The fonds contains records pertinent to Lock Tin Lee’s functions as a KMT member, a public school educator, his personal life, and his overall involvement in organizations and affairs concerning the overseas Chinese. Lee’s records offer insight into the political aspirations of the Kuomintang amidst the backdrop of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Cold War, the Chinese Civil War, and beyond; the public education scene for Chinese Canadians in British Columbia; and the lived experiences of the overseas Chinese in 20th century Canada.
Records predominantly range from Lee’s earlier years in China in the 1920s until his death in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1980. Records include reports, correspondence, notebooks, receipts and invoices, maps, books and bound material, newspapers, greeting cards, song sheets, business cards, badges and memorabilia, stamps and plaques, photographs, poems, flag textiles, and more. Many of these records were created in British Columbia, Canada, but others were generated in the process of Lee’s travels to other countries (predominantly Taiwan) or were received by Lee from other individuals and organizations based outside of British Columbia or Canada. Some records were generated or received by Lee’s family members.
The fonds consists of five series: KMT, affiliated organizations and other associations; Personal records and relationships; Public school education; Personal library; and Photographs. Many of Lee’s records are functionally and thematically interrelated across the five series and between files.