Sit. Stay.
Petsitter available for short and long stays. Amongst the Tseng’s collections, Steven is most proud and always excited to show some of his rare coins. “I believe numismatics are most interesting because coins provoke a greater unbiased understanding of world history and show us that different regions and different people can be, and have been, brought together. Many people have Genghis Khan confused with Attila the Hun, but Genghis built the largest contiguous empire the world has ever known by uniting territories in Eastern Europe, Russia, Middle East, Persia, Central Asia and China under one central administration, with his heirs continuing to rule for centuries after his death. “Although he ruled the entire empire, his government was tolerant of different religions and cultures in the territories he controlled. These three coins prove it. The first says “Christian Kingdom of Georgia” and “Pay Your Taxes to the Great Khan in Mongolia”...written in Arabic! It shows that the Mongols owned the mint, but were not looking to change the culture of those governed. The second coin shows Genghis Khan’s daughter-in-law as the chief of the Mongol Empire...proving that women are already holding the highest political offices for the largest empire in 1241, nearly 800 years ago. And the third, is what is believed to be among the first gold coins with the name of Genghis Khan, commemorating when he first conquered Afghanistan...a region that has notably withstood outside forces ever since. I usually keep these coins in a bank vault and only keep some replicas here in the house, but I wanted you to see and touch the real thing.” “We have the philosophy that bringing more people to more knowledge will make the world a better place,” Steven continues. “Education fosters discussion. That’s why we’re strong supporters - and I feel like an unofficial ambassador - of the American Museum of Natural History in New York. They have over 5 million visitors a year and over half of the visitors are kids! Our family is proud to have our Chinese names associated with the restoration of the Musk Oxen diorama in the Hall of North America Mammals of the Museum, extremely honored and humbled that newer Americans like us can contribute in the same Hall alongside the Rooselvelts, the Hearsts, and the Harvey Mudds, and most grateful to have millions and millions of visitors to the Museum be inspired to learn 150
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science and culture. ...And I’m pleased to say that Ethan completed three years at the Museum’s Science Alliance program, commuting into the City while he was also in middle school at Saxe.” And then Steven gets going on all the rest of the Tsengs various projects... “In Finland, we provided funds to the Finnish Museum of Natural History for the restoration and display of what is known as the Javan Tiger 89, which had been lost to world scholars in the Museum’s storage since 1857, and has now been reborn as the 89th remaining example of this extinct species. And we’re particularly interested in supporting the development of natural history museums in countries that are lacking, and where many will benefit.” Steven even hinted that a Javan Rhino sponsorship is under discussion for 2023! The Tsengs are not your typical New Canaanites. It’s an ironic reflection of the Tseng’s experience as Taiwanese American immigrants, that while they are at once envied for their spot at the pinnacle of American success, respected for their education, achievement, and philanthropy, and friends with people from all parts of their life, they still feel - though they never complain of discrimination or exclusion and make a point of always saying how welcomed they’ve been in New Canaan - like outsiders. Steven sums it up saying, “At this time of the Holidays especially, we should all do something to bring people together. The whole story in life is that everyone has a different story and a completely different perspective. Heck, I just admitted to you before that the ‘80s English new wave band Depeche Mode is my favorite band, and I might be the only one in New Canaan who would give you that answer. But I believe, seriously, that through education we can learn how much we are still all the same, and most importantly how we can live together. That’s the legacy we’re trying to leave.”
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