“The Street Corner Museum Project integrates government funding, professional guidance, and museum-driven marketing resources to encourage public participation in eco-museum management and showcase the charm of Daxi,” explained Wen Hsin-Lin, Head of the Education and Promotion Section, and Tao Yung-Hsin, Administrative Assistant at the Daxi Wood Art Ecomuseum, Taoyuan City.
Since its inception in 2013 during the museum's preparatory phase, the Street Corner Museum Project has become an annual initiative, representing a key strategy for embodying eco-museum values and promoting sustainable local development. A "Street Corner Museum" refers to privately owned spaces opened to the public to exhibit local stories and heritage. These spaces serve as venues for public, educational, and cultural activities, with participants engaging in learning, sharing, and collaboration.
Shared Learning, Co-Creation, and Collective Growth
“In Daxi, any space with a story, local character, and openness to the public can become part of the museum. Individuals or groups willing to preserve and narrate Daxi's cultural heritage—be they local shops, carpentry workshops, historic buildings, farms, temples, or social welfare organizations—are welcomed as museum participants. These spaces become the frontline for sharing Daxi's lifestyle and cultural industries, empowering locals to tell their stories,” explained Tao Yung-Hsin, reflecting on the project’s community-centered approach.
Over the years, the project has offered workshops on research documentation, educational activity design, exhibition planning, and site visits to foster shared learning and mutual growth. Initially focused on Daxi’s old town area, the project has expanded to other neighborhoods, including Neizha, Sancheng, Touliao, Amuping, Sanmin, Hexi’s Nanxing, and Zhongzhuang. As of 2023, 33 Street Corner Museums and community partners participated, exemplifying a unique public-private collaboration model. Guided by the values of shared learning, co-creation, and collective growth, the project brings together individuals and organizations working towards a brighter future for Daxi. Each Street Corner Museum represents both an extension of the eco-museum and a testament to community-driven storytelling.
Launching the “Explore Daxi” Cultural Tour Brand
“To connect the Street Corner Museums, we partnered with the cultural tour brand Walk in Taiwan to launch the Explore Daxi cultural experience tours in 2023. Given the challenges of accessibility and space limitations among the Street Corner Museums, we used tour planning and brand integration to bridge these venues, aiming for a cooperative and mutually supportive cluster of Street Corner Museums,” said Tao Yung-Hsin.
Through Explore Daxi, the museum leads visitors to discover the diverse aspects of Daxi. The initiative “zooms in” on Daxi’s century-old lifestyle and culture while “zooming out” to explore its natural landscapes. Five thematic experiences—“Terraced River Trails,” “Crafting and Woodworking,” “Strolling the Streets,” “Market Delights,” and “Farm Fun”—invite both adults and children to engage their senses and immerse themselves in Daxi’s unique charm.
Cultural Preservation, Development, and Regeneration
“Public engagement is a core value of the Street Corner Museum Project. As a resource platform, the eco-museum encourages residents to explore Daxi’s wealth of local knowledge. We support Street Corner Museum curators in reflecting on their spaces’ societal significance, helping them present unique and meaningful narratives and undertake actions that benefit the community,” summarized Wen Hsin-Lin.
Whether long-time residents or newcomers, Daxi’s community members work together to preserve, develop, and regenerate the town’s rich heritage. This collective effort injects vitality into the local culture while maintaining its human warmth and vibrancy. Through a series of initiatives, the project showcases how Daxi preserves its unique identity while preparing for the future, setting an example of community participation and cultural preservation. Together, the community builds a thriving, livable, and inviting Daxi.