Wufeng Lin Family Garden Lin Hsien-tang Museum Area Introduction
Lin Hsien-Tang Museum is dedicated to Mr. Lin Hsien-Tang, who possessed the strengths of both traditional and modern intellectuals due to his experiences in an era of changing thoughts. This fusion of characteristics made him one of the greatest figures in Taiwan during the first half of the 20th century. The museum showcases historical documents, ancient manuscripts, original diaries of Lin Hsien-Tang, calligraphy, manuscripts, archives, postcards, and daily necessities, furniture, and important literary works from the early years of the Wufeng Lin family. Walking into this museum to appreciate Taiwan's craftsmanship and exquisite culture is akin to reading a biography of Mr. Lin Hsien-Tang and a splendid three-dimensional history of Taiwan. Lai Garden is considered the foremost among Taiwan's four great famous gardens. After Mr. Lin Wen-Chin passed the imperial examination in 1893, he built the garden to express gratitude to his mother, Lady Luo, for her nurturing support, naming it "Lai Garden" after the story of Lao Lai Zi entertaining his parents in colorful garments. Lai Garden is a beautiful garden nestled by the mountains and water, featuring the national historic site Wugui Pavilion, the Feishang Zuiyue Pavilion, the Xiaoxi Pond, and the Kapok Bridge, which harmoniously combines nature and culture, creating a picturesque landscape known throughout Taiwan. Rongjing Study was built in 1838 as a living space, and in 1887, Lin Wen-Chin transformed it into a private study (commonly known as a "new learning room"). It was named "Rongjing Study" after the story "Under the Hibiscus Mirror" from "Youyang Miscellany." This study was where Lin Hsien-Tang learned traditional Confucianism with his family. The architectural style follows the layout of traditional academies, with a courtyard resembling that of a Confucius Temple, a pond dug in the center, a lecture hall as the main hall, and an elegant pavilion in front, making it the most complete private academy in Taiwan and an important center for Confucian education in central Taiwan at the time. Jingxun Building is the main residence of the Tingcui branch and the former home of Lin Hsien-Tang. The main structure consists of three sections with nine openings, commonly described as "a big house with nine packages and five, three falls with one hundred and two doors," representing a traditional courtyard-style residence. Construction began in 1864 under Lin Dian-Guo, and in 1867, Lin Wen-Feng completed the first section, including the exterior dragon guardians, the main body, and the gate tower of Jingxun Building. In 1883, Lin Wen-Chin completed the second-phase main building and part of the third phase. Later, Lin Hsien-Tang renovated during the Japanese colonial period, adding a grape trellis in front of the main hall and rebuilding the original gate tower to form the scale we see today. The main hall is adorned with movable "Bagua Doors" and "Sihsi" carvings, along with dual-view paintings titled "Eagle Independence," and brackets shaped like "fish leaping over the dragon gate." On both sides of the main hall are large vase doors, symbolizing peace and safety throughout the seasons, showcasing a diverse traditional architectural style. The above information is provided by the Wufeng Lin Family Garden and Lin Hsien-Tang Museum.
