Private museum struggles to survive in Shanghai

Shanghai Memories, a private museum, was set up in 2008 to display household items from the late 1800s through 1980. [Photo/CNTV]

The founder and owner of a private museum filled with antiques from Shanghai is looking for a new home for her collection. The museum called Shanghai Memories was set up seven years ago to display household items from the late 1800s through 1980.

About 1,000 antiques are displayed inside the 200-square-meter museum. Visitors can even pick up and touch the pieces.

The facility was set up by Wang Xiaojia, who has no professional background in museum management. Born in the 1980s, she inherited a large collection of antiques from her family. So she found space in a warehouse and set up her museum.

"Some elderly visitors found the exhibits were just like the things they used when they were young. And these bring back their memories. One visitor held my hands and said I was doing something very valuable. This encourages me to carry on," Wang Xiaojiasaid.

But Wang's lease is about to run out, and the landlord won't renew the contract. So she needs to find a new home for her collection before the end of September.

"Some shopping malls and culture gardens have invited me to move there. But I think those places are too commercial. I want to find a place that is close to our daily life. Visitors will first walk into a lane, then they see this museum and have an experience of time traveling," Wang said.

Wang says any new space will need to have close access to public transport, and at least 200 square meters of room with high ceilings.

Wang has financed the museum's daily operations since it was founded. But she does charge visitors for taking photos and having afternoon tea, which covers some of the costs.