The local tobacco industry went into decline, and the barns lost their purpose. Then in 1992, several young members of the Chung clan, a notable lineage in Meinung, turned their back on big city life and returned home, where they were struck with sadness to discover the reminders of Meinung's once-thriving tobacco industry slipping into oblivion. They decided to bring the empty tobacco barns back to life.
直到民國八十一年時，幾位從大都會回鄉的美濃鐘姓子弟，為了保存優良的地方傳統文化，決定讓已成廢墟的菸樓重新站立起來。