Introduction
The Former Tainan Patriotic Women's Association Hall, constructed during the Japanese Taisho era, served as the Tainan branch of the Japan Patriotic Women's Association. This organization was one of the primary women's groups during wartime. The building exhibits a fusion of Japanese and Western architectural styles, comprising two sections:
North Wing: Main hall of the Women's Association.
South Wing: Dormitories.These wings are connected by a central corridor. Post-World War II, the hall was transferred to the Red Cross. Due to the Red Cross's limited space requirements, the north wing was leased to the U.S. Information Service, which also handled consular and cultural affairs, and housed a library. After the severance of diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Taiwan, the library's collection was donated to the Tainan City Government, and the north wing became a branch of the city library. The south wing continued to serve as the Red Cross's headquarters and included a kindergarten. Architecturally, the building features numerous windows, a pebble-wash base, and horizontal wooden paneling on the second floor. The roof is adorned with traditional tiles arranged in a distinctive pattern. The design bears resemblance to the prairie-style residences of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, offering a unique contrast to the more rigid Western historical architectural styles.
