The Old Tait & Co. Merchant House, a municipal historic site in Tainan City, unveiled its new permanent exhibition on April 4. Following a year of meticulous restoration and exhibition preparation, the Merchant House presents Anping 1865: Arrival of Foreign Merchants - A Retrospective on Anping’s Golden Age of Trade, an exhibition with four main areas: “Trading in Anping”, “Living in Anping”, “Setting up Merchant Houses”, and “Through the Eras”. The exhibition displays the evolution of Anping as a trading port while exploring the socializing culture and trade operation dynamics at the merchant house.
Mayor Huang Wei-che emphasized Tainan City’s significant historical role in connecting Taiwan to the global stage, with Anping serving as a key hub for international interactions. The Tait & Co. Merchant House, a landmark of both historical and architectural importance, was an indispensable base for international trade in the 19th century. The site carries the record of Tainan’s linkage with the world and bears witness to the rich history of Taiwan’s tea, sugar, and camphor industries. The mayor intends to keep Tainan in the global conversation by preserving historical sites and fostering cultural innovation. To provide a high-quality cultural experience and a fresh perspective to the public, the city is transforming these historical sites into platforms that connect the past and the future.
The Tait & Co. Merchant House, established by British merchants in 1865 following the opening of Anping Port, stands as a testament to Tainan’s prominence as a global trading hub in the 19th century, according to the Cultural Affairs Bureau. As one of Anping’s five major merchant houses of the era, it symbolizes the city’s golden age of trade and serves as a historical marker of international exchange. Visitors can also explore nearby attractions such as the Sio House (Salt Museum) and the Historic Julius Mannich & Co. Merchant House, both showcasing classic merchant house architecture. These sites aim to immerse visitors in Tainan’s rich history and culture, offering experiences that transcend time and space.