Wufeng Lin Family Mansion and Garden Introduction
The Wufeng Lin Family Mansion and Garden is a collective term for the garden and residential architectural complex located in the Azhao Wu area. It consists of three main parts: the Upper House, the Lower House, and the Lai Garden. The Lai Garden, which is the site of Ming Tai Commercial High School, was built by Lin Wen-chin, a scholar from the Lin family, in honor of his mother. It later became widely known as the Wufeng Lin Family Garden throughout Taiwan. The Lin Family Garden was built during the mid-Qing Dynasty and has undergone significant architectural changes over the years, eventually incorporating a blend of Chinese, western, and mixed styles in some of its later constructions and gardens. Established in 1893, the Wufeng Lin Family Garden suffered severe damage during the 921 Earthquake; however, being a site of historical and cultural importance, the descendants of the Lin family have continually worked to preserve and restore this significant historic residence, hoping to present the historical appearance of the Lin Family Garden once again. Originally, the Lin Family Garden was built by the first-generation owner, Lin Wen-chin, to provide for his mother, Madam Luo, and is currently located in the Lai Garden of Ming Tai High School, serving as a filial piety garden. In its early days, the garden featured twelve scenic spots, with the Five 桂樓 being its most important building. According to research, the Five 桂樓 was first built in 1887, originally called “Bu Chan Pavilion,” and it was a two-story wooden building in the Minnan style with a double-eave roof. The first floor served as a living room, while the second floor was Madam Luo's residence. The second-generation owner, Lin Hsien-tang, played a crucial role in promoting the spirit of the Lai Garden, rebuilding the Five 桂樓 in 1905, creating a fusion of Chinese and Western architectural styles. The first floor was constructed with red bricks in a Baroque-style arch, while the second floor was wooden with a traditional hard hilltop roof, combining elements of Western and Taiwanese design. During the Japanese colonial period, the Five 桂樓 also served as a gathering place for Oak Society poets, a classroom for the "Summer School" within the Cultural Association, and an activity venue for the "Yishin Society" and "Yishin Academy," making it a crucial site for Lin and Taiwan's cultural elite to preserve Chinese culture. The Lin Hsien-tang Memorial Museum was established in 2000 and expanded in 2019 to become the Wufeng Lin Family Garden Lin Hsien-tang Museum. Located within the Wufeng Lin Family Garden - Lai Garden (Ming Tai High School), it currently displays original diaries of Lin Hsien-tang, personal letters, calligraphy and paintings, as well as valuable artifacts such as old photographs and furniture. The history of the Wufeng Lin Family reflects a century of Taiwan's history, and through exhibitions and promotional activities, the public can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural heritage of this important Taiwanese family. After the 921 Earthquake, after ten years of research and perseverance, the Wufeng Lin Family Garden received support and assistance from the Cultural Heritage Administration, enabling the reconstruction of the Five 桂樓 in the Lai Garden. During the reconstruction, traditional master carpenter Lai Qi-lin, sculptor Cao Ren-sheng, and cement craftsman Shi Kun-yi worked together to use precious materials such as Taiwanese millennial cypress and handmade bricks, employing modern technology alongside traditional craftsmanship to restore the Five 桂樓 to its 1905 appearance.
