also on display.
- Modern Artifacts: This section includes items reflecting modern history, such as radios, early computers, and children's toys, that show the process of industrialization and urbanization. In particular, the Robot Taekwon V posters and toys symbolizing popular culture from the 1970s and 80s evoked memories for many visitors.
Eye-Catching Exhibits
I was able to encounter various interesting artifacts in the exhibition hall. Here are some of the exhibits that left a lasting impression:
- Radios and Fans: These are the first radios and fans designed by an engineer at Geumseongsa (now LG Electronics). The donor said that she donated them at the suggestion of her daughter, who wanted to leave her father's first works at a museum.
- Early Computers: These are computers that children used during elementary school, and they were donated to show the stages of development of science and technology.
- Brassware set: These are brass bowls used in traditional Korean homes, and they felt even more special because they had the marks of time on them.
- Robot Taekwon V posters and toys: These are materials that evoke memories of childhood in the 1970s and 80s, and they offered a glimpse into the trends of popular culture of the time.
Special Experiences and Meaning
This exhibition was more meaningful because it not only showed artifacts but also the stories behind them and their historical context. In particular, I was able to learn about how each artifact came to be at the museum through the stories of the donors, and this gave me a feeling beyond simply viewing the exhibits.
For example, one donor left the story, "During the 6.25 war, my grandfather wrapped each letter in oil paper and took it with him while fleeing," and through this, I felt that artifacts were more than just objects and contained the memories of family and history.
What I Felt
While viewing this exhibition, I thought that the items I am using now could also become important historical sources for future generations. Although they are everyday objects now, they will contain history and stories as time passes. So, I promised myself that I would handle my belongings more carefully and use them cleanly in the future.
Also, this exhibition, which blended the modern and traditional, was not just about looking back at the past; it was an opportunity to think about the present and the future.
In Conclusion...
The Donated Artifacts Special Exhibition: My Treasures, My Heritage at the Seoul Museum of History was a fulfilling space, structured efficiently enough to be viewed fully within a short lunch break. The fact that admission was free was a major plus, and I highly recommend it to those who want to learn about history and culture near Gwanghwamun.
Be sure to stop by before this winter ends! I hope you all create unforgettable experiences at the Seoul Museum of History.
