The historical exhibition hall of the Qidong Museum. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The historical exhibition hall on the third floor of the Qidong Museum, spanning 1,584 square meters, houses 690 cultural relics, including porcelain, pottery, archives, relics of celebrated figures, currencies, and stone carvings.

The exhibition traces Qidong's historical and cultural evolution from ancient times to the present, highlighting its local customs and cultural legacy.

No visit to the Qidong Museum is complete without witnessing the Qidong County Establishment Stele. Often called the county-level city's "birth certificate", it was written and inscribed by Yuan Xiluo, Qidong's first county chief. The stele records in detail the transition of Qidong from sandy shoals to an independent county.

Several rare artifacts also stand out. Donated by Bao Yunzheng and his son Bao Yong, former family members of the Dasheng No.2 Textile Company, they include a staff directory of the company, a rare "Lunchuanpai" trademark, and a blue employee badge.

According to museum guide Lu Linli, the "Lunchuanpai" trademark appeared only after Qidong was established as a county and is extremely rare. The directory, meanwhile, lists the company's staff at the time, offering valuable clues for further research into industrial history of renowned Chinese entrepreneur Zhang Jian in Qidong.