Around 60 guests from China and abroad, together with representatives of Kuliang villagers, gathered on July 1 for the Kuliang Friends Story Sharing Meeting, where descendants of families with deep ties to Kuliang reflected on the enduring friendships that have connected China and the United States for more than a century.
Guests from China and the United States attend the Kuliang Friends Story Sharing Meeting in Fuzhou, Fujian province, on July 1. [Photo/Fujian Daily]
Guo Xiuyun, a Kuliang resident, opened the event by recounting her grandfather Guo Maolu's childhood friendship with Milton Gardner, an American who spent his summers in Kuliang in the early 1900s. Although Gardner longed to revisit his beloved childhood home in China, he never had the chance. After his passing, his wife eventually traced the place he had cherished to Kuliang and visited the village in 1992, where she reunited with his childhood friends. Guo also shared treasured family photographs and handwritten notes from that emotional reunion, offering a touching glimpse into a friendship that had endured across generations.
Thomas Hemenway, a descendant of Ruth Hemenway, spoke about his family's deep connection with Fuzhou. Ruth Hemenway arrived in Minqing in 1924 and devoted 12 years to advancing local healthcare by expanding hospital facilities, training nurses, introducing modern surgical techniques, and bringing medical services to remote mountain communities. Thomas said her greatest legacy extended far beyond medicine — it was her respect for the local people, her compassion, and her unwavering commitment to serving the community.
Gordon Trimble shared how five generations of his family have maintained close ties with Kuliang. He highlighted the contributions of Lydia Trimble, who founded several schools in Fujian and championed women's education, as well as Fred Trimble, who designed the Kuliang Club as a gathering place for learning, cultural exchange, and community life. Gordon Trimble said that helping others through action lies at the heart of the Kuliang spirit. He and his wife have embodied that spirit through 21 years of volunteer teaching at Fujian Hwa Nan Women's College. For generations, his family has believed that the true meaning of life is found in serving others.
Ninety-year-old Priscilla Gill, visiting Kuliang for the fourth time, recalled spending seven childhood summers in the mountain village. Her father, Harold Brewster, served as the last foreign president of Fujian Union Hospital and even operated a small clinic from their Kuliang home. Looking back on her lifelong bond with the village, she said, "Every time I come back to Kuliang, I'm afraid I won't want to leave", a heartfelt reflection on the place that continues to unite generations through friendship, shared memories, and lasting affection.
