During the reconstruction of the Yongfu Elementary School (永福國小) in Tainan City’s West Central District, relics of Qing-era Taiwan Military Circuit (台灣兵備道) were discovered, prompting the Tainan City Government to organize exhibits on school history, relics and feature for 2022 as part of reconstruction of historical scenes and cultural heritage preservation.
Tainan Municipal Administration of Culture Heritage (TMACH) pointed out on August 24 that during the reconstruction of the old school building of Yongfu Elementary School, suspected Qing dynasty relics were discovered. Based on site investigation and matching records, it was confirmed that they were relics of the Qing-era Taiwan Military Circuit.
According to records, in the Japanese rule, this place was used as branch office of Tainan Civil Administration, Tainan governor's office, among others. After WWII, Yongfu Elementary School was moved to the location, and became its present form. It was later designated as the special municipality’s historical site containing remains of Qing-era Taiwan Military Circuit.
TMACH pointed out that the Taiwan Military Circuit during the Qing Dynasty was an important authority at that time, bearing witness to the 400-year history of Tainan’s development. The city government has incorporated the Taiwan Military Circuit exhibition project and education promotion into the "Tainan 400 Years- Reconstruction of Historical Scenes Project (台南400年─文化資產場域再現計畫)" with a total funding of NT$16.28 million. It is scheduled to carry out cultural relics after the completion of the reconstruction of the Yongfu Elementary School early next year, followed by the display of artifacts and school history.
TMACH and Yongfu Elementary School have coordinated many times to alter the engineering design of the school building in preserving the relics. Moreover, it has organized two exhibit areas for relics and remains to serve as an exemplary space for schools and historical remains.
This site will show the historical trajectory of the place over the past 300 years through unearthed structures and artifacts from the Qing and Japanese eras such as porcelain and alarm clocks that were melted by US bombings, among others.
(Photo courtesy of Tainan Municipal Administration of Culture Heritage)