Wenshan Citizens' Hall

Setting up the hall took a long and difficult process. It began with a coordination meeting on the proposed site in May 1999, followed by 'local leaders' workshops', public hearings and overall planning meetings in which community planners, civic group representatives, the school, parents and residents took part, until a consensus on its renovation and use was reached. Ground was broken in 2002, and the opening ceremony was held on 19 October. The finely built Japanese-style building of 1927 thus took on a new look, with the task of developing the district's local history and industries and bringing residents together as a community. It is an example of reusing idle space. Muzha Elementary School was founded in 1906 as a branch class of Jingwei Public School. Liu Shanming became its second headmaster in 1946. He ran the school strictly, took part in many local public affairs and taught many students, and is remembered with respect by people in Muzha. He retired in 1969 and died in 1982. His wife went on living in the old headmaster's residence, which held most of her life's memories, until her death in 1992, after which the house stood empty. The hall stands directly opposite the Wenshan District administrative centre, next to Muzha Elementary School, with the Jingmei River to the east. The site covers 636 m². Its indoor and outdoor spaces include a service desk, a lecture hall, an outdoor plaza and an outdoor multi-purpose plaza, which can be used for teaching, public art, a 'big tree classroom' and exhibitions. The new wing is a newly built two-storey building showing the district's history, the history of its administration, old photographs and local industries. To enrich cultural life, artists, cultural groups and communities are invited from time to time to hold art exhibitions on its two floors, which are also available for hire. The old wing is the renovated Japanese-style building, used as an open exhibition space and also available for hire by the public and groups for discussions, reading groups and other learning activities.

Translated and shortened by DealTaipei from Taiwan's national tourism database. Sources are on the terms page.