The traditional settlement of Ancestral Hall is an important carrier of Chinese culture. Protecting and activating traditional settlements is essential for enhancing cultural memory and national self-con dence. Huizhou Ancestral Hall was selected as an example for this study to interpret its protection and development methods.. Through analyzing the status of its protection and development, this research introduces the four protection methods and corresponding development status, including those not included in the protection system, those in the protection mode of “formalin”, those in the mode of off-site protection and those needs to be update based on protection. This paper reflects on the existing theoretical problems and the real dilemmas that need to be solved. Based on this, this paper proposes that the protection and development of traditional settlement cultural memory should focus on responding positively to the transforming of the architectural space function and the cohesion of cultural cores. It not only activates the genetic vitality of the settlement Ancestral culture, but also provides a reference for the growth of transformation and development and effective solutions to the problems of agriculture, rural areas and farmers. The research results of this paper can improve the capacity of traditional settlements to play the role of promoting development of local economic development, ecological civilization, cultural prosperity, employment and bene ting the people. Also, the results provide theoretical and practical reference for guiding the protection and sustainable development of traditional settlement.