Jump to Content

Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Johnston (Tess) papers
2015C32  
No online items No online items       Request items ↗
View entire collection guide What's This?
Search this collection
Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Access
  • Use
  • Acquisition Information
  • Preferred Citation
  • Biographical Note
  • Scope and Content of Collection

  • Title: Tess Johnston papers
    Date (inclusive): 1929-2014
    Collection Number: 2015C32
    Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
    Language of Material: English
    Physical Description: 32 manuscript boxes, 14 oversize boxes, 1 oversize folder (17.9 Linear Feet)
    Abstract: Correspondence, writings, printed matter, and photographs relating to Western communities and architecture in Shanghai and elsewhere in China. Mainly collected research material for publications by Tess Johnston.
    Creator: Johnston, Tess
    Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives

    Access

    The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

    Use

    For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

    Acquisition Information

    Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 2015.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item], Tess Johnston papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

    Biographical Note

    American writer and former Foreign Service Officer.

    Chronology

    1953 Joined the foreign service as an office secretary and was promoted to secretary to the consulate general in Dusseldorf, Germany
    1949 Graduated from Harrisonburg High School in Charlottesville, Viriginia
    1958-1967 Received Bachelor's degree and Master's degree in German from the University of Virginia
    1978 Transferred to New Delhi, India
    1967 Joined the Agency for International Development in Vietnam
    1986 Named Foreign Service Secretary of the Year for her work coordinating the visit of President Ronald Reagan to Shanghai
    1986-1989 Acted as secretary to the administrative counselor at the United States Embassy in Paris, France
    1989 Second tour of duty in Shanghai
    1996 Retired from the American Foreign Service
    1993 Co-founded Old China Hand Press with Er Dongqiang (also known as Deke Ehr)
    1981-1986 First tour of duty in Shanghai
    1994 Published Near to Heaven : Western Architecture in China's Old Summer Resorts with Dongqiang Er
    1993 Published A Last Look : Western Architecture in Old China with Dongqiang Er
    1996 Published Far From Home : Western Architecture in China's Northern Treaty Ports with Dongqiang Er
    1996 Published God And Country : Western Religious Architecture in Old China with Dongqiang Er
    2000 Published Frenchtown Shanghai : Western Architecture in Shanghai's Old French Concession with Dongqiang Er
    1997 Published Welcome to Shanghai : A Guide for New Expatriate Residents To Help Them Make The Most of Their Shanghai Experience and The Last Colonies : Western Architecture in China's Southern Treaty Ports with Dongqiang Er
    1962-1967 Taught at the University of Virginia and at the College of William and Mary in Virginia
    1975 Rejoined Foreign Service, assigned to Consulate General in Frankfurt, Germany
    1976 Transferred to Embassy in East Berlin, Germany

    Scope and Content of Collection

    The Jess Johnston papers contain correspondence, writings, printed matter, and photographs relating to Western communities and architecture in Shanghai and elsewhere in China, mainly collected as research material for publications by Johnston.
    The Personal Materials primarily contains correspondence and articles regarding Johnston's writings and research materials, including inquiries regarding various topics, as well as press and promotional materials for Johnston's various writings. The Shanghai History File includes books, articles, newsletters, clippings, expatriate association membership directories, printed matter, and various publications from the Old China Hand Press. Of note are the various memoirs written by family members detailing their experiences living as expatriates in China. The Photographs includes photographs of architecture and buildings taken by Johnston in various cities around China in preparation for her books regarding European architecture in China.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Architecture -- China
    Europeans -- China
    China -- History
    Shanghai (China) -- History