Lyda S. Houston Papers

Collection

Identifier: WCMss-478

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Lyda S. Houston Papers contain multiple booklets written in Chinese, as well as personal photographs and correspondence. This collection, which dates from 1928 through 1936, consists of booklets about include pharmaceutical books, accounting and business records, government documents, donation notices, handwritten notes, and religious texts. The correspondence is from Lyda S. Houston, detailing her involvement in the Wenshan Girls’ School near Foochow, Fukien Province, now known as Fujian Province.

Dates

circa 1928-1939

Creator

Houston, Lyda S. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Biographical Note

Lyda S. Houston was a Christian missionary in the modern day Fuijan province of China. She was born in 1892 in Shanghai, where her father was a Christian missionary. Lyda was the secretary for the Walla Walla chapter of the Young Women’s Christian Association from 1922 to July 1924, but returned to China later in 1924. For the rest of her working life she was a teacher and administrator of the Wenshan Girls’ School. While in China, Lyda spent several years as a prisoner during the Japanese occupation. She retired in the United States, and lived in California until her death in 1986.

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet (1 manuscript box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Lyda Houston Papers contains multiple booklets written in Chinese. This collection, which dates from 1928 through 1936, also consists of personal correspondence and photographs.