Summary

History

The main office building was completed before Nagashima Aisei-en opened, and it was used from 1930 to 1996. The land occupied by staff and patients or survivors was strictly divided until mid-1955, and therefore residents were not allowed to enter the main office building because it was in the staff area. The main office building has also been used to lead Hansen's disease policy and as a base for the transmission of information.
In 2003, the interior of the main office building was repaired and it reopened as the historical museum of Nagashima Aisei-en. It now plays a role in relating the history of Hansen's Disease and Aisei-en. The historical museum also urges visitors to create an inclusive and welcoming society for all, where there is no prejudice and no discrimination.

  • The Nagashima Aisei-en historical museum is run by a management committee composed of the Residents' Association of Nagashima Aisei-en, and the Sasakawa Health Foundation.
  • When you visit the Aisei-en historical museum, we offer guided tours led by curators to help you gain a greater understanding.
  • In the Nagashima Aisei-en museum, the topics related to Hanse's Disease are separated into two parts. The first floor explains historical and current problems surrounding Hansen's disease, and the second floor relates the feelings of the residents. If it is your first visit and time is limited, we encourage you to spend time on the first floor exhibition rooms.

History

1996
Initial meeting on the renovation of the museum
Aug. 8, 2003
The first part of the Nagashima-Aisei-en historical museum opens
Apr. 20, 2004
The full Nagashima Aisei-en historical museum opens
The special exhibit, “Aisei-en and Religion,” runs.
Feb. 2, 2008
Improvements are made to the exhibition panels on first floor.
Jun. 20, 2008
The second video room on the second floor is opened.
Release of a testimonial video collection of residents called "Messages to you from people affected by Hansen's Disease."
Jun. 22, 2009 to May 5, 2010
The special exhibit, "Children of Nozomigaoka" opens. (Nozomigaoka is the area where children affected by Hansen's disease lived in Nagashima)
Apr. 1, 2010
Temporary transfer from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.
May 8, 2010 to Jun. 30, 2010
A second special exhibit, "Memories of the Niirada Youth" opens. (Niirada was the name of the high school on Nagashima)
May.08.2010
A third special exhibit, "Stories from Islands all Over the World" opens. (Organized by the Hansen's Disease Association for the People)
May.09.2010
An addition is made to the Niirada exhibit, - Memories of the Youth -
Oct.27. 2010
An international symposium on Hansen's disease was held here
Nov. 10, 2013
A symposium, "Hansen's disease weaves together colors all over the world" was held in Ethiopia and Japan.
Dec. 4, 2013
A special exhibit, "Connecting with residents in Aisei-en Through Mieko Kamiya's eyes" is held
Jan. 11, 2014
A conference is held to celebrate the 100th birthday of Mieko Kamiya
Nov. 22, 2014
An open study meeting is held to consider the registration of this Hansen's disease sanatorium as a World Heritage Site
2017年5月
A special exhibit, 「十坪住宅をめぐる視線」
2018年11月
A special exhibit, 「長島に架かる情景」
2019年3月
歴史館他4棟が国の登録有形文化財に登録
2022年7月
A special exhibit, 「いのちの翼~盲人会青い鳥楽団のかがやき~」
2022年10月
A special exhibit, 「蘇るハンセン秒患者とその家族~木村仙太郎の生存記録~」
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