Gordon Trimble (second from the left) and his wife, Sonia Trimble, visit Kuliang with American teachers and students. [Photo/FZ Evening News]

On March 20, Gordon Trimble, one of the Kuliang Friends, visited Kuliang in Fuzhou, Fujian province, with his wife and a delegation of teachers and students from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, continuing a friendship that has endured for more than a century.

Trimble's grandaunt, Lydia Trimble, first came to China in 1889. She devoted over five decades to missionary work and education in Fujian, serving as the first president of South China Women's College, the predecessor of today's Fujian Hwa Nan Women's College. Over the years, more than 10 members of the Trimble family have played a role in the founding and development of the institution, leaving a lasting educational legacy.

"Every summer, my grandaunt would come to Kuliang to escape the heat, naming her residence here the 'Iowa Cottage'," Trimble shared the story with the students during a visit to the former site of the family home.

During their stay, the group visited the Kuliang Post Office and a century-old well, where they learned about the harmonious coexistence between foreign residents and local communities who once shared the same water source. The delegation also toured several historic and cultural landmarks, including the Kuliang Club, Kuliang Swimming Pool, Cryptomeria King Park, and the Kuliang Families Story Museum.

Through vivid storytelling, Trimble brought Kuliang's past to life, recounting its history as a summer retreat and its once-thriving international community. His stories offered students a deeper appreciation of Kuliang's unique cultural heritage.

For many years, Trimble and his wife, Sonia, have been dedicated to fostering educational exchanges between China and the United States. After retiring in 2005, they relocated to Fuzhou, where they volunteered as teachers at Fujian Hwa Nan Women's College and established scholarships to support academic exchange. The Trimble family has also contributed teaching facilities, supported young faculty in overseas study programs, and funded international educators to teach in China.

"Bringing these American students to Kuliang allows them to experience its authenticity firsthand. It is far more meaningful than learning from books alone," Trimble said. He expressed his hope that such visits will inspire younger generations to better understand and appreciate Kuliang, and to carry forward this enduring friendship.

A representative from the Administrative Committee of Kuliang Tourist Resort noted that Kuliang will continue to serve as an important platform for China-U.S. youth exchanges. By welcoming more American students to Fuzhou for study visits, these programs aim to foster mutual understanding and strengthen lasting friendships, encouraging young people to become active participants and storytellers of the Kuliang legacy in the new era.