Changyuan Hospital – Lukang Historical Image Museum

The centennial charm of Changyuan Hospital in Lukang, Changhua, stands majestically at the intersection of Zhongshan Road and Minzu Road, near the First Market, having withstood the test of time. This old residence was once the clinic and home of the renowned local physician, Xu Du, and also the starting point from which realist photographer Xu Cangze gazed upon his homeland. This street house, a fusion of old and new, and a blend of Chinese, Japanese, and Western styles, not only reflects the developmental纹理 of the ancient town but also embodies the caliber and integrity of the Xu family. The story began in 1920 when grocer Xu Liang purchased this old house, transforming it into the family's ancestral home, thus initiating the Xu family's century-long guardianship of Lukang's streets. In 1925, Xu Liang's son, Xu Du, returned after completing his studies and established "Changyuan Hospital" in the old house. This not only marked the modernization of medical care in the Lukang area but also showcased the unique characteristic of local clinics at the time, combining medical, residential, and social functions. Xu Du, who graduated first in his class from Taichung Middle School (now Taichung First Senior High School) and was subsequently admitted to the Taiwan Governor-General's Medical College, not only saw patients at Changyuan Hospital but also frequently rode Lukang's first motorcycle through the alleys to provide close care to the sick. He was remembered by townspeople by the affectionate moniker "Dr. Xu Xian." His wide-ranging interests, including photography and Western music, also introduced a modern lifestyle to the area. This progressive spirit was also reflected in the building's design: in the 1930s, the first-level space, demolished due to an urban renewal plan, was replaced by a newly built Western-style building on the Minzu Road side, its style deeply influenced by Western modernism, while the family bedrooms still retained a Japanese-style tatami room. Murals left by the renowned painter Guo Xinlin and calligrapher Wang Xipin further enriched the cultural heritage of the space. Xu Cangze's Photographic Vision In 1962, local photographer Xu Cangze, who won the annual grand prize in the monthly competition of Japan's "Camera" magazine and was hailed as an "excellent foreigner," developed his passion for photography under the influence of his father, Xu Du. Besides documenting daily family life, he often turned his lens to the streets of Lukang, capturing the lives of ordinary people with his instant photography technique. Xu Cangze once formed the "Banana Club" fellowship with Zhang Shixian, Chen Longsan, and others, pooling money monthly to buy photography magazines to hone their skills. In the 1970s, in response to the rising localism movements across the island, he collaborated with photographers such as Zheng Sangxi and Xu Qingbo to establish the "Local Culture Photography Group." In an era where aesthetic and romantic salon photography was mainstream, they re-established a deep connection between images and the land. The 250,000 negatives and detailed notes accumulated by Xu Cangze throughout his life are not only important historical documents but also provided rich supporting evidence for the future renovation of Changyuan Hospital. Restoration and Regeneration Notes By 2018, Changyuan Hospital, having stood for nearly a century, inevitably showed signs of age. The Xiongben Old House team, who came to survey it at the time, proactively contacted Dr. Xu Zhengyuan, Xu Cangze's son, to gain a deep understanding of the family's concerns and hopes for the old house. Based on their expertise in cultural and historical research, spatial restoration, and operational planning, the team proposed a full-cycle restoration and reuse plan. Between 2018 and 2023, through a five-year restoration project, the old house continuously maintained its humanistic warmth through the curation of multiple themed special exhibitions. In the future, after its reopening, commercial functions will be appropriately introduced, and the old house will be revitalized in cooperation with local organizations, guided by a philosophy of "sustainable co-prosperity."