Dora Shank papers, 1929-1940.
Scope and Contents
This collection contains a diary and photographs from Dora Shank. The diary documents Dora's journey to Turkey as a missionary and covers some of her time while working at the American Hospital in Istanbul. The diary also specifically documents her humanitarian work in the aftermath of the Erzincan earthquake which devastated the region. The photographs in the collection all appear to have been taken during her travels to, and work in, Erzincan.
Dates
- 1929-1940
Creator
- Shank, Dora, 1898-1980 (Person)
Restrictions on Access
Access to this collection is unrestricted and open to the public.
Restrictions on Use
Items in this collection are subject to U.S. Copyright Law. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine the copyright status of collection items and to secure any permissions necessary for their reproduction and publication. Requests for permission to publish material must be discussed with the archivist or librarian.
Historical Note
Dora F. Shank was born in 1898 in Maryland to Calvin L. Shank and Annie M. Shank (née Farron). Dora trained as a nurse and became a registered nurse from the Philadelphia Hospital. In 1929, Dora F. Shank joined the Turkey mission of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) to work at the American Hospital in Istanbul. She became the superintendent of nurses while working at the American Hospital. In 1940, she participated in humanitarian aid efforts following the 1939 Erzincan earthquake. She married Albert Dewey, another ABCFM missionary, who led the Azariah Smith Memorial Hospital in Gaziantep, Turkey, in 1942. The two retired from missionary work in 1959. Dora died on June 2, 1980 and Albert died on December 28, 1980.
Extent
0.18 Cubic Feet (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Dora F. Shank was born in 1898 to Calvin L. Shank and Annie M. Shank. In 1929, Dora F. Shank joined the Turkey mission of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions to work at the American Hospital in Istanbul. She married Albert Dewey who led the Azariah Smith Memorial Hospital in Gaziantep, Turkey, in 1942. The two retired from missionary work in 1959 and Dora died in 1980. This collection contains a diary and photographs from Dora Shank which document her journey to Turkey and her time as a nurse at the American Hospital. The diary and photographs also specifically document her humanitarian work in the aftermath of the Erzincan earthquake.
Arrangement
This collection has been arranged into chronological order by start date.
Acquisition Information
Materials were donated to the Congregational Library & Archives by Helen Dewey in April 2022; 2022-08.
Processing Information
Processed by Zachary Bodnar, December 2024, using Describing Archives: A Content Standard.
Creator
- Shank, Dora, 1898-1980 (Person)
- Title
- Dora Shank papers, 1929-1940.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Zachary Bodnar
- Date
- 2024-12-04
- Description rules
- 3
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Congregational Library & Archives Repository