Summer vacation is just around the corner, and are parents still wondering where to take the kids? Welcome to the Zhonghe District Farmers' Association Cultural Museum, located on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Liancheng Branch of the Zhonghe District Farmers' Association. The museum displays many early Taiwanese agricultural tools, household items, and toys. With vivid explanations from the museum volunteers, it takes you on a nostalgic journey through time!
The 2nd floor of the Zhonghe District Farmers' Association Cultural Museum is a small exhibition area featuring a “Gods’ Hall,” “Grandma’s Room,” and a “candy store,” among others. By recreating period-appropriate settings, visitors can get a closer feel of life in those times. The 3rd floor houses traditional agricultural tools. In the olden days of rural life, there were no automated modern machines—manual labor was the main source of power. Volunteers explain how these tools were operated, helping visitors understand the hard work of farmers.
The museum is maintained by about 40 volunteers, all members of the Farmers' Association's home economics class or seniors from the Senior University. Many of the collection items are from their childhood memories. Aside from regular maintenance and cleaning, they also open windows and doors regularly to allow ventilation and prevent damage to the exhibits. The Zhonghe District Farmers' Association is committed to preserving these folk artifacts that are gradually disappearing, allowing more people to glimpse the wisdom of life from earlier generations.
Feng Weimin, director of the Zhonghe District Farmers' Association, said that since the museum was established in 2003 (the 92nd year of the Republic of China), the exhibits have been collected from all over Taiwan by the association. It has taken over a decade to reach its current scale. The association actively organizes various exhibitions, and the collection continues to grow richer as more items are added, including tableware, toys, embroidery, and bamboo ware. The hope is that the association will not only be known as a financial and agricultural promotion institution, but also as a gateway for the public to learn about traditional rural life.
The museum is also a popular destination for school field trips. Students are often surprised to find a place nearby where they can learn about traditional rural life. The museum even offers DIY folk artifact printing activities for children. Everyone is welcome to come and visit.
The New Taipei City Government Agriculture Bureau stated that in today’s modern society, many people have forgotten the ways of traditional life. Although the Zhonghe District Farmers' Association is an urban-type association, it remains committed to preserving rural cultural artifacts—an effort that is truly commendable. The bureau also hopes that visitors will gain a deeper understanding of traditional agriculture and rural life through their visits.
Zhonghe District Farmers' Association Cultural Museum opening information? Regular hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Appointment (groups): Available Monday to Friday. Contact number: (02) 2226-9108, ext. Cultural Museum