Browse: Collection Contents

The Correspondence series (1.35 linear feet) is organized as it was received. Correspondence is arranged by year and then, generally, according to author. The majority of the materials are written by Marion Blydenburgh and George (Theron) Blydenburgh to family members in the United States describing daily life, family matters, and news of the hospital's progress during their time in China from 1920-1931. The first exception is a small amount of materials related to George and Marion Blydenburgh's travels in the United States prior to their departure to China from San Francisco in 1920 as well as a return trip to the United States by the Blydenburgh family in 1925. The second exception is materials related to the Blydenburgh family's time spent in Japan and Korea after their evacuation from Nanchang due to incidents related to military campaigns and subsequent events in 1927.

The Nanchang Hospital Reports series (0.1 linear feet) contains five reports, arranged by year, from the Nanchang General Hospital (also known as the Susan Toy Ensign Memorial Hospital). One of the reports covers 1926-1930 in a single volume. The other four reports are single year editions.

The Published Materials series (0.05 linear feet) contains two publications produced by the Nanking [Nanjing] Language School in 1920 and 1921, where George and Marion Blydenburgh attended Chinese language classes. Additionally, a folder of newspaper clippings, largely undated, document the Blydenburgh family's experiences, including incidents related to military campaigns and subsequent events, in China.

The Visual Materials series (1.75 linear feet, 1 oversize folder) is organized by genre. This series contains a box of glass lantern slides, loose photographs and photographic postcards, as well as seven photograph albums that document the Blydenburgh family's experiences in China. Generally, the subjects of the photographic media in this series are individual and group portraits, interiors and exteriors of dwellings, as well as various modes of transportation. Additional subjects include tourism and travel documenting landscapes and landmarks; life in cities, towns, and the country; and the Nanchang General Hospital (also known as the Susan Toy Ensign Memorial Hospital).

Additional subjects are present in the photograph albums. Of note is documentation of the Nanchang city wall being pulled down in 1926, which is in the third album, Nanchang, Kiangsi, China. In the fourth album, which is untitled and undated, there are architectural drawings and a photograph of a stone house designed by George Blydenburgh and built in Kuling, in the Methodist Mission. The sixth album, Refugee Book No. 1 contains photographs of the Blydenburgh family's time spent in Shanghai, China; Nagasaki, Japan; and Korea after being evacuated from Nanchang in March 1927. Also included in this album is a photograph with the caption "Major General Duncan reviewing British troops just arriving across the Garden Bridge, Shanghai, Spring 1927." The seventh album, Refugee Book No. 2 contains photographs documenting the Blydenburgh family's time spent in Mukden (Shenyang), Peking (Beijing), Tientsin (Tianjin), and Peitaiho (Beidaihe) including photographs of the Great Wall of China.

One oversize panoramic photograph of approximately 150 adults and children, which was given to George and Marion Blydenburgh by the Nanchang Auxiliary Committee in April 1931, is part of the Visual Materials series. Also part of this series are color prints made in 1998 that are copies of glass lantern slides from circa 1920-1931. The glass lantern slides are arranged in eight partitions and two cartons mirroring their physical arrangement in their original box. Furthermore, the Visual Materials series includes six scrolls featuring calligraphy, painting, and woodblock prints, two of which are both titled 2 men in boat in storm - Man on shore - Wood Block - Black & White.

The Writing series (0.25 linear feet) consists of five folders. It includes the following writings: The Present Situation in China by George Blydenburgh, September 15, 1925 Some of Our Experiences in Nanchang, China by Marion Paterson Blydenburgh, 1925; Nation Making in China (Not for Publication); An American Family in China; and one untitled work written by George Blydenburgh. Outlines titled The American Mother in China, Ten Years in China, and Women and the Way are also included.

Additional materials are first-hand accounts of incidents related to military campaigns in Nanchang, Nanjing, and Shanghai in March 1927 by Marion Blydenburgh as well as Miss Golisch; Dr. Rowe; R.J. Pryor; and WM. R. Johnson, Principal of the Nanchang Academy Boys School of Methodist Episcopal Church. Furthermore, a November 1934 edition of the China Christian Advocate and an annotated copy of The Linguist from 1921 that belonged to Marion Blydenburgh along with blueprints, newspaper clippings, parts of letters, photographs, and other materials are included in this series in their original order.