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Former Magistrate of Changhua County—Ms. Chin-chu Weng

        With the change of industrial structure, Fuxing Silo walked into history. After years of neglect, the Farmers’ Association drew up architectural plans and decided to demolish the Silo and replace it with bigger buildings. The magistrate of the time Ms. Chin-chu Weng heard of the news and felt that the silo is a rare architecture in Taiwan and should be conserved. Therefore, the Changhua County Government negotiated the matter with the Fuxing Township Farmers’ Association for over two years. Finally, the Farmers’ Association agreed to hand the silo over to the Cultural Affairs Bureau for the purpose of restoring it as a historical building. Apart from the Fuxing Silo, the Changhua County’s Railway Round House which also faced the fate of being demolished was saved by Ms. Weng during her tenure as Magistrate of Changhua County.

Ms. Chin-chu Weng

 
Hand drawing of Fuxing Silo by Ms. Chin-chu Weng

[Reason for the Interview]
        One day, Yan-shao’s father was bored and was playing with his phone. He looked up his Facebook updates and suddenly a post of a hand sketch of Fuxing Silo from one of his good friend Ms. Weng popped in sight. Yan-shao’s father knowing that his son had been collecting information on Fuxing Silo for the Cyberfair project, suggested the Grain Head Team to interview Ms. Weng who was the Changhua County Magistrate at the time. This was how we came to interview Ms. Weng.

[Interview]
Date: 2014.01.21
Interviewers: Tze-yang, Hsin Hu, Huai-min, Su-tian, Tze-an, Chi-yan
Interviewee: Former Magistrate of Changhua County, Ms. Chin-chu Weng

1. What was the drive that made you insist on conserving Fuxing Silo?
A: Changhua County is a major Farmers’ Association post and the lives of the majority of the Fuxing Township people depend on the agriculture industry. Therefore, in the past the silo and the locals developed an inseparable relationship.  Fuxing Silo is a witness to the evolution of Taiwan’s industrial history and its unique architecture especially the dormer window are the reasons which urged the Changhua County government to fight for its registration as a historical heritage and not be demolished. There were once four silos in Changhua County located in Changhua City, Fuxing, Yongjing, and Tianzhong. However, Fuxing silo was the only one remaining at the time. After years of wear and tear and lack of maintenance, the once restored Fuxing Silo can be marked as a significant landmark and important witness to the history of Changhua County’s agricultural development.

2. Can you describe the process of restoring Fuxing Silo?
A: The whole negotiating process took over two years. In the beginning due to problem with the proprietorship of the Silo, the Farmers’ Association over threw the notion. However, with the solution of the Farmers’ Association gaining proprietorship of the Silo and the County government paying a lease to management it, the Farmers’ Association finally agreed to hand over the silo to the Changhua County Cultural Affairs Bureau to restore as a historical building.

3. Which part of Fuxing Silo were you most impressed?
A: The design of Fuxing Silo was a great innovation of its time which smartly included silo, rice milling machine and rice storage into one full-fledged manufacturing facility. Its unique architecture was the result of the wisdoms of our ancestors and it also fulfilled the modern concept of a green building. In a time with limited technology our ancestors were able to come up with a complete rice storage plan which took care of the problem of bad air circulation, humidity and vermin infestation. We can’t but respect the wisdoms of our ancestors. What impressed me most were special architectures such as the three storage rice milling machine, dormer window and the hinoki made silos. As I remembered the machineries were idle but still functional. Therefore, we had them repaired so the visitors will be able to see the actual rice milling process.

4. What influence you think the restoration of Fuxing Silo has on the locals?
 A: In the cultural and tourism perspective, I think it would have the following effect:
 (1)  It acted as a witness to the history of rice culture and agriculture industry.
 (2)  Demonstrated the value of repurposing unused space.
 (3)  Incorporated the crafts of Lukang and tourism industry hence brings about the development of Fuxing district.

5. Beside collaborating the characteristics of the local specialties, what else can be done?
A: The development of local specialty should aim toward the direction of diversity. It should relate to the marketing scheme of young people and should not consist of only static exhibitions. In fact, more creative and fun events should be incorporated into the plan.

6. What are Fuxing Silo’s future prospects?
A: Aside from Fuxing Silo’s unique architecture, its greatest function is to educate people on the history of Taiwan’s agricultural development. Therefore, the government should plan accordingly.

[Afterthoughts]
        On the day of the interview there was a cold front, but nonetheless we were so nervous that we squeezed a few drops of sweat. We thought the former Magistrate and member of the Legislative Yuan Ms. Weng would be stern like she was in the Legislative Yuan, but to our surprise she  was very kind in person. Although our interview was unprofessional and had lots of mistakes Ms. Weng was patient in answering our questions.  Ms. Weng who was a former teacher explained to us the conservation process of Fuxing silo with great detail. We learned a valuable lesson. Finally, Ms. Weng told us with sincerity that Fuxing Silo is a rare architecture in Taiwan. There are very few in existence now. Hopefully the government would treasure and protect it, because if it is left in ruin there won’t be any more to be found in Taiwan.
 

A valuable lesson for Gain Head Team	Mothers of the Gain Head Team members enjoying taking photos with Ms. Weng