Scope and Contents
The Ruth A. Gress Papers contain a wide variety of documents including personal correspondence with family and friends, a range of post-missionary professional documents, and a small collection of personal mementos and diaries. The collection is divided into seven series. Series I through III consist of Gress’ correspondence, mostly outgoing to her family; and correspondence with Ethel Wallace, a fellow missionary in China. Series III contains mementos and diaries. Series IV contains Gress’ copy of a mimeographed document, Lessons to be Learned from the Experiences of Christian Missionaries in China; and Series VI and VII contain materials relating to conferences attended by Gress. These various documents also address the religious state and well fare of the Chinese in the U.S.
Dates
- 1939-1966
Creator
- Gress, Ruth A. (Person)
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.
Conditions Governing Use note
Property rights reside with Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish collection materials must be submitted to Special Collections and University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.
Biographical/Historical note
Ruth A. Gress obtained her B.A. at Fletcher College in Iowa and M.A. at the University of Michigan. Gress spent a term at the Garrett Biblical Institute in Illinois and a semester at Berkeley Baptist Divinity School in California. Gress was part of the Women's Division of Christian Services and traveled to China in 1939 where she was stationed in Nanping and Fukien. She worked as an English teacher in a co-educational high school and taught English classes in a nursing school of the Methodist Hospital. Gress was the director of youth work in the Nanping Methodist Church. Gress recorded her missionary experiences in a brief diary. After Gress returned to America, she corresponded with fellow missionary Ethel Wallace and was actively involved in national conferences concerning issues related to the Chinese population in America and Christianity among the Chinese population.
Extent
1 linear feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Ruth A. Gress was a Christian missionary in China between 1939 and 1950. The collection includes correspondence, a diary, literary manuscripts, and publications that reflect her missionary work.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Ruth A. Gress in 1968.
Existence and Location of Copies
This collection has been microfilmed. Microfilm reels are available for purchase, or via Inter-library Loan. When requesting reels for this collection, please request: “Women’s Lives, Series 3, American Women Missionaries and Pioneers Collection, reel(s) 53-54."
Microfilms of this collection have been digitized. Digital images prepared from microfilm copies are available from Special Collections & University Archives, and available online through Gale’s Women's Studies Archive: Women’s Issues and Identities.
General Physical Description note
2 containers
Processing Information note
Collection is processed.
- Chinese -- United States -- Religion Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Chinese Americans -- Religion Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Christianity -- 20th century Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Correspondence Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Diaries Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- National Conference of Chinese Churches in America
- National Conference of Christian Work Among the Chinese in America (1958)
- United Methodist Church (U.S.). Board of Missions. Women's Division
- Women missionaries -- China -- Fujian Sheng Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Women missionaries -- China -- Nanping Shi Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Guide to the Ruth A. Gress Papers
- Status
- Revise Description
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by University of Oregon Libraries, Archivists' Toolkit Project Team
- Date
- c2010
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives Repository
