Volta
Culture1885 – 1886

Founding of Paichai and Ewha Schools

American Protestant missionaries founded Paichai Hakdang (1885, Appenzeller) and Ewha Hakdang (1886, Mary Scranton) in Jeong-dong, Seoul. Ewha was Korea’s first modern school for women.

American Protestant missionaries, who came after the Korea–US treaty, began their mission through medicine and schools. The Methodist Henry Appenzeller founded Paichai Hakdang in 1885 and Mary Scranton opened the girls’ school Ewha Hakdang in 1886, while the Presbyterian Horace Underwood started in 1886 the school that became Kyungshin. King Gojong bestowed the names of Paichai and Ewha.

They taught English, the Bible and modern subjects; at Paichai the student debating club Hyeopseonghoe linked up with the Independence Club. Mission schools such as Soongsil and Jeongsin followed, spreading women’s education and modern knowledge.

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The map in 1885

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States and rulers at the time
Joseon — Gojong
Places
Hanyang

People

  • Gojong1852 – 1919

    related figure · Twenty-sixth king of Joseon and first emperor of the Korean Empire

Before and after

Earlier
1884 Gapsin Coup
Later
1885 Gwanghyewon Hospital Founded

Themes that include this event

  • Educational Institutions Through the AgesAD 372 – 1943

    From the Taehak and Gukhak to the Gukjagam and Seonggyungwan, modern schools and the colonial education ordinances — state schools that trained officials and the private schools that filled the gaps