This was the most ambitious project ever undertaken by the museum. The exhibit covered a 50-year period from 1880 to 1930, and explored culture and quotidian life through these turbulent years. Various western powers, as well as Russia and Japan aggressively invaded China at that time. Internally, China was undergoing a revolutionary movement to overthrow the Ch'ing dynasty. Containing 100 photographs, 40 artifacts, and 12 documents, the exhibit recorded the end of the Ch'ing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic. Two previews were held, beginning on the 5th of February, for city officials, donors to the museum, and members of the Chinese Historical Society. Then the exhibit opened to the public, in conjunction with the Chinese New Year Food and Culture Faire of the Asian Pacific Historic District.