Beitou Museum

Beitou Museum
北投文物館
Former name	Kazan Hotel
Established	2008
Location	Beitou, Taipei, Taiwan
Coordinates	25°08′17″N 121°30′52″E / 25.13806°N 121.51444°E / 25.13806; 121.51444
Type	museum
Public transit access	Xinbeitou Station
Website	Official website

The Beitou Museum (traditional Chinese: 北投文物館; simplified Chinese: 北投文物馆; pinyin: Běitóu Wénwùguǎn) or sometimes called Taiwan Folk Arts Museum is a museum in Beitou District, Taipei, Taiwan.

History

Empire of Japan

The museum building was originally built in 1921 as Kazan Hotel, the best hot spring hotel during the Japanese rule.^[1] During WWII, the hotel was used by Japanese Kamikaze squadron pilots, and the tatami room on the second floor was where they would have their last meal before the final flight of their lives.

Republic of China

After the handover of Taiwan to the Republic of China (ROC) in 1945, the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs took over the building and converted it into a dormitory. It was then later be given the name Old Moon Manor due to its use as the set for a traditional costume drama. The building was subsequently taken over by the museum founder and the Taiwan Folk Art and Antique House was established there, dedicated to preserving folk relics and aboriginal art from earlier times.^{[citation needed]} The name was later changed to the current name Beitou Museum.

In 1998, the museum building was designated a historic site by the Taipei City Government.^[2] It is one of the largest freestanding wooden structures remaining in Taiwan from the Japanese colonial era. Restoration was made to the building starting 2002 for five years and the building was reopened to the public in 2008.^{[citation needed]}

Exhibitions

Taiwan Folk Art
Taiwan Aboriginal Art
Early Clothing and Textiles of Taiwan^[3]

Transportation

The museum is accessible within walking distance east from Xinbeitou Station of the Taipei Metro.^{[citation needed]}

References

^ "Beitou Museum". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
^ "Beitou Museum". Beitou Museum. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
^ "Enjoying Taiwan Museums" (PDF). Chinese Association of Museums. 6 December 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014.