Little White House (New Taipei City Tamsui Historical Museum) Introduction
The "Former Qing Tamsui Customs Director's Residence," also known as "Little White House," was built in 1862 and has a history of over a century. Its name derives from its striking Spanish-style white architecture. Located at a height in the area formerly known as "Pao Tai Pu," it is the second highest hill overlooking the Tamsui River estuary. In the 1860s, when Tamsui opened for trade, this area became the primary residence and business region for foreigners in Tamsui, leading to the construction of many exotic-style buildings, among which the Little White House is one, characterized by colonial-style architecture. Features of colonial architecture include elevated foundations, surrounding verandahs, large doors and windows, and chimneys. Locals often name Western-style buildings based on their exterior colors; since the Former Qing Tamsui Customs Director's Residence is painted white both inside and out, it was affectionately nicknamed "Little White House" by the locals. When visiting the Little White House, one must see the neatly arranged "semi-circular archways." When the sunlight shines down, the white building looks even more pristine and elegant. This simplistic Spanish chalk verandah-style architecture is extremely popular with photographers and is a favorite choice for wedding photography. From the viewpoint in the garden, visitors can overlook the beautiful scenery of the Tamsui River, while the interior showcases the history of the residence and past photographs of the Tamsui area. The overall structure is predominantly white, paired with an orange roof, making it particularly striking against the blue sky, enhanced by the arched verandah design that adds a touch of romantic charm.
