Yin Yu Tang Student Essay Contest
Yin Yu Tang is a late Qing dynasty merchant's house that was originally located in Huizhou in southeast China. Through a cultural exchange project with Huizhou, the Peabody Essex Museum dismantled and moved the over 200-year old house to Salem, Massachusetts. The house was re-erected at the museum as part of the PEM's transformation and expansion in June 2003.
In celebration of the unique learning opportunities Yin Yu Tang provides, PEM recently launched the Yin Yu Tang Student Essay Contest. Designed for middle and high school students, contestants were required to answer the question "Based on your observations, how would it feel to live in Yin Yu Tang compared with an American house," in 1,500 words or less. Additional criteria included a well-reasoned consideration of the topic, an understanding of Chinese art and culture, effective use of primary and secondary sources, originality, and proper grammar. A panel of judges, which included museum curators, writers, and educators, evaluated entries.
First, second and third place finalists in two age categories were selected from a pool of entries from both middle and high school students in public, independent, and home schools from throughout New England. This year there was a tie for third place in the middle school category.
2007 Results for the Yin Yu Tang Student Essay Contest
The award ceremony for the Yin Yu Tang Student Essay Contest took place in the Chinese house on May 21, 2007. In attendance were Alison Liou, Christine Wu, Lena Champlin, Amelia Andrews-Carter, Alexandra Polak, and Lucas Yee. Photo courtesy of Bruce MacLaren.
Click the titles below to read the winning submissions (PDF format).
Middle School
1st place - Lena Champlin, Greely Middle School, Cumberland, ME
An Outside-In Way of Life
2nd place - Amelia Andrews-Carter, The Hedge School, Groveland, MA
Yin Yu Tang, Through Mao's Eyes
3rd place - Alexandra Polak, Milton Academy, Milton, MA
Two Societies, Ages Apart
3rd place - Christine Wu, The Chinese Language School, Lexington, MA
Imagine theYin Yu Tang: a Comparison between a Qing Dynasty Chinese Home and a Modern-Day American House
High School
1st place - Lucas Yee, Belmont High School, Belmont, MA
The House of Many Faces
2nd place - Alison Liou, The Chinese Language School, Lexington, MA
Yin Yu Tang: A Cultural Ambassador
3rd place - Holly Beaulac, Gorham Middle/High School, Gorham, NH
Yin Yu Tang House Comparison
2007-08 Yin Yu Tang Student Essay Contest
The Peabody Essex Museum will hold another Yin Yu Tang Student Essay contest during the 2007-2008 school year. For more information about how your child or classroom can be involved, contact school_services@pem.org.
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