Constructed in the stately style of early 20th century homes found in the southern part of mainland China’s Fujian province, the three-story structure situated near Miaokou Night Market is the former residence of Hsu Tzi-sang—appointed in 1903 as the first administrator of Keelung during the Japanese colonial era (1895-1945). Hsu was respected for establishing schools and organizing poetry societies.
Over the past six months, the building has undergone several rounds of cleaning at the hands of volunteers from social groups The City of Black Kites, Keelung Youth Front and Misty Rain Keelung. Their efforts have paid dividends with photographers thronging the site in search of authentic architecture shots.
KYF member Chang Chih-hao said he never thought the structure would attract so much attention from photographers. “Uncovering the beauty of Keelung is exactly the goal we are working toward.”
But architect Chen Ching-chung is not surprised at the attention being generated by the building. “At first glance, it seems a typical southern Fujian design, but the huge rectangular windows are solid proof of Western influences in local culture.”
Equally impressed by the house is Chen Te-lin, a section chief with Keelung City Government’s Cultural Affair Bureau.
“Official efforts are being made to further clean the property and place it under KCG management,” he said, adding that approval for the latter is required from at least 50 percent of Hsu’s dozens of descendants living in Taiwan and abroad.
“Suffice it to say, this is definitely a work in progress and one we remain committed to seeing through to the end.” (SSC-JSM)
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