The exhibition of the Vladimir Arseniev Museum of Far East History shows a tablecloth that belonged to Eleonor Pray.

Eleanor Pray was an American who spent 36 years of her life in Vladivostok. In 1894, together with her husband, she came to this port city to visit his sister Sarah, who was married to an American store owner Charles Smith. Eleanor became famous for the letters she wrote from Vladivostok, vividly and in detail describing the life, daily traditions and way of life in the city. Her texts became a remarkable part of the historical heritage of the region: she wrote almost 2,500 letters. Eleonora Pray also made a significant contribution to the historical heritage with the many photos she took during her stay in Vladivostok. The houses where the Pray and Smith families used to live are preserved in Pochtovy Lane in Vladivostok. An American store was also located there.

The young American woman, who happened to find herself on the very outskirts of the Russian Empire, wrote letters to her family and friends every day. Her epistolary legacy totals 16 thousand pages of text. With great love Eleonor describes the city, everyday life with all its sorrows and joys. Her youth passed here, her only daughter was born here. The best moments of her life were connected with Vladivostok. And at the same time Eleanor lived through the most difficult years and tragic events together with the city and country that gave her refuge: the Boxer Uprising, the Russo-Japanese War, the First World War and the Civil War. Having loved this region with all her soul, she stayed here as long as she could, clinging to the slightest hope for a return to her former life, and did not leave Vladivostok until 1930 on board a steamer sailing to Shanghai.

The house of Eleanor and Frederick Pray in Vladivostok was always open for guests. According to the established tradition, each of them was asked for their autograph on the tablecloth, which Eleonor then fixed with silk embroidery. The names of government officials, officers, businessmen, public figures and friends of the Pray family can be seen here. Many prominent citizens visited the Smiths’ house, including Otto Lindholm, Julius Ivanovich Briner, the Piankov brothers, Adolf Dattan, Gustav Albers and many others.