[1] In the early Ming dynasty, the hall was originally used as the residence of the heir apparent.

[2] However, starting in 1536, Ming emperors began to use the building as a secondary hall.

[1] During both the Ming and Qing dynasty, the hall hosted grand imperial lectures on Confucian classics and served as a place for the emperor to meet his scholars and officials.

[3] The hall gave its name to one of the seven different titles of grand secretary in late-imperial China.

Becoming Grand Secretary of Wenhua Hall was considered to be an especially prestigious honour for high-ranking mandarins.