Exchange Database

First Major Chinese Exhibition Opens in United States

After spending 12 years in the China trade, Philadelphia merchant Nathan Dunn returned from China with an enormous collection of art, artifacts, botanical samples, and other items. In 1839 he put them on display in his native city in a “Chinese Museum” that was designed to present the items in as natural a manner as possible, so as to give visitors a picture of life in China.
Outcomes: 
Over 100,000 people visited the exhibit before he moved it to London in 1841.
Contact Info: 
U.S. Department of State
Source: 

https://history.state.gov/countries/issues/china-us-relations

Government?: 
No
Type of Exchange: 
culture
Sponsor(s): 
Nathan Dunn
Participants (Types): 
merchants, museum visitors
Number of Participants: 
100,000
Exchange Date: 
Tuesday, January 1, 1839
Continuing: 
No
Location: 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Polls show Americans and Chinese are becoming less trustful of each other’s country. The Commission assesses the problem and offers recommendations to foster greater U.S.-China collaboration and understanding.

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