Duchess of Kent Hall Collection

Collection

Identifier: 2014-005

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection cointains photo albums, annual journals, administration and finalcial records arranged according to the academic years. It also comprises hall members records from year 1994 to year 2001, and from year 2003 to year 2005. Some files refer to the Hall social, cultural and sports functions. The collection includes also 5 big-sized framed pictures and ephemera such as trophy cups, pennants and ornaments.

Dates

1953 - 2009

Creator

University of Hong Kong. Duchess of Kent Hall (Organization)

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Use

This collection is open to all researchers

Biographical / Historical

Following upon the creation of a non-residential hall for men in 1953, the University decided to found a similar institution for women students. At about this time, H.R.H. Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent visited the University and consented to allow her name to be used for the new hall. Princess Marina was an aunt of Queen Elizabeth II and she maintained an interest in the hall until her death. Her daughter H.R.H. Princess Alexandra met the hall members in 1961, when she opened the Union Building, and her son, the present Duke of Kent, visited the University, met the commettee members and the warden in 1963. In 1971 hall membership changed from compulsory to voluntary. Until 1981 the Hall had a spacious common room in the Main Building, then it moved to the newly constructed Swire Building on the University Campus. The first warden was Mrs. Mary Rose, whose husband suggested the Hall motto "GRATIA NATURAM ADJUVAT" ("Art lends grace to nature").

Extent

22 Linear Feet

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection is organized by topic, and for the most part it is chronological at a folder level. Because of the odd sizes of some materials the physical organization does not always follow the intellectual organization.