MacKay Memorial Hospital Introduction
In 1872, Canadian Presbyterian missionary Dr. George Mackay arrived in Tamsui, beginning his missionary journey in Taiwan. The Mackay Memorial Museum is the former residence of Dr. Mackay during his time in Taiwan, which he personally designed and supervised the construction of in 1875 using materials from Xiamen. This Spanish-style plaster building was constructed to suit the humid and rainy climate of northern Taiwan. Dr. Mackay married and had children here, spending countless seasons with his Taiwanese wife, Tsang Tsung-Ming, until his death in 1901. The Mackay Memorial Museum is not only Dr. Mackay's residence in Taiwan but also a base for his missionary, medical, and educational work. It has nurtured numerous talents in the fields of education and medicine in Taiwan, and the third Governor-General of Taiwan, Kodama Gentarō, even visited the site. During World War II, it was renamed "Anlialiao," providing accommodation and recuperation for women who had lost their families. After 1965, it was temporarily used as a faculty dormitory and office for Chuanli University. To commemorate Dr. Mackay’s motto “I would rather burn out than rust out,” which reflects his lifelong spirit, the Mackay Memorial Museum showcases his experiences. From the residence, one can see Guanyin Mountain and the Tamsui River, while also appreciating Dr. Mackay's contributions to missionary work, education, and healthcare in Taiwan.
