The Museum of Suzhou Folk Customs, located
at an ancient residence in Suzhou, is a regional folk custom museum of China.
The building of the Museum, featuring the architectural style of the Qing
Dynasty (1644-1911), is listed as one of the major historical sites under the
protection of Jiangsu Province. It was officially opened to the public in
November 1986 on the occasion of 2,500th anniversary of the founding of Suzhou
City.
The Museum of Suzhou Folk Customs has
collected 2,000 pieces of artifacts but at present only 500 items are on display
in the three exhibition halls, namely, the Matrimony Custom Hall, the Festival
Custom Hall and the Food Custom Hall. The Matrimony Custom Hall is a restoration
of the wedding ceremony of the Han nationality at the end of the Qing Dynasty
around 100 years ago; the Festival Custom Hall reappears the complete insignia
carried in a religious parade at Shantangjie Street, Huqiu (tiger mould) in old
times; and the Food Custom Hall shows the model of a typical kitchen in a Suzhou
residential house.
The museum has compiled and published a
pamphlet entitled Suzhou Folk Customs.