Description
This collection contains the papers of home economics teacher Ruth Gill Hammond (1901-1989), who taught in China, Thailand,
and the United States.
The bulk of the papers consists of correspondence to and from Hammond. Subject matter of the correspondence covers the daily
activities
of Ruth Gill Hammond and others, family matters, business and professional matters,
and brief descriptions of historical events in Siam (Thailand), China, and the
United States.
Background
Ruth Gill Hammond (1901-1989) was born on May 20, 1901, to William Harrison Gill and
Mary Adelaine Karr Gill in Phoenix, Arizona. William Harrison Gill was an evangelist
missionary who worked among the Native American tribes of the Old Southwest (mainly
Arizona and Nevada) in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Ruth Gill Hammond studied at
Oregon State College where she earned her degree in Home Economics. After completing
her degree in Home Economics, she went on to earn her Master’s degree from Columbia.
After completing her education, Ruth taught Home Economics at several different
schools. Schools at which she taught include Anderson Union High School, Buffalo
State Teacher’s College, and Lingnan University in Canton, China. The bulk of her
teaching career (12 years) was spent at Lingnan University. In September of 1932,
Ruth was married to A.R. Hammond, sales manager for McFarland Office Appliance
Company for the territory of Siam (Thailand), and together they had three children:
Barbara Ruth, John William, and Carolyn Louise. Hammond resided in
Bangkok, Thailand, with her husband and children until finally returning to Oregon.
Extent
328 pieces in 4 boxes + 2 volumes, 2 binders, 1 oversize folder, and 1 empty box
Restrictions
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to
quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such
activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is
one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Availability
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services
Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.