- grinnell-collection:37 (x)
- Educational facilities (x)
- Newburg (Iowa) (x)
- Grinnell College (x)
- China (x)
- Search results
-
-
Title
-
Excerpts from letters from China 1916-1948
-
Description
-
This typed reproduction of letters sent from Grinnell in China participant Alice Reed to her family back in the United States contains correspondence from the beginning of her tenure in 1916 to her journey back to the US in 1948. These letters are bound together and begin with a foreword written by Alice in the 60’s. In this foreword, she describes how she came to the Grinnell in China program and the prospect of going to the “new Republic of China.” This foreword introduces Alice’s life, which after 1916 was carefully documented in her letters home. Also included are two maps at the end of the book, one of China and another of Alice's travels around the world. Alice describes her journey to China in September of 1916 after joining the Grinnell in China Mission at the age of 26. She sails first to Nagasaki in Japan and then on to Techow, China to work at the North China Anglican Mission. Alice travels throughout China, Europe, India, and Africa, all the while tracing her movements throughout the world through her letters. Her encounters with Chinese rebels, military, and communists during this tumultuous time in Chinese history are all recorded with details on the movements of the groups and their effect on the population. During the Second World War, Alice is forced to leave China for the United States in December of 1942. She eventually returns to teach at a different school in Chengtu until leaving China permanently in 1948 in response to growing unrest. Included in her narrative are the details of her fellow missionaries as they live and work together. Alfred and Irma Heininger and their family are mentioned throughout the letters, as well as Harold and Grace Matthews. Also included are Ruth Tollman, the Miles family, Dr. Emma Tucker, the MacEachron family, the Cady family, the Robinson family, the Child family, the Arnold family, Lucy Mead, Adelle Tenney, Lucia Lyons, and a large number of other people during her 32 year stay in China. Ms. Reed is in Techow during the Sun Yat Sen revolution, World War I, the Communist Uprising, the beginning stages of World War II, and the beginning of the Communist Revolution. Throughout all of these events, Ms. Reed teaches in two missionary schools, one in Techow and another in Chengtu. She moves to Chengtu following her return to China in 1944, once WWII permits travel to the country. As fighting comes to Techow during the Sun Yat Sen movement, the Japanese invasion, and the Communist Revolution, Reed details the efforts made by the missionaries to provide adequate medical care and shelter to the affected population. When the Japanese occupy China during the late 30’s, Reed notes the political and social changes that affect the school and her pupils. A larger aspect of Reed’s time as a missionary was her ability to travel. Her 32-year tenure as a missionary was a unique chance for exposure to the larger world and Reed takes advantage of the Furloughs and other gaps in missionary work to travel a large portion of that world. She travels to Japan, Peitaiho, Peking, Nanking, Shanghai, Siberia, Moscow, Warsaw, Berlin, Montreaux, Interlaken, Paris, London, Liverpool, Montreal, Sumatra, Madagascar, Rio de Janeiro, Portugal, and India. As war breaks out between Japan and the United States, the Americans at the mission are sent home on a boat manned by the Japanese. This journey took the Americans through Sumatra, Java, Mozambique, and ended with the exchange of American and Japanese nationals in Rio de Janeiro. Once Alice returns in 1944, the situation in China only continues to worsen and the missionaries are unable to return to Techow due to the communist occupation. After hoping to move to Sian to teach at the Jefferson Academy, it becomes apparent that she will not be able to move there due to her status as a woman. As such, Alice begins teaching in the English Department at Cheeloo University. Many of her students in Chengtu are refugees from the Japanese, having been so anywhere from 1-7 years. As fighting between the communists and Japanese worsens, most of Shansi Province is put under Martial law. It soon becomes obvious that the communists may capture Chengtu and the American consul advises citizens in 1948 to evacuate the area. Alice Reed leaves China for the last time on November 16, 1948. She returns to the United States for two years, living in Syracuse and Oberlin, helping to care for her mother. After these two years, Reed goes to Uskudar, Turkey to teach at the American School for Girls. She returns to the United States permanently in 1959, moving to Syracuse until 1963 when she retires at the Pilgrim Place Retirement Community in Claremont, California.
-
PID
-
grinnell:17439
-
-
Title
-
Grinnell Missionaries in China
-
Description
-
A letter written by E.S. Turner about his vacation to China with his wife. He talks about his experiences traveling and his initial impressions from visiting the Grinnell-in-China field in Techow.
-
PID
-
grinnell:18747
-
-
Title
-
Letter from Harold S. Matthews to James Findley
-
Description
-
A letter from Harold S. Matthews addressed to Mr. Findley. Matthews praises Findley for his promotion and worries about whether Grinnell will send money to Porter-Wyckoff School in time to pay the bills.
-
PID
-
grinnell:18749
-
-
Title
-
Letter from Harold S. Matthews to Paul
-
Description
-
A letter written by Harold Matthews about the departure of three Grinnell-In-China leaders. He wonders whether Grinnell-In-China will open in the fall and speculates about the school's finances.
-
PID
-
grinnell:18748
-
-
Title
-
Photo of Building in Forest
-
Description
-
A photo of a building set against a forest in China that includes two men sitting on the curb in front of the house. This photo was taken by John Forrest Chapman during his time at the North China Mission and includes two copies.
-
PID
-
grinnell:17395
-
-
Title
-
Photo of Chinese Man Carrying Blankets
-
Description
-
This photo shows a Chinese man on a dirt road carrying blankets in a pouch on his back. He wears a European-style top hat along with white cloth pants and a shirt. The man is pictured leaning on his walking stick, taking a break from the trek.
-
PID
-
grinnell:17397
-
-
Title
-
Photo of Chinese Man Standing in Front of a Temple
-
Description
-
This photo shows a man dressed in white standing in front of a large, presumedly Buddhist temple. Above the temple doors is a sign with Chinese characters. The temple is very large, with stones steps in front and an ornate facade.
-
PID
-
grinnell:17398
-
-
Title
-
Photo of Men on a Road
-
Description
-
This photo shows three men standing on a dirt road. None of their faces are visible as they are all looking at something one of the men is holding. One wears a European style top hat and all three are dressed in loose clothes.
-
PID
-
grinnell:17405
