Historic 136-Year-Old Missionary’s Letter on Joseon Korea Unveiled

National Archives Unveils Rosetta Hall’s 136-Year-Old Joseon Era Letter

The National Archives of Korea, an agency under the Ministry of Interior and Safety, announced on April 7th that it has successfully restored and will publicly unveil a historic “scroll travel letter” written 136 years ago. This significant document offers a rare glimpse into life in Joseon Korea through the eyes of Rosetta Sherwood Hall, a prominent American medical missionary.

The unveiling coincides with Korea’s 54th “Health Day,” celebrated annually on April 7th, a date that historically highlights contributions to public health. The letter, officially titled “Rosetta Sherwood Hall’s Scroll Travel Letter,” has been meticulously preserved and prepared for its first public display, providing invaluable firsthand accounts from the late 19th century.

Rosetta Sherwood Hall is revered for her pioneering work in establishing modern medicine and education in Korea, particularly for women and individuals with disabilities, during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), the last dynastic kingdom of Korea. Her travel letter is expected to shed new light on the social customs, daily life, and challenges encountered by foreigners living in Korea during a pivotal period of its history.

The restoration project was undertaken as part of the National Archives’ “Customized Restoration and Reproduction Support” program. This specialized initiative is dedicated to the conservation of fragile and aged historical records, ensuring that such irreplaceable cultural heritage, currently held at institutions like the Yanghwajin Records Library, is preserved and made accessible for research and public education for generations to come.

Source: 행정안전부 보도자료 — Original Article (Korean)