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Steamship R. R. Thompson plans

  • Mss 4051
  • Collection
  • Circa 1878 - Circa 1950

Collection consists of 14 plans on 8 sheets of the steamer R. R. Thompson, which was originally designed by John Gates. It is unknown whether the plans are original or are later reproductions; they include writing in at least two different hands. Drawings include plans of top and side views; a plan of the freight deck lowerhouse, skylight, and texas; a plan of the cabin deck; engine plans; boiler plans; mechanical plans; and a plan of the piston head and rings. Some sheets are stamped: "Oregon Historical Society - Portland, Oregon / from the collection of L. C. Hosford."

Battleship Oregon plans

  • Mss 4062
  • Collection
  • 1893

Collection consists of 13 blueprint plans on 6 sheets of the battleship Oregon, built by the Union Iron Works, San Francisco, California, 1893, scale: 1/16" : 1' to 1" : 1'.

Lorenzo Lorain letters, 1855-1968

  • Mss 417
  • Collection
  • 1855-1968

Collection consists of twenty-one autographed letters written by Lorenzo Lorain between 1855 and 1861. The letters contain descriptions of Lorain's military service, including yellow fever epidemics, the forced removal of Native peoples from the western region of the Oregon Territory to the Coast Reservation, and his photography. The letters are addressed from West Point Academy, Aspinwall, Fort Dalles, San Francisco, Fort Walla Walla, Fort Umpqua, and Camp Day near the Klamath Basin. The correspondents include Lorain's father, Dr. Henry Tilden Lorain, and his sisters, Mary Jane Ashman and Martha (Merty) Eliza Lorain. Also included in the collection are biographical research notes and correspondence concerning Lorenzo Lorain and Edward Perry Vollum, collected by Nancy A. Hacker between 1958 and 1968.

Digitized materials available online in OHS Digital Collections consists of the original correspondence written by Lorain between 1855 and 1861 in folder 1 of Mss 417.

Undigitized materials available for use at the Oregon Historical Society research library include research notes and correspondence collected by Nancy A. Hacker between 1958 and 1968 in folder 2 of Mss 417.

Abigail Scott Duniway papers

  • Mss 432
  • Collection
  • 1852-1915

Writer, pioneer, editor, and champion of women's suffrage, Abigail Scott Duniway was born in Groveland, Illinois, in 1834. One of her brothers, Harvey Scott, would become the editor of the Oregonian. The Scott family traveled overland to Oregon in 1852, a trip on which Abigail's mother and youngest brother died. The family came first to Oregon City, then settled in Lafayette. Abigail taught school at Eola, and in 1853 she married Benjamin C. Duniway, with whom she had four children. After her husband was incapacitated in an 1862 accident, Duniway supported her family through teaching and a millinery business in Albany, Oregon. After moving to Portland in 1871 she published and edited The new northwest and became Oregon's leading advocate of women's suffrage. She moved to Idaho in 1887 and helped to achieve women's voting rights there in 1896. After returning to Oregon she was instrumental in the passage of Oregon's own women's suffrage bill in 1912. Her writings include the autobiography Path Breaking (1914) and the novel Captain Gray's Company.

The collection, which represents only a small portion of Duniway's papers, includes: the records of the Oregon State Equal Suffrage Association, including minute book, membership and account books, constitutions, a small amount of correspondence, and a copy of a letter from Susan B. Anthony regarding the woman's suffrage movement; and records of the Duniway Publishing Company, consisting of cash, mailing and advertising ledgers (1880-1886) of the publication The new northwest. Also included in the collection is a copy of a typed transcript of Duniway's journal kept during her family's overland trek from Illinois (1852 April 2) to Oregon City, Oregon (1852 September 28), on which her mother and younger brother died. The transcript contains an introduction by Leslie M. Scott. A subscription list from the Oregon State Secular Union from 1891 can also be found in the collection.

Duniway, Abigail Scott, 1834-1915

Camp Watson, Oregon sketch, 1865

  • Mss 5279
  • Collection
  • 1865

A single pencil sketch of Camp Watson, Oregon dated to 1865. The First Regiment Oregon volunteer Cavalry maintained Camp Watson from 1864 to 1869 during the conflict with members of the Bannock, Shoshoni, and Paiute peoples known as the Snake War.

Watercolor sketch of the ship Lausanne, 1839

  • Mss 5285
  • Collection
  • 1838

Watercolor sketch of the ship Lausanne painted by missionary Hamilton Campbell during his journey by ship from New York to Oregon in 1839. The collection also includes a typescript document signed by Ben Campbell Holladay explaining the provenance of the painting.

Campbell, Hamilton, 1812-1863

Alice E. Wilson sketchbook

  • Mss 5286
  • Collection
  • 1898 - 1899

Sketchbook, 1 vol., August 1898-August 1899, filled with charcoal sketches of houses and scenery on the Oregon Coast including: Garibaldi, Tillamook and Seaside.

Wilson, Alice E.

Cracker Eagle Gold Mining Company records

  • Mss 55
  • Collection
  • 1903-1905

Collection consists of corporate records for the Cracker Eagle Gold Mining Company, operating in Baker County, Oregon. Records date from 1903 to 1905 and include expense accounts, business transactions, and stockholders' correspondence.

Cracker Eagle Gold Mining Company

J.H. Horner Papers, 1889-1985

  • Mss 6031
  • Collection
  • 1889 - 1985

The collection consists principally of the typescript (with corrections in hand) of Horner's work, Wallowa River and Valley, dealing with regional history, as well as the Nez Percé Indians. Other papers include correspondence (ca. 1889-1985); legal documents (1898-1931); patents for window construction (1921-1922); and manuscript materials (undated). Horner's main correspondent is Otis Halfmoon, a Catholic Nez Percé who assisted with the author's manuscript. The collection also includes a list of other contributors that assisted Horner in his research

Horner, J. H., 1870-1953

Columbia Rediviva collection

  • Mss 957
  • Collection
  • 1785-1852

The collection consists of correspondence, journals, ship logs, administrative records, and ink sketches relating to the ship Columbia Rediviva. A mix of original materials and reproductions are present. Among the originals are: the journal of John Hoskins, written during the Columbia's journey around the world in 1791-1792; the journal of George Barrell, 1806, written on board the brig Venus from Boston to Malaga, and on the schooner Louisiana from Malaga to New York; Barrell's account of stores on board the Columbia, 1792-1793; letters of Joseph Barrell to Samuel Webb, 1785-1801, and to John Hoskins, 1790; letters from Colburn Barrell and Robert Haswell, 1801; owner's accounts, 1787-1793; accounts of the Columbia and Lady Washington, 1787-1790; receipts; and four ink sketches by George Davidson depicting incidents in the voyages of the Columbia.

The reproductions held in this collection include the journals of Robert Haswell and Owen Smith, 1787-1789; and a file of receipts and other papers concerning outfitting of the Columbia, 1790 (on microfilm). Also included are publications of Robert Gray's wife Martha's petition to congress for a pension and memorial, 1848-1852.

Northwest Power Planning Council Oral History Project

  • NWPPC
  • Collection
  • 1998-05-21 - 2004-05-26

This series of interviews was conducted by Michael O'Rourke and Jim Strassmaier as part of the Oregon Historical Society oral history program, beginning in 1998. The purpose of this oral history project was to document the history and purpose of the Northwest Power Planning Council, which is now known as the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.

The Northwest Power Planning Council is a four-state regional planning body formed by Congress through the Northwest Power Act of 1980 to develop and maintain regional conservation and electric power plans and a fish and wildlife program. The council is composed of two representatives from each member state: Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. The mission of the council is "to preserve the benefits of the Columbia River for future generations." The body was originally known as the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council; the name was shortened to Northwest Power Planning Council in October 1981, and in 2003, the name was changed to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.

Northwest Power Planning Council (U.S.)

OHS Maps Collection

  • OHS Maps
  • Collection
  • 1500 - ?

The OHS Maps Collection contains over 25,000 maps that focus on Western exploration and the Oregon Territory. Available types of maps include those of the Oregon Territory, the state, cities and counties, and special subjects such as mining, forestry, railroads, coasts and rivers, soils, farmlands, land claims, Native Americans and explorations.

Oregonian glass negatives

  • Org Lot 139
  • Collection
  • 1850-1930

This collection consists of glass negatives taken by photographers for the Portland, Oregon based newspaper, The Oregonian. Most of the photographs in this collection are undated but the bulk of the photographs are believed to be taken between 1890 and 1920.

Oregonian (Firm)

Photograph albums of Umpqua River Jetty construction and Brubaker aerial survey of Northwest coast

  • Org Lot 1424
  • Collection
  • 1926 - 1947

Collection consists of two albums containing photographs of the Pacific coastline taken between 1926 and 1947. The albums were designated Albums 452 and 453 by the Oregon Historical Society Research Library. Album 452 was created between 1926 and 1939 and contains aerial photographs of the Oregon and Washington coasts taken by Brubaker Aerial Surveys. The photographs begin at Willapa Bay and continue south to the mouth of the Chetco River. Album 453 was created between 1933 and 1947 and contains photographs of the construction of the Umpqua River jetties in Reedsport, Oregon. The north jetty was constructed in 1919 and reconstructed in 1947. The south jetty was constructed in 1934 and 1935. Album 453 includes at least one aerial photograph by Brubaker Aerial Surveys and at least two photographs taken by John Stilanos. This collection may be of interest to individuals researching aerial photography and surveys, the Oregon and Washington coasts, and the construction of the Umpqua River jetties.

Joe's Bicycle Repair Shop photographs

  • Org. Lot 1003
  • Collection
  • 1912-1926

This collection includes 56 black and white copy prints of photographic materials depicting five locations of Joe's Bicycle Repair Shop and various cycling activities of Joseph S. Brown in Portland, Oregon, from 1913-1926. Several other photographs depict Brown and others engaged in fishing and camping, as well as riding motorcycles. Brown's daughters, Ellen and Virginia, are also pictured with him during Cycle Trades Field Day celebrations.

The photographs in this collection were copied from an album assembled by Charles Bruce and from loaned negatives. Many of the photographs in the album came from Brown's granddaughter, Shannon Barker.

A background file is also included in the collection, consisting of copies of newspaper and magazine articles, correspondence, Brown's inventions, and other material on Brown and his bicycle business.

Fort Walla Walla, Washington Territory photograph

  • Org. Lot 1030
  • Collection
  • 1859

This collection consists of one photograph of Fort Walla Walla, taken May 1, 1859. The photograph was originally owned and may have been taken by Frederick Tracy Dent. This photograph depicts the fort's fourth location, which was constructed between 1857 to 1858, and shows several of the fort's buildings.

Dent, Frederick T. (Frederick Tracy), 1820-1892

Spruce Production Division lantern slides

  • Org. Lot 1062
  • Collection
  • 1917-1919

Lantern slides depicting activities of the Spruce Production Division in Oregon and Washington State during World War I.

United States. War Department. Spruce Production Division

Gilliam Portrait Studio and Camera Shop negatives

  • Org. Lot 1275
  • Collection
  • 1930-1970

Collection consists of approximately 600 negatives used to produce photographic postcards. The photographs date from 1930 to 1970 and depict landmarks, city streets, storefronts, and tourist destinations across Oregon. A selection of places and events represented in this collection include Breitenbush Hot Springs, the Columbia River Gorge, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon Caves National Monument, The Pendleton Round-Up, Petersen Rock Garden, and Singing Springs Ranch. Also included are street scenes from cities and towns in all regions of the state.

Many of the negatives have original postcard series numbering and a photographer's signature written directly onto the film. Three photographers are represented in the collection; their signatures identify them only as Christian, Perkins, and Ellis. About 70 percent of the work in the collection is attributed to Christian. It is unknown whether the photographers were employed by the Gilliam Portrait Studio and Camera Shop. The studio was likely a purchaser or publisher of their negatives.

Gilliam Portrait Studio and Camera Shop

Al Monner news negatives

  • Org. Lot 1284
  • Collection
  • 1936-1974

The vast majority of this collection is made up of negatives created by Al Monner for the Oregon Journal. A small number of negatives were likely created by fellow Journal photographer Ralph Vincent, also for the Oregon Journal. While it's likely that almost all the negatives in this collection were created as part of Monner's work for the Journal, some images may also be his personal work. Most of the negatives are black and white, with a handful of color images taken in the 1950s and 1960s. A small selection of images from 1936 to 1938 were likely taken during Monner's time at the Oregonian newspaper. Large-format negatives from 1936 to 1959 have been processed and inventoried, while 35mm film from 1959 to 1974 remains unprocessed.

The photographs highlight over 30 years of current events in and around the Portland area, with a smaller number taken elsewhere in the state. Yearly events, such as the Portland Rose Festival and the Pendleton Round-Up, are featured prominently. A substantial number of images from the 1940s show Portland war efforts during World War II, featuring photographs of shipyards, soldiers, and rationing efforts at home. A small number of photographs also show early incarceration of Japanese Americans. Monner also frequently photographed dam-building efforts on the Columbia River at Celilo Village, The Dalles, and Bonneville.

Also included are photographs of accident scenes, fires, explosions, new building projects, sporting events, contest winners, and important national figures visiting the Portland area. Taken together, the collection displays the breadth of Monner's work as a photojournalist, covering the everyday to the exciting.

Monner, Al (Alfred Anthony), 1909-1998

Vanport flood photographs collection, 1948

  • Org. Lot 131
  • Collection
  • 1948

Photographs of the aftermath of the flood that destroyed Vanport, Or. on May 30, 1948. The images depict the damage to buildings, bridges, roadways, and other structures in both Vanport and Portland, Or. Includes postcards and snapshots, as well as photographs taken by the Camera Art Studio of Portland, Or.

Camera Art Studio (Portland, Or.)

Milwaukie Pastry Kitchen photographs and news clippings

  • Org. Lot 1311
  • Collection
  • 1977-1988

The collection consists of six photographs showing cakes made by the Milwaukie Pastry Kitchen, Hurtis Hadley decorating cakes, and wearing his Albertsons Bakery uniform after he closed the Pastry Kitchen. In addition to the photographs, there are 21 clippings from newspaper articles about Hurtis Hadley and Dorothy Hadley. Most of the clippings relate to the Pastry Kitchen, but some relate to Hurtis Hadley’s decorating mentor, Larry Powell, or to Hadley’s work at other bakeries. Materials range from 1977 to 1988.

Peninsula Industrial District photographs

  • Org. Lot 1341
  • Collection
  • 1915-1920

Collection consists of 39 black and white photographs mounted on cloth backing, which were originally bound in a booklet. The photographs depict scenes of the Peninsula Industrial District in North Portland, Oregon, and surrounding neighborhoods, between approximately 1915 and 1920. Stamped on the back of one image and the original booklet cover is the text: "Alfred A. Aya, Industrial Agent / Peninsula Industrial District / Corbett Building, Portland, Oregon." Most of the photographs depict mills, factories, and other industrial facilities, and include identifying information in the image. Identified places and businesses include the Coast Culvert & Flume Co.; the Columbia Sub-Station of the Portland Railway, Light, and Power Company; the L. Moore Dry Kiln Co.; the Livestock Exchange; the Millmade Construction Co.; the Monarch Mill; National Tank and Pipe Co.; the Nicolai Door Manufacturing Co.; North Portland Box Company facilities; the North Portland harbor; the Oregon Scouring Mills; the Pacific Cement Pipe Co.; the Porter-Scarpelli Macaroni Co.; Portland Stove Works; the Portland Union Stockyards; the Standifer shipyard; the Swift & Co. packing plant; the West Coast Box & Lumber Co.; and the Western Spar Co. The photographs also include unidentified residential scenes and buildings. The photographer or photographers are unidentified.

Portland Garden Club lantern slides

  • Org. Lot 1353
  • Collection
  • 1930-1940

Collection consists of 99 glass lantern slides depicting garden and nature scenes. The majority of the slides were created by George Stephenson for the Portland Garden Club in the 1930s. Subjects depicted include the Kerr Gardens, the Frank and Meier estates, urban gardens, suburban gardens, and country gardens. This collection may be of interest to individuals researching gardening in Portland.

Stephenson, George C., 1866-1940

Photographs of Vanport, Oregon, circa 1948

  • Org. Lot 1364
  • Collection
  • 1942 - 1948

Photographs of Vanport, Oregon before and after the flood of 1948, including images of Dale Skovgaard and his family, who lived there at the time.

Skovgaard, Dale

Gary Scott photographs collection

  • Org. Lot 1386
  • Collection
  • 1970-04-22

This collection contains black-and-white photoprints of images taken by Gary Scott on the occasion of Oregon Governor Tom McCall's visit with the students of Parkrose High School and Fremont Jr. High School, in Portland, on April 22, 1970. This marked the first celebration of Earth Day in Oregon. Those in attendance included personnel from both Parkrose High School and Fremont Junior High School.

Digital Collection consists of retouched high resolution scans created by Gary Scott from original prints.

Scott, Gary

Monteith family photograph collection, 1847-1854

  • Org. Lot 1388
  • Collection
  • 1847 - 1854

This collection is comprised of two (2) daguerreotypes showing portraits of brothers Thomas and Walter Monteith, who founded the town of Albany, Oregon, circa 1849. They traveled to Oregon from New York in 1847 and settled adjacent land claims, sharing a house which straddled the two claims.

Results 57 to 84 of 485