Wufeng Lin Family Historical House and Garden Introduction
Wufeng Lin Family Mansion and Garden is a collective term for the garden and mansion architecture located in Azhaowu. It consists of three main parts: the Upper House, the Lower House, and Lai Garden. The Lai Garden, where Ming Tai Commercial School is located, was built by Lin Wen-chin, a scholar of the Lin family, to honor his mother. It later became widely known as the Wufeng Lin Family Garden throughout Taiwan. The Lin Family Garden has been constructed since the mid-Qing Dynasty and has undergone many changes over the years, with significant variations in architectural styles. In later periods, some new buildings and gardens emerged, showcasing a blend of Chinese, Western, and Japanese styles. Established in 1893, the Taichung Wufeng Lin Family Garden was nearly completely destroyed in the 921 earthquake. However, due to its historical and cultural significance, the descendants of the Lin family have continuously strived to preserve its vital heritage and restore the historical appearance of the Lin Family Garden. Originally, the garden was built by the first owner, Lin Wen-chin, to care for his mother, Lady Luo. The Lai Garden, which is now located at Ming Tai High School, serves as a place to honor filial piety, originally featuring twelve scenic spots. The Wu Gui Lou (Five桂楼) is its most important building. Historical research indicates that Wu Gui Lou was first constructed in 1887 and was initially called the "Bu Chan Pavilion." It is a two-story wooden building in the Minnan-style with a gable roof; the first floor serves as a living room, while the second floor is Lady Luo's living quarters. The Lin family's second-generation owner, Lin Hsien-tang, was instrumental in promoting the spirit of Lai Garden. In 1905, he renovated Wu Gui Lou, transforming it into a building with a blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles. The first floor is made of red bricks with Baroque-style arches, while the second floor is a wooden structure with a traditional hard-mountain-style roof, incorporating both Western and Taiwanese elements. During the Japanese occupation, Wu Gui Lou became a gathering place for poets of the Li Society, a classroom for the "Summer School" of the Cultural Association, and a site for the activities of the "Yi Xin Society" and "Yi Xin Academy," making it a cultural hub for Taiwanese elites to preserve Han culture. The Lin Hsien-tang Memorial Museum was established in 2000 and expanded to the Wufeng Lin Family Garden Lin Hsien-tang Museum in 2019. The museum is located within the Wufeng Lin Family Garden - Lai Garden (Ming Tai High School) and currently showcases authentic diaries of Lin Hsien-tang, personal letters, calligraphy, early photographs, furniture, clothing, and other valuable artifacts. The history of the Wufeng Lin family is a microcosm of a century of Taiwan's history, and through exhibitions and promotional activities, the public can gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural heritage of this important Taiwanese family. After the 921 earthquake, through ten years of dedicated research and efforts, the Wufeng Lin Family Garden received support from the Cultural Heritage Administration to rebuild Wu Gui Lou in Lai Garden. During the reconstruction, traditional craftsmen, including master carpenter Lai Qi-lin and sculptor Cao Ren-sheng, as well as cement worker Shi Kun-yi, were hired to collaborate, using precious materials such as Taiwan's millennium cypress wood and handmade bricks, blending modern technology with traditional craftsmanship to restore Wu Gui Lou to its 1905 appearance.
