1926 Kindergarten at Nanking Presbyterian Mission

This glass negative photograph, taken by the Bain News Service around 1926, captures a kindergarten at the Presbyterian Mission in Nanking, China. During this period, missionary efforts in China significantly expanded educational opportunities, particularly for young children. The Presbyterian Mission, among others, aimed to provide not just religious instruction but also essential skills and education, helping to shape a generation amid the complex social changes of the early 20th century.

In the backdrop of Nanking, this kindergarten represents a pivotal moment in educational history. It showcases how Western missions contributed to developing modern schooling in China, focusing on foundational education during a time of political instability. The image serves as a window into the lives of both the children engaged in learning and the missionaries dedicated to fostering a more educated populace. Through this photograph, we gain insight into a unique intersection of culture, education, and early 20th-century life in China.