Jusung Elementary School: A 130-Year Legacy of Modern Cultural Heritage
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- blog.naver.com
Jusung Elementary School, a place rich in modern cultural heritage,
is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year.
Located within the grounds of the school is the Jusung Education Museum,
designated as a modern cultural heritage site in South Korea.
The museum is situated on one side of the spacious schoolyard,
and due to the installation of a canopy corridor in front of the building,
one must view it from a distance to see its full structure.
Although the building is small, its historical significance is immense.
It is the oldest school building remaining in the Chungbuk region,
having been established in 1923 with donations from local dignitaries.
Originally, it served as the auditorium for Cheongju Public Elementary School.
The precursor to Jusung Elementary School was founded on September 17, 1896,
during the reign of King Gojong, using a government building in Cheongju.
The school was renamed Cheongju Public Elementary School in 1907 by Japanese imperialists,
and by 1909, it had 160 students.
The school moved to its current location in 1922,
and the auditorium was built in 1923 with local donations.
The name 'Jusung' was adopted after liberation,
becoming Cheongju Jusung Public National School in 1948,
Jusung National School in 1949, and finally Jusung Elementary School in 1996.
The museum's archives showcase the school before the canopy was installed,
as well as views of the campus from above.
The Musimcheon River flows just beyond the auditorium.
The main entrance of the auditorium features a uniquely shaped roof,
but the canopy obstructs a clear view from various angles.
The structure is not entirely rectangular,
as it has protruding sections at the back.
This modern cultural heritage building is currently utilized as
the Jusung Education Museum.
The museum is open for viewing on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 AM to 3:30 PM.
You can find more details about the museum on the school's website.
In front of the museum stands a statue of Shin Saimdang,
which appears to be quite old.
It is inscribed with phrases like 'a model of a virtuous wife and good mother.'
The statue, located on a high pedestal, has inscriptions in Chinese characters.
Shall we take a look around the school starting from the main gate?
Students are not allowed to enter during school hours,
but they can access the playground after school from 5 PM until sunset.
On weekends and holidays, access is from 5:30 AM until sunset.
Next to the school gate is a 'Yellow Carpet' for student safety.
The Yellow Carpet is painted in bright yellow to enhance visibility at crosswalks.
While typically painted on the walls and ground,
here, only triangular yellow sculptures are placed on the wall.
This historic school has a remarkably spacious campus.
To view the entire teacher's building,
one must go to the far end of the playground.
In front of the teacher's building is a pink sculpture,
with Sejong the Great symbolizing 'creativity' on the left
and Admiral Yi Sun-sin symbolizing loyalty on the right.
The long history of the school is also evident in the stone sculptures scattered throughout.
Additionally, there is a commemorative tree planted during the 100th anniversary in May 1997.
One tree was planted by the then Minister of Education,
and the other by Lim Kwang-soo, President of the Seoul National University Alumni Association.
Lim was a graduate of Jusung Elementary School.
The teacher's building has received an excellent safety rating
and is recognized as an excellent school for cultural and arts education.
Currently, there are 157 students and 20 faculty members.
The school was established on September 17, 1896.
Next to it is the Jusung Kindergarten, surrounded by trees that are decades old.
The playground next to the kindergarten building is a lovely spot.
Beyond the kindergarten is the Jusung Education Museum,
which connects directly to the school's auditorium, Jusung Hall.
In front of Jusung Hall is a stone monument commemorating the 80th anniversary,
erected in 1987, inscribed with the educational motto 'Education First.'
Two rows of tall trees line the path towards the main gate.
Having visited many schools,
it is rare to find an elementary school with so many trees.
The area behind the teacher's building resembles a park more than a school.
Nearby, Cheongju Middle School also has a significant history,
having opened on May 5, 1924, and celebrating over 100 years.
The area around Musimcheon is the heart of Cheongju,
filled with historical sites.
Additionally, Cheongju Station is located just 250 meters from Jusung Elementary School.
The site of the old Cheongju Station is now a park,
with some of the tracks still remaining.
Across from the old station park,
a new Cheongju City Hall is under construction,
set to be completed by October 2028.
As you walk through the heart of Cheongju,
I recommend taking some time to reflect on the history of Jusung Elementary School,
which boasts a rich 130-year legacy.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/cbkb21/224424847641
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