8.3.2 The History of Chen Mian’s Residence
Chen Mian’s residence was built by Chen Xianyi, Chen Mian’s grandfather.Chen Mian was born there in 1859.After Ding Baozhen’ residence and Ma Guohan’ residence was demolished in recent years, Chen Mian residence is now considered to be the only historic personality’s residence of the Qing Dynasty in Jinan.
In that time, the residence was pretty huge.It started in the East from Bianzhi Alley, stretch West to Yundou Alley, to the South extended to General Temple Street, and North through to Shuangzhong Temple Street.There were three main entrances in Bianzhi Alley.According to Chen Mian’s fourth-generation grandsons Chen Jianbang and Chen Jianshuo, taking Bianzhi Alley No.9 and No.11 as the center, each of them had eight courtyards and another four courtyards beside them.In total, the whole residence was composed of twenty elegant Sihe courtyards.[14]Nowadays, the courtyards No.16, 20, 22 and 24 in West Yundou Alley were once part of the Chen Mian residence.In No.16, Chen Mian’s library, a twofloor building, still remains.Courtyard 20 is Chen Mian’s writing room.Most buildings of this residence have been demolished.The only well-preserved two courtyards is located in Bianzhi Alley No.9 and No.11.The prosperity of the residence can be seen from the carved stone and fine wood carved lintel in front of the door.The main entrance is in the typical building style of an official residence in Jinan in Qing Dynasty.It is rare to see this kind of style in Jinan now.In 1883, after Chen Mian won the champion of palace examination, the gold plaque granted by the Emperor was hanging on the entrance gate of No.9 courtyard.After the founding of the People’s Republic, it was destroyed in the Cultural Revolution.[15]
Since the 1950s, Chen Mian’s residence has accommodated many families.The courtyard pattern has been changed, and some precious decoration detail was destroyed.In the 1980s, the South Court was demolished and was replaced by the dormitory buildings.The original front porch has been changed into rooms.The lattice doors and windows have been replaced by brick walls.The small tiles of the original roof have been replaced by large tiles.The eaves have decayed and collapsed, while the weeds on the doorway flourish.Chen Mian’s residence has become a veritable large miscellaneous courtyard (Fig.8-10,8-11).[16]
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Figure 8-10.Chen Mian’s Residence
Figure 8-11.The Condition of the Courtyard in Chen Mian’s Residence