- Old mayor’s residence refurbished into a public library and gallery to promote the City’s history and culture -

- Officially opened after an opening ceremony at 14:00 on May 24…

Doors to stay open between 9:30 and 17:30, but closed on Mondays -

Incheon opened up the old mayor’s residence in Sinheung-dong to the public on May 24.

Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor: Yoo Jeong-bok) announced that it hosted an opening ceremony on the afternoon of May 24 to celebrate the newly refurbished old mayor's residence in Sinheung-dong, which is expected to help the public learn more about the history and culture of the City going forward.

<View of the old mayor’s quarters building>

Located at 10, Dapdong-ro 12beon-gil (19-7, Sinheung-dong 1-ga), Jung-gu, Incheon, the old mayor’s residence in Sinheung-dong is a 3-story (two above ground and one basement level), light gray detached wooden house reinforced with concrete.

The modern-looking building retains the typical architectural structure of a “culture house” popular throughout the 1930s. Built in 1938, the house blends Western architecture and traditional Japanese architecture during the colonial period, and it served as the official residence of the Mayor of Incheon from 1954 to 1966.

The house, which was sold to a private owner in 1977 and used as a family home, was purchased by Incheon in 2020. The City bought back the former mayor’s residence as part of an initiative to preserve buildings of great historical, cultural, and residential value in Incheon, and to use them as cultural venues for local citizens. By doing so, the City is hoping to pass on the heritage, legacy, and values of Incheon to future generations.

The opening ceremony included a pre-ceremony performance (chamber music performance), an opening ceremony, a book donation ceremony, and a small concert (songs released in 1938, including Libertango, Narcissus; performed by vocalists Jeong Su-jin and Jung Jin Sung). An exhibition highlighting the historical value and distinct architecture of the old mayor’s residence in Sinheung-dong also served as part of the ceremony.

The old mayor's residence, which officially opened to the public with the opening ceremony, will be used as a library and gallery for the locals.

The first floor of the building features the “Moraenmal” shelter, a planned exhibition hall, and a special exhibition hall, whereas the second floor will function as a public library. The second floor, in particular, has been restored to its original style with Tatami floor mats.

<Special Exhibition Hall, 1F>

<Tatami Library, 2F>

<Moraenmal Shelter>

The planned exhibition hall on the first floor showcases the history of the old mayor’s residence in Sinheung-dong and changes to its surrounding area from all the way back in the open port era to the present day, and also cartoons popularly circulated during the 1920s and 30s (cartoons that shed light on the society and culture of the times).

Meanwhile, the tatami room on the second floor is not just a simple restoration of the building’s old architectural style. It will serve as a library with historical books and resources donated by the public. The room can also host small-scale lectures and reading groups, and there is a separate children's library, meaning all visitors regardless of age and gender are welcome to enjoy the facilities.

The courtyard, which had fallen into disrepair, has been renovated into a garden (Puldeung Garden) where visitors can immerse themselves in the season’s weather. The outer wall of the garden serves as a gallery for artworks done by some of Incheon’s senior artists.

Lee Haeng-sook, the City's Deputy Mayor for Cultural Welfare and Political Affairs, said, “The old mayor's residence in Sinheung-dong is a modern building of great value that needed preserving. As such, we tried to keep changes to a minimum in order to preserve its historical and cultural value.” She added, “We’ve put a lot of thought into this renovation right from the planning stage, so we hope that the old mayor’s residence can now serve as a place where people can come and relax.”

The old mayor’s residence in Sinheung-dong is open from 9:30 to 17:30 every week (closed on Mondays).