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Bock Ark papers

 Collection 0061-MDHC

The papers of Bock Ark (1896-1974), a Chinese immigrant and Baltimore restauranteur and active member of the Chinese community, relate to Chinese American activities in Baltimore and on the East Coast. Subjects include immigration laws, refugee relief, World War II, child welfare, the New Life movement, emergency army training, and Generalissimo and Madame Chiang Kai-Chek. Also included are materials concerning Sue Bock, Bock's wife, who was president of the Chinese Women's Association of Baltimore.

Dates

  • 1938-1972
  • Majority of material found within 1938-1969

Use and Access to Collection

This collection is open for research.

Duplication and Copyright Information

Photocopies of original materials may be provided for a fee and at the discretion of the curator. Please see our Duplication of Materials policy for more information. Queries regarding publication rights and copyright status of materials within this collection should be directed to the appropriate curator.

Extent

1.00 Linear Feet (1.00 linear feet, 24 photographs, and 15 three-dimensional objects)

1.00 Linear Feet

39 Items (24 photographs and 15 three dimensional items )

Scope and Content of Collection

The Bock Ark papers cover the period from 1938 to 1969.

Important subjects covered in this collection include child welfare, war funds, refugee relief, the New Life movement, foreign exchanges, medical aid, Madame Chang Kai Shek, war bond drives, the movement against Japan, the productive relief fund, contributions, war orphans, emergency army training, Refugee Relief Act, communism, immigration law, the Revolution of March 29, 1910, Chinese history, and linen cloth.

Biography

Bock Ark was born August 27, 1896 in Toisan, China, and came to the United States in 1911. He lived with an uncle who had a laundry in Baltimore, Maryland. While attending Sunday School at Grace and St. Peter's Church, he worked in his uncle's laundry. He went back to China in 1920 and married Sue Bock there in 1921. He returned to Baltimore and started a restaurant during World War I at 208 W. Fayette Street. During the depression Bock closed the restaurant and managed a laundry until 1937.

He became involved in Chinese American organizations in 1937, becoming president of the Consolidated Chinese Association of Baltimore in 1938. He was also a leader of the Chinese Benevolent Society, Secretary of the Chinese Merchant's Association, and representative of the Chungking Government. In 1944, he started Chunking Restaurant and continued until 1960. He was a prominent figure in Baltimore Chinese affairs and a business leader of the local Chinese community.

Sue Bock was the president of the Chinese Women's Association of Baltimore and was also active in other Chinese women's associations.

Arrangement

Organized as three series.

Series 1
Bock Ark
Series 2
Memorabilia
Series 3
Photographs

Custodial History and Acquisition Information

Sue Bock deposited the Bock Ark papers with the University of Maryland Libraries in 1974.

Processing Information

One folder of photographs from the Biographical Print Files was reintegrated back into the collection on July 6, 2011.

Title
Guide to the Bock Ark papers
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by HJW.
Date
1975-04-22
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Library Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives

Contact:
University of Maryland Libraries
Hornbake Library
4130 Campus Drive
College Park Maryland 20742
301-405-9212