When someone first suggested visiting a “merchant house” I wasn’t exactly jumping up and down with anticipation. Really, what could be so interesting to see in a place where business was conducted? Dragging my feet, I went anyway because it was close by, and we had nothing else to do. Upon seeing the place, I was pleasantly surprised, and glad I went.
The Tait and Co. old merchant house is situated right beside the Anping tree house in Tainan. This building was built in 1867 and has served many functions over the years – the current one being a museum of early Taiwanese life and life with the Dutch.
When they first set up shop (1867), Tait and Co. dealt in tea, camphor and opium. Yes – legal drug dealers. Business was booming, until the arrival of the Japanese in 1895. At this point, the Japanese took control of the opium and camphor, leaving only the tea. Profits fell, and good times dwindled. Then in 1911 all the foreign traders were given the boot out of Taiwan, and the Tait and Co. building was converted into a salt company. Finally, in 1979, it was converted into the museum it is today. Continue reading ‘Tait and Company merchant house, Anping, Tainan’
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