Collection 251 Oral History Interview with Herbert Downing

Collection

Identifier: CN 251

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Oral history interview with Herbert Downing (1905-1986) in which he describes his childhood as a child of missionaries in Kenya, attending Rift Valley Academy in Kenya, a visit of Theodore Roosevelt to the Academy, his father's work as pastor and administrator, Africa Inland Mission's policy on the education of missionary children, and Downing's own work as an educator at Rift Valley Academy. The time period covered by the interview is 1905-1983

Herbert Downing was intereviewed by Robert D. Shuster on June 14, 1983 at the Billy Graham Center Archives at Wheaton College.

Dates

Created: 1983

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.

Biographical Information

Herbert Downing was born on August 14, 1905, in Kenya, the son of Africa Inland Mission pastor and field director Lee H. Downing. His parents served at the AIM station in Kijabe. Downing was among the first students to attend Rift Valley Academy, the AIM school for missionary children.

Downing married Mildred Sussanna Houk on June 19, 1931. The Downings went out together as AIM missionaries to Kenya, serving as teachers at Rift Valley Academy. Herbert Downing was principal of RVA from 1933-1938, and 1947-1974. The Downings retired from AIM on April 15, 1976. Herbert Downing passed away on December 15, 1986.

Extent

1.00 Audio Tapes

78 Minutes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Accruals and Additions

The materials in this collection were given to the Billy Graham Center Archives by Herbert Downing in June 1983.

Accession 83-68

January 12, 1989

Lannae Graham

J. Nasgowitz

R. Shuster