152 Photographs (Black and White silver gelatin prints; Postcards)
0.2 Cubic feet
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Photographs
Photographic prints
Postcards
Black-and-white photographic prints
Place:
Korea
Pyongyang (Korea)
Date:
1909-1940
Scope and Contents:
One hundred fifty two photographic prints and postcards, compiled by the family of Eil Mowry during their residence in Pyongyang between 1909 and 1940. Photographs were taken mostly by Eli Mowry and son David Mowry, although a number of the photographs apparently derive from commercial sources. Prints are primarily black and white silver gelatin prints, with a small number of commercial postcards. Subjects include personal photographs of family and friends, the foreign compound, church and school activities, views of Pyongyang, Daegu, and Incheon, and various Korean scenes, life and customs. Many photographs are considerably damaged due to a house fire in the 1980s.
Photographs are numbered individually with no attempt to organize by subject. Arranged by photograph number.
Biographical / Historical:
Reverend Eli Mowry was a Presbyterian missionary and educator, originally from Ohio. In 1909 he moved to Pyongyang with his family, where they lived until 1941. Mowry eventually became head of Soongsil Academy, which was eventually to become Soongsil University. In 1919, Eli Mowry was arrested by Japanese authorities for harboring anti-Japanese student protesters. His incarceration and trial became an international incident. In 1950, Mowry was awarded the Decoration of Honor, Third Order, from the Republic of Korea. In 1968, he and his wife Lois received an additional special citation from the Korean government.
Local Numbers:
FSA.A2010.04
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository.
Black-and-white photographic prints -- Silver gelatin -- 1900-1950
Citation:
Mowry Family Photographs of Korea, FSA.A2010.04. National Museum of Asian Art Archives. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. Gift of Miriam Stein, 2010.
