Joseph W. Ho - Developing Mission: Photography, Filmmaking, and American Missionaries in Modern China

In completing this book during the global COVID-19 pandemic, I think often of friends and family whose presence is writ on these pages. As with the historical images and people whose stories appear on these pages, visual technologies and ways of seeing from afar bridge the distances of our time. Glowing screens and hopes for a better tomorrowand that tomorrow togetherconnect us. No experience exists in true isolation, whether mental, physical, or spiritual. Neither did the creation of this book.

I cannot thank enough the many families who, in great trust and friendship, allowed me to work closely with the materials they preserved over the years. This book would not exist without my beloved friend Richard Henke, whose visit to the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum while I was working there as an undergraduate assistant planted the seed for my research in his parents photographs and films. The rest of the work grew from that moment. His siblings, Robert Henke and Lois Henke Pearson (19372018), daughter Maria Henke Elswick, son-in-law Barry Elswick, and nephew David Henke aided my work with the Henke materials over the years. I count myself fortunate to have known Sophie Henke (19332013), Richards wife, whose cheer and hospitality live on in my memory.

Harry Lewis, Cecile Lewis Bagwell (19352019), Charles Lewis, and Wendy Lewis Thompson gave generously of their father and mothers astounding collection of photographs, writings, and multimedia material, as well as their colorful memories and strong friendship. So too, did Carl and Faith Scovel, Tom Scovel, Jim Scovel, Anne Scovel Fitch, Judy Scovel Robinson, and Vicki Scovel Harris; their compassion, humor, and kindness over many years of research always made me feel never far from home. Clara Bickford Heer (19302015) and Ray Heer (19272015) shared photographs, mealtime conversations, and impromptu piano recitals in their Pasadena home, while also bringing me into contact with the Chinese Christian community in Xingtai. Their children, Gloria Lane, Carol Holsinger, and Grace Heer, continue their parents tradition of care. Margaret Winfield Sullivan and her son, Charley Sullivan, entrusted me with their familys images and letters while also inspiring me with their stories and writing.

In Wuhan, Liu Ju (19172011)whom I miss dearlygraciously shared her memories and personal photographs, while her son Li Weilai stood beside me and later spurred on my work from afar. In Xingtai, Dou Languang kindly introduced me to the historical legacies of his church community. In Taiwan, Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Ti-Kangs warm friendship and pastoral care (in my life as well as in the lives of my family over several decades) not only deepened my research but also demonstrated the tripartite fellowship of "faith, hope, and love. Teddy and Andrea Heinrichsohn, David and Gartha Angus, Mimi Hollister Gardner, Anne Lockwood Romasco (19332017), and other wonderful alumni of the pre-1950 Shanghai American School welcomed me to their group and their homes, listened with interest to my presentations, and contributed personal materials. This book and my journey as a historian exist because of these extraordinary individuals. My life is immeasurably richer for knowing them.

The Ricci Institute for Chinese-Western Cultural History at the University of San Francisco, the Passionist Historical Archives, and the Jesuit California Province Archives (formerly based at Santa Clara University, now at the Jesuit Archives and Research Center) made available vital sources on which this book is built. I am greatly indebted to Bro. Dan Peterson, SJ (Santa Clara University), Rev. Daniel Love (Rye Presbyterian Church, New York), Christopher Anderson (Yale Divinity School Library), David Miros and Ann Knake (Jesuit Archives and Research Center), Marcia Stein and Andrew Rea (Robert M. Myers Archives, Chicago Province of the Society of the Divine Word), and the Ricci Institutes truly incomparable staff: Fr. Antoni Ucerler, SJ, Xiaoxin Wu, and Mark Mir. All these individuals hold a special place in my heart for their kindness and unwavering support (and in the case of Xiaoxin and Mark, for their shared interests in photography and classic cinema, respectively). Fr. Robert Carbonneau, CP, played a pivotal role in opening the Passionist China Collection for research. His personal care is a blessing, and reflects his dedication to ministry and scholarship. Jennifer Miko and Buck Bito at Movette Film Transfer in San Francisco skillfully digitized all the rare films examined in this bookpermitting them to be widely viewed for the first time in decadeswhile sharing their extensive expertise in historical filmmaking technologies.

At the University of Michigan, Jay Cook taught me how to be a cultural historian while sharpening my scholarly and professional development. Penny Von Eschen demonstrated the importance of thinking seriously about global US experience and power. Pr Cassel strongly supported my interdisciplinary approaches to modern Chinese history and crucially launched wider public interest in my research. Sara Blair, with her characteristic brilliance and warmth, always encouraged me to make theories and practices of photography a central element in my studies. It is because of her that I am a historian of visual culture. Brandi Hughes showed me what it meant to be an empathetic scholar of transnational religion, while lively chats with Christian de Pee gave rise to the title of this book, among many other topics of interest. Hitomi Tonomura and Greg Parker were constant friends during and after my time at the Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies. Over home-cooked meals and afternoon discussions, Jonathan Marwil led me to critically consider photographys connection to modern experience and to write in a way that was accessible to broader audiences.