A Golden Era “Revival” — Taiwan Pineapple Museum

Photo by Chang Chien Cheng-en/ Photo courtesy of Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Kaohsiung City Government

【◎Written by Cai Mi-ci　◎Translation by Lin Yu-ciao　◎Photos by Chang Chien Cheng-en, Huang Jing-wun, Carter　◎Photos courtesy of Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Kaohsiung City Government】

Right next to Taiwan Railway Corp.'s Jiuqutang Station（九曲堂火車站）stands the Taiwan Pineapple Museum（臺灣鳳梨工場）, originally established in 1925 as the Jiuqutang Taifang Chamber of Commerce Pineapple Cannery（九曲堂泰芳商會鳳梨罐詰工場）. It is the only pineapple cannery remaining from the 1895-1945 Japanese occupation.

Photo by Carter

The current site preserves three red-brick Western-style buildings: the Pineapple Industry Exhibition Hall, the Dashu Literature and History Exhibition Hall, and Weng-Lai Hui Hsia, which sells pineapple-based goods and creative products.

(Left) Photo by Huang Jing-wun ; (Right) Photo by Chang Chien Cheng-en/ Photo courtesy of Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Kaohsiung City Government

The exhibit also honors the many unnamed women laborers who once worked here. By carefully hand-peeling and -coring each pineapple, these women not only supported their families, but also formed the backbone of the entire industry. Old photos and tools help bring their silent contributions back into the spotlight.

Photo by Chang Chien Cheng-en/ Photo courtesy of Bureau of Cultural Affairs, Kaohsiung City Government

Taiwan Pineapple Museum official website:

https://pineapple-museum.kcg.gov.tw/home01.aspx?ID=1

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