Linnei Township administration plans to revitalize its tobacco-producing legacy through an innovative restoration program aimed at preserving the uniqueness of 13 historic manufacturing facilities.
Township head Chiu Shi-wen said the tobacco houses, which are mainly located in Linbei community, once played an important role in the community’s tobacco industry.
But as the industry went into decline, the structures were neglected and fell into disrepair.
“Many of the tobacco houses are experiencing different fates,” Chiu said. “Some are quietly going to pieces, while others have become storage buildings for farm families.”
A recent survey reveals that Linbei has the highest density of tobacco houses in the area, with more than 20. At the height of tobacco production, this number stood at over 60.
According to Chiu, a number of years ago, Linbei community renovated a disused tobacco house, repurposing it as a digital community hall. It also showcased early agricultural implements and items of daily use from the past.
“We would like to preserve other tobacco houses as well,” Chiu said. “In the future, some of these structures will house a Hakka cultural museum and a hall honoring well-known figures from Linnei.”
“It is hoped that breathing new life into these historic structures will also lend support to the preservation of the unique culture they represent,” he added.
(This article originally appeared in The Liberty Times March 15.)