LIVING LEGACY: “I enjoy this work so much. It’s an honor to be a part of this mission and follow in the footsteps of a woman who is so inspiring.” Pamela Carroll, marketing director of Pearl S. Buck International, is shown by the Pearl S. Buck House in Perkasie, Pa.

Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature and the Pulitzer Prize for her memorable book, The Good Earth, Pearl S. Buck was a prolific writer, author of more than 100 books, and more than 1000 publications, including papers and articles.

Pearl S. Buck International is a memorial to her legacy, and continues to further adoptions across the world and to support children in need through sponsorships.

Born in West Virginia in 1892, Pearl was the daughter of missionaries who focused their work in China. She spent the first 40 years of her life in that country, and while developing a deep regard for Chinese culture and tradition, she was also aware of the need for de-stigmatizing attitudes toward children of mixed heredity.

Pamela Carroll, marketing director of Pearl S. Buck International, a non-profit organization, notes, “Pearl was a blond-haired, blue-eyed child growing up in China. She felt apart, and often encountered discrimination. She wanted to spare other children from having that experience, and later in 1949, she founded Welcome House, the first adoption agency of its kind, to help find homes for multi-racial, multi-national children.”

Welcome House, whose mission focused on international adoption from mostly Asian countries and domestic adoption in Pennsylvania, has placed more than 7000 children, including those with special needs, in stable homes.

In 1934, Ms. Buck had returned to the U.S., and purchased Green Hills Farm with 48 acres in Perkasie, Pa. Part of the stone farm house dated to 1740 and part to 1825. Ms. Buck expanded the structure over time, and it was home to her and her family, including six adopted children and her second husband Richard Walsh.

In addition to Welcome House, she later established Opportunity House, which continues to be an important part of Pearl S. Buck International. This program expands opportunities for children and families who need health care, education, livelihood, and psycho-social support by means of sponsorship, particularly through a monthly donation.

The focus is primarily Asian countries, especially Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and China. In addition to a monthly donation, other options are available, including one-time or recurring special donations. These can support supplying drinking water to children and families in the Philippines, renovating orphanage bathrooms to provide warm running water for children to shower in Vietnam, building handicapped-accessible playgrounds in South Korea, and providing scholarships to poor, rural children living in remote areas of China, among other needs.

Since 1964, these programs have helped more than two million children around the world. As Ms. Carroll says, “One woman with one vision helped over two million lives.”

During the time Ms. Buck lived there, Green Hills Farm welcomed many visitors across a wide spectrum, including writers, artists, composers, philanthropists, civil rights leaders, religious leaders, and politicians, points out Ms. Carroll.

“Pearl had a powerful pen, and she also reached out to people in other ways, through speaking engagements and personal contact. She saw things that were wrong, and went home and acted. She could persuade people to help her cause. And she had such prominent friends as James Michener and Oscar Hammerstein, who lived in the area, among many others.”

Ms. Buck was a long-time advocate of cross-cultural understanding, women’s rights, and racial harmony. As early as 1940, she was a vocal supporter of the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S.

The Pearl S. Buck House, a national landmark, promotes the legacy of Ms. Buck by preserving and interpreting her home to educate and develop multi-cultural appreciation, opportunities for children and families, and worldwide partnerships.

“I am so pleased to have the house open again,” says Ms. Carroll. “Ms. Buck’s presence and energy are still here. This is a living legacy. We are continuing what she started.”

The Pearl S. Buck House is one of 10 national historic landmarks in honor of a woman that has an intact collection, she adds. “Everything is as it was when she lived here, including her clothing. We have an Awards Room, featuring photos and many of the awards and honors she received, including the Nobel Prize, the Pulitzer Prize, gifts from presidents and world leaders, hoods from the 16 universities, including Yale, Howard, and Rutgers, which awarded her honorary degrees.”

Also on display is the manual Royal typewriter on which she typed The Good Earth and a paperback copy of The Good Earth from 1938, the first paperback to be published.

Ms. Carroll is very pleased about a new discovery that will eventually be added to the collection. “An unpublished manuscript has been discovered in Texas. It is a novel, The Internal Wonder, and the last one she wrote before she died in 1973. It’s planned for publication in October.”

Pearl S. Buck International sponsors many events, as well as tours of the House and the grounds. The 1827 red barn, now the Cultural Center, is used for corporate retreats and meetings. A permanent tent is available for special occasions, including weddings, proms, and other events.

A “Woman of the Year” award is another tradition, and honors a woman who exhibits the humanitarian efforts exemplified by Pearl S. Buck.

Award-winning gardens surround the House, and the water garden was designed by Ms. Buck. In addition, her gravesite is on the grounds.

A gift shop offers a wide range of items and souvenirs, including many which are Asian-inspired. Scarves, one-of-a-kind jewelry, rice china, books and more are all on display. A special corner features a variety of specialties for children.

Holiday tours and seasonal events, writing workshops, tours for groups, including school children, are available, and there are even reading group opportunities, notes Ms. Carroll. “If book clubs read a Pearl Buck book, it would be a great addition for their understanding to come here for a tour. Also, we offer box lunches and we have a tremendous amount of educational resources on our website. We have a grant from Wells Fargo so that local kids can come to visit. There are 22,000 visitors each year.”

New this year are Chinese and Korean Culture Camps. For children entering kindergarten through sixth grade, the camps will explore the culture and traditions of China and Korea, focusing on language, arts and crafts, sports and games, music and dance, food, and history.

Ms. Carroll continues to be inspired by Pearl S. Buck and the opportunity to focus on work that supports her legacy. “There are so many layers to this work. It is truly a global message. I was so inspired by a meeting held here before I came to work at Pearl S. Buck International. and I continue to be inspired. I look forward to encouraging people to come and see us. It’s a wonderful day trip. You can plan on being here two hours, taking the guided tour, which includes wonderful anecdotes, walking on the grounds, and enjoying the beautiful setting.”

Tours are available Tuesday through Saturday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.; Sunday at 1 and 2. Groups of 10 or more need to make a reservation. Buffet or boxed lunch options are available. For further information, call (215) 249-0100. Website: www.pearlsbuck.org.