The History of Memorial Hall
To commemorate the national founding father Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s and his unparalleled morality, and revolutionary conducts and to promote Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's doctrine, in 1964 the Republic government began drafting the building of National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, which would not only served to provide a place of remembrance for all to emulate the national founding father, but would also encompassed the functions of cultural and artistic education, leisurely recreation and academic research.
In 1965, then President Chiang Kai Shek personally presided over the foundation laying ceremonies. The open solicitation of architectural drawings began the following year, and renowned architect Wang Da-hung’s design drawings were chosen, but were later modified to reinforce the exterior with elements of Chinese architecture as instructed by the President Chiang. On May 16, 1972, the main construction was completed, and an inaugural ceremony was staged. The majestic, solemn main structure, set against the Chung Shan Park flanked with green flaw and esthetical plumage, not only rose to become a crown jewel in Taipei’s eastern district but also became a brand-new facet for local arts and culture .
Previously under the jurisdiction of the Taipei Municipal Government, the memorial hall was reorganized under the Ministry of Education in July 1986, and merged with the Chung Shan Hall in Yangmingshan. Its name was also changed from “Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Administration Office” to “National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall”. In 2012 due to the reorganization of the ROC Government, National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall came under the Ministry of Culture. When first inaugurated, the memorial hall was primarily used for exhibiting Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary artifacts, as well as hosting some exhibitions and performances. It currently serves as a multifunctional, social educational and cultural center. It houses an internationally renowned national performance hall, expansive elegant and esthetic exhibition venues that measure several thousands of square feet, a projection room with an innovative setup, lecture hall, the Chung Shan lecture hall, professional library with more than 40,000 books, as well as the tranquil and Emerald Pond exhibition/performance area and Chung Shan Park..
The development and promotion of the memorial hall’s activities and events have focusrd on emulating Mr. Chung Shan’s paramount ideology of “Greater Love”, “The World is for All People”, and “The Purpose of Life Is to Serve Others” to foster greater respect and emulation of the national founding father among the general public. The grand vision of National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall has laid an impressive foundation over these years, and excelled during the “Development period” thanks to its enterprising directors and the prospering period, all of which contributed to gimproving the administration of memorial hall with a global and local cultural exchange Furthermore, the hall has moved toward the objectives of practical and prevalent lifetime learning, and professional, practical firmware facilities, in order to integrate the Chung Shan spirit and the traditional culture for reinvigorating and rediscovering the Chinese culture.