Students have the unique opportunity to explore a traditional Chinese home in the United States. Built midway through the Qing dynasty (1644–1911) in a rural village in China’s Anhui Province, this house was home to the Huang family for more than 200 years. It was moved piece by piece and re-erected at the Peabody Essex Museum over a seven-year period. Whether your students are studying art motifs, Chinese culture or world history, this program is certain to be an unforgettable educational experience.

Grades K–5 Explore the everyday life of a family living in rural Southeastern China by examining household objects, architecture and decorative art.

Grades 6–12 Explore the architecture and symbolic decorative elements of a traditional Chinese home. Learn how economic and political upheavals in China over the last century affected Yin Yu Tang and the Huang family.

Students can preview the house online.

Tours of Yin Yu Tang can be paired with a number of other program options. For hour-long group visits, one half of the group examines the everyday life of a Chinese merchant's family in Yin Yu Tang, while the other half explores the exhibition Double Happiness: Celebration in Chinese Art.

Time: One hour | 50 students maximum

Related Standards
This tour aligns with or supports the following standards:

Common Core ELA – Literacy
Reading (R): Anchor Standards 1, 2, 4, 6, 7
Speaking and Listening (SL): Anchor Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Language (L): Anchor Standard 6

National Core Arts Standards
Visual Arts: Anchor Standards 7, 8, 10, 11

Massachusetts Visual Arts Standards
Grades 2–4: Standard 6.1
Grades 5–8: Standards 6.3, 6.4
Grades 9–12: Standards 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 7.7, 7.10

Massachusetts History and Social Science Standards
Grade 2: Standards 2.1, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9
Grade 4: Standards 4.1, 4.2, 4.7
Grades 8–12: Standards WHI.23, WHI.24, WHII.13, WHII.32, WHII.33, WHII.34

What are some of the important ideas, symbols and designs in art made in China, Japan and India? Students closely examine paintings, sculptures, photographs and objects from everyday life and work collaboratively in in-gallery activities to gain a deeper understanding of artwork from these countries. The tour may include stops in Double Happiness: Celebration in Chinese Art and select works in the Japanese Art, Asian Export Art and South Asian Art galleries.

Time: One hour to 90 minutes | 60 students maximum

Related Standards
This tour aligns with or supports the following standards:

Common Core ELA – Literacy
Reading (R): Anchor Standards 1, 2, 4, 6, 7
Speaking and Listening (SL): Anchor Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Language (L): Anchor Standard 6

National Core Arts Standards
Visual Arts: Anchor Standards 7, 8, 10, 11

Massachusetts Visual Arts Standards
Grades K–4: Standards 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1
Grades 5–8: Standards 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.10, 5.5, 5.6, 6.3, 6.4

Massachusetts History and Social Science Standards
Grade 4: Standards 4.3, 4.7

Students explore personal and cultural identity through a variety of works by artists from around the world. Engaging in dialogue, in-gallery activities and reflection, students examine works of art through lenses of geography, sociopolitical change, nature, literature, personal histories and cultural heritage. Students discover the ever-evolving nature of art and culture by delving deeper into individual artists' innovative perspectives and sources of inspiration.

The tour may include select works from various areas of the museum and/or special exhibitions.

Time: One hour | 50 students maximum