Wufeng Lin Family Garden and Lin Hsien-tang Memorial Hall Introduction
Lin Hsien-Tang Museum is dedicated to Mr. Lin Hsien-Tang, who possessed the qualities of both new and old intellectuals during an era of ideological transition, making him one of the greatest figures in Taiwan in the first half of the 20th century. The museum displays relevant historical documents, ancient manuscripts, original diaries of Lin Hsien-Tang, calligraphy, manuscripts, archives, postcards, and everyday items, furniture, and important literary works and paintings used by the Wufeng Lin Family in its early years. Entering this museum allows visitors to appreciate Taiwan's handcrafted arts and exquisite culture, akin to reading a biography of Mr. Lin Hsien-Tang and a vivid, rich narrative of Taiwan's history. Lai Garden, recognized as the foremost among Taiwan's four famous gardens, is the back garden of the Wufeng Lin Family. In 1893, after Mr. Lin Wen-Chin passed the imperial examination, he built the garden in gratitude for the nurturing provided by his mother, Lady Luo, to ensure her comfort in her later years, naming it "Lai Garden" after the story of Lao Lai Zi who dressed colorfully to entertain his aged parents. Lai Garden is a beautiful forest garden situated by the mountains and water, skillfully integrating natural and cultural elements with its scenic spots, such as the national historic site Wugui Building, Feishang Zuiyue Pavilion, Xiaoxi Pond, and Cotton Tree Bridge, making it a renowned scenic spot across Taiwan. Rongjing Study was established in 1838 as a residence and was remodeled in 1887 by Lin Wen-Chin into a private study (commonly known as "new learning room"), named "Rongjing Study" after the tale of "Jiangxia Temple" in "Youyang Zazu." This was where Lin Hsien-Tang and his family learned traditional Confucian scholarship from a young age. The architectural style follows that of a traditional educational institution, with a front courtyard resembling that of a Confucian temple, a pond dug for reflection, a main hall used for lectures, and an elegant pavilion in front, making it one of the most complete private academies in Taiwan and a significant center for Han studies in central Taiwan at that time. Jingxun Building is the main residence of the Dingcuo clan and the former home of Lin Hsien-Tang. The main structure consists of three courtyards with nine openings, commonly referred to as "the big house with nine packages and five, three falls with a hundred two gates," following the traditional compound layout. Construction began in 1864 under Lin Dian-Guo, with Lin Wen-Feng completing the first section and its outer protective dragons in 1867, and Lin Wen-Chin finishing the main structure of the second section in 1883. Later, during the Japanese occupation, Lin Hsien-Tang renovated the building, adding grape trellises in front of the main hall and reconstructing the original gate tower, resulting in the scale we see today. The main hall's rafters feature movable "Bagua doors," "Four Happiness" carvings, a two-section "Eagle Independence" double-view painting, and bracket sets shaped like "fish leaping over the dragon gate." Large vase doors are found on both sides of the main hall, symbolizing peace throughout the seasons, encapsulating the essence of traditional architecture. This information is provided by the Wufeng Lin Family Garden Lin Hsien-Tang Museum.
