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Preferred Citation

Helena C. Koiner papers, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased from Tim Abbott Americana with the assistance of Nelle Richardson Tonkin Fund.

Content Description

Three letters from Helena C. Koiner, a Virginia-born missionary working in China, to Elizabeth Van Dyck. The first letter details Koiner's departure from San Francisco to Yokohama for China. Describes the people on the boat with her in great detail; missionary families, Chinese and Japanese families heading home, a few unattached men, and a group "trying to drink themselves to death" before they left port. Gossips about a nice Dutch scientist she has been playing Bridge with, and the musical entertainment on board the ship.

The second letter is decorated with hand-painted images of bamboo and waterfowl. Koiner congratulates "Van" on her school going strong, and thanks her for her last letter. Talks at length about the entertainment available in her area and the "good looking men." Koiner then transitions into talking about her own work in a school.

The third letter has a print of a girl standing next to a tree on each page. Koiner opens by thanking Van Dyck for her Christmas present, and talks about how much she has enjoyed her time in China. She details the parties she has attended, and the military officers she has met.

The three letters are accompanied by their envelopes and two documents related to language translation.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• China
• China--Description and travel
• China--History--20th century
• Missionary
• Missionary education
• Women--Social life and customs.
• Women--Travel
• Women--Virginia--Social life and customs