This oral history interview with Reverend Paul S. Wright was conducted by E. Paul Hovey at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, on January 17, 1980. In this interview, Wright discusses his family background and early life as the child of missionaries in Persia, which is now known as Iran. He also talks about the political situation in Iran at the time of the interview in 1980. He briefly talks about his service in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in France during World War I, then discusses his reasons for attending McCormick Seminary. He talks about serving as a Presbyterian minister in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Oklahoma. He then speaks about serving as minister at the First Presbyterian Church in Portland, including the acquisition of the land for the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center. He describes his service as moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, including his work on behalf of refugees. He closes the interview by talking about books he wrote and his involvement with Lewis and Clark College, and he shares his thoughts about the future of the Presbyterian Church.

This oral history interview with Reverend John T. Conner was conducted by E. Paul Hovey in Portland, Oregon, on January 24, 1980. In this interview, Conner discusses his family background and early life on a farm in Iowa. He talks about his reasons for entering the Presbyterian clergy and about his education at McCormick Seminary. He shares his experiences serving as a pastor and starting a family in Detroit, Michigan, then serving as a minister in New Mexico. He then talks about moving to Oregon and serving as a campus minister at Westminster House at Oregon State University. He speaks at length about his experience as moderator of the General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church, and also discusses his work relating to world hunger and world peace. He also talks about his recent heart surgery. He closes the interview by sharing his thoughts about the future of the United Presbyterian Church.

This oral history interview with Gene L. Brendler was conducted by Kathleen D. Walsh at KPTV Studios in Portland, Oregon on February 26, 1982, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Brendler briefly discusses his early life and career before he moved to Portland in 1947. He talks about the history of KPTV, and speaks at length about his broadcasting career with that station, including his role as emcee for the musical variety program "See Here," hosting a localized version of "American Bandstand" called "High Time," and working as public affairs director. He discusses how broadcasting changed during his career, talks about how cable TV has affected local programming, and shares his opinion regarding increased diversity in television broadcasting. He closes the interview by talking about people he worked with, and by describing some of his photographs.

This oral history interview with Chuck Foster and Betty Foster was conducted by Kathleen D. Walsh in Portland, Oregon, on March 6, 1982, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, the Fosters discuss their early lives and how they met at Washington State University, and talk about their activities during World War II. Chuck Foster discusses his early career as a radio journalist for KIT in Yakima, Washington, and talks about the difference between radio and television reporting. Betty Foster describes the process of producing photographs and film for local news television. The Fosters discuss the news television shows that they created, produced, and broadcasted in Portland in the 1950s, first on a local UHF television station and then on KOIN-TV. Betty Foster shares her experiences as one of the only women in television broadcasting from 1953 to 1959, and talks about her career as a teacher at Grant High School in Portland. The Fosters talk about how broadcasting changed during their TV careers, about some of the news stories they covered, and about some of the people they met during their careers.

These reminiscences by Robin Latta were recorded in Newport News, Virginia, around 1972. The introduction was added by Katharine W. Latta at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, on March 25, 1981.

In these reminiscences, Latta discusses his education at Cady Music Education School and Catlin Gabel School in early 20th-century Portland.

This oral history interview with Frank Branch Riley was conducted by Tom Vaughan on January 5, 1972. In this interview, Riley discusses the history of the University Club of Portland, Oregon. He describes the three buildings that housed the club, and shares stories about events and public figures hosted by the club. He shows photographs and event programs to Vaughan, and talks about them. He closes the interview by talking about financial difficulties that the club faced during the Depression.

This oral history interview with Jesalee Fosterling was conducted by Roberta Watts in Portland, Oregon, on April 11, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Fosterling discusses her early involvement with the Portland chapter of Planned Parenthood. She talks about funding the clinic, discusses Oregon's birth control laws, and describes opposition to the work of Planned Parenthood. She talks about the daily operations of Planned Parenthood, about the types of birth control and other services the organization provides, and about its staff. She closes the interview by discussing the future of birth control.

This oral history interview with Reverend Clarence T. Abbott was conducted by Roberta Watts at the William Temple House in Portland, Oregon, on July 6, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Abbott discusses his family background and early life in Alameda, California. He shares his reasons for entering the Episcopalian priesthood and serving in the Chaplain Corps during World War II, talks about his experiences at divinity school in Denver, Colorado, and discusses his early parish work in California and Oregon. He speaks at length about his work as a priest and mental health counselor at William Temple House.

This oral history interview with Sister Mary Emerentia was conducted by Roberta Watts at the Marylhurst Education Center in Portland, Oregon, on June 29, 1979, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Sister Mary Emerentia discusses her life as a Catholic nun with the Sisters of the Holy Names in Portland, Oregon. She shares her reasons for becoming a nun, and speaks at length about playing and teaching the harp. She talks briefly about the history of Marylhurst College, and closes the interview by discussing her fellow teachers.

This oral history interview with Patty J. Jacobsen was conducted by Roberta Watts in Portland, Oregon, on June 28, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society's oral history program. In this interview, Jacobsen discusses the reasons for the recent failure of a ballot measure to create a levy to fund Portland parks and neighborhood associations. She speaks about her involvement with the Community Care Package Committee campaign, which worked to pass the levy, and talks about finding alternative funding sources. She also speaks about the rise of anti-tax sentiment at the time of the interview. She describes her role as director of the Office of Neighborhood Associations. She closes the interview by talking about the importance of neighborhood associations, and about how she became involved in them.

This oral history interview with Harold W. Bernard was conducted by Roberta Watts at Bernard's home in Cedar Mills, Oregon, on December 1, 1977, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Bernard discusses his career as a psychology professor and an author. He talks about some of the psychology textbooks he wrote. He shares his thoughts about the use of drugs in psychological treatment, medicine, and recreation; talks about the relationship between the women's movement and the rise in divorce rates in the 1970s; and describes the changes in psychiatric treatment and diagnosis over the 20th century. He also speaks about popular anxieties about overpopulation, talks about the importance of higher education, and shares his thoughts about public school teachers. He closes the interview by discussing his retirement activities.

This oral history interview with Hung V. Tran was conducted by Allyson Harper at Tran's office in the Hawthorne Fred Meyer Pharmacy in Portland, Oregon, from August 6-28, 1998, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. The interview was conducted in four sessions. An index of topics discussed in the interview is available.

In the first interview session, conducted on August 6, 1998, Tran discusses his family background and early life in Hanoi, Vietnam, including his experiences at École Puginer, a Catholic French school. He describes how his life changed after the partition of Vietnam in 1954. He talks about his life in Saigon, South Vietnam, and shares his experiences at a boarding school in Thủ Đức, and at Taberd Saigon High School. He discusses the practice of Catholicism and Confucianism in Vietnam, and talks about the privileges and responsibilities that came with being the oldest son. He shares his reasons for studying pharmacology in college.

In the second interview session, conducted on August 13, 1998, Tran further discusses his life in Saigon and his experiences at Taberd Saigon High School. He talks about the economic, colonial, and political history of Vietnam in the early 20th century leading to the Vietnam War, and discusses the views held by the people of South Vietnam towards the United States government. He shares his experiences studying pharmacology in college and talks about his experiences as a pharmacist at a hospital in Saigon during the Vietnam War.

In the third interview session, conducted on August 24, 1998, Tran continues to discuss his experiences as a pharmacist at a hospital in Saigon during the Vietnam War. He describes the devastation wrought upon the Vietnamese people and landscape by U.S. involvement in the war, shares his thoughts about the U.S. military strategy, and discusses the U.S. withdrawal from South Vietnam in 1973. He also talks about his marriage and about raising a family.

In the fourth and final interview session, conducted on August 28, 1998, Tran discusses his life in Vietnam under the Communist government after the fall of Saigon in 1975, and also describes how many members of his family escaped the country with U.S. help. He talks about being forced to take re-education classes and about food rationing. He describes attempting to escape with his family by boat in 1979 and about their capture. He speaks at length about his experiences in prison as an "enemy of the people" from 1979 to 1981. He talks about the reasons for his release in 1981, about his work as a researcher at the Vietnam Institute of Science in Saigon, and about the experiences of his family during his imprisonment. He closes the interview by describing the family's plans to escape Vietnam in 1987.

This oral history interview with Lynne E. Scott was conducted by an unidentified woman in May 1978. In this interview, Scott shares her memories of life in Brownsville, Oregon, from 1900 to 1909. She talks about her education and her recreational activities. She describes the houses her family lived in, and downtown Brownsville. She talks about her marriage to David Sterling and about their life in Cottage Grove. She also speaks about her family's journey from Nebraska to Oregon in 1898.

This oral history interview with Cherie Hiser was conducted by Jim Morris on December 6, 1981. The interview was conducted as research for an article in an unidentified publication. In this interview, Hiser discusses her work as a photographer and talks about her technique. She speaks at length about her photography projects at the time of the interview, including portraits of gay men and tattooed people. She also discusses her self-portrait photography, and about her plans for future photography projects. She talks about learning to fly, about decorating her home, and about the health of her parents. She also discusses using photography as therapy. She describes taking her first photography class from Minor White; discusses her early photography work, including working as a newspaper photographer; and talks about her marriage to David Hiser, as well as some of her other relationships.

These brief oral history interviews were conducted by Jim Strassmaier from February 2 to March 8, 1984, with several members of a personal study group at Calaroga Terrace, a senior living community in Portland, Oregon. The interviewees, Louise McKinney, Edris E. Becker, Catherine S. Walyer, and Ruth E. Murphy, were residents of the community. Strassmaier conducted the interviews while developing methodology for the Oregon Historical Society oral history program. In these interviews, the interviewees look at photographs; discuss their family backgrounds; and talk about their experiences during the Depression.

This oral history interview with Barbara A. Mackenzie was conducted by Katy Barber at Mackenzie's home in Portland, Oregon, from September 27, 1999, to June 1, 2001. Barbara Mackenzie's son, Thomas R. Mackenzie, and Jan Dilg were also present during the sessions recorded in 2001. The interview was conducted in four sessions. The first part of session one was not recorded.

In the first interview session, conducted on September 27, 1999, Mackenzie discusses working as a teacher in Oregon and California, including working with marginalized groups in the San Francisco Bay Area and opposition she faced. She also talks about her work with the Red Cross in Virginia. She speaks about her role in relocating members of the Warm Springs, Yakama, Umatilla, and Nez Perce tribes during the building of The Dalles Dam at Celilo Falls. She talks about her relationship with Chief Tommy Thompson and Flora Cushinway Thompson of the Wyam people and shares stories about the Wyam way of life. She also talks about her work with Navajo people near Palm Springs, California.

In the second interview session, conducted on September 30, 1999, Mackenzie continues discussing her role in the relocation of members of the Warm Springs, Yakama, Umatilla, and Nez Perce tribes. She talks about her relationship with Flora Cushinway Thompson of the Wyam people, some of her advocacy on behalf of indigenous people, and where she felt the local authorities were neglecting indigenous people's needs. She also talks about Temmingway Moses, a Yakama woman who tended a cemetery near the Maryhill Museum in Washington; the attitudes of the population at The Dalles towards Native Americans; and her working relationship with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She talks about Abe Sholoway, a Umatilla man who acted as interpreter; her efforts to get Native American marriages legally recognized; and attending the Pendleton Round-Up. She also talks about the processes of the relocation project and how she got involved. She shares her opinion about assimilation and the U.S. government's practice of tribal termination. She talks about her brother, Ralph Tudor, who served as undersecretary of the Interior under President Dwight D. Eisenhower and worked as an engineer on the Bay Bridge and Bay Area Rapid Transit in the San Francisco Bay Area. She also discusses some of her secretaries and revisits the topics of working as a teacher with marginalized groups in California and her work with the Red Cross in Virginia. She then talks about serving as executive for the Red Cross in Lincoln County, Oregon.

In the third interview session, conducted on January 16, 2001, Mackenzie discusses her family background and her early life and education in Sutherlin, Oregon. She also talks about the career of her brother, Ralph Tudor. She discusses her education at St. Mary's Academy and at Lincoln High School in Portland, her relationship with her mother, and her first teaching job near Bend. She talks about her college experiences at Western College for Women (now known as the Western Campus of Miami University) and at the Oregon Normal School (now known as Western Oregon University).

In the fourth interview session, conducted on June 1, 2001, Mackenzie discusses serving as executive for the Red Cross in Lincoln County, including organizing blood drives and working with veterans. She closes the interview by describing the town of Newport.

Collection consists of 34 photographs of scenes in Portland, Oregon, and of Vancouver and Longview, Washington, taken or collected by Charles Oluf Olsen between 1924 and 1931. Olsen used many of the photographs in this collection to illustrate features he wrote for the Oregonian, Oregon Journal, and other publications. Subjects depicted in the collection include: photographs of an encampment of unhoused people under the north end of the Interstate Bridge in Vancouver, Washington, circa 1930; Lone Fir cemetery in Portland, Oregon, circa 1927; the William Sargent Ladd residence; the 1930 Longview, Washington, Rolleo log rolling competition; and Burnside street, circa 1924, showing the Volunteers of America Mission, Oregon Labor Industry offices, Ericson’s Saloon, and the House of All Nations Saloon.

This oral history interview with Ann Mary Bohrer was conducted by Patricia Keith at the Troutdale Airport in Troutdale, Oregon, on May 12, 1980, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Bohrer discusses her early interest in aviation, and that of her brother, Walt Bohrer, including hanging out at the Vancouver Airport and taking flying lessons in Portland from Tex Rankin and Hans Mirow. She shares her experiences as a woman pilot trainee in the 1920s and 1930s. She talks about doing stunt flying, about doing parachute jumps, and about close calls she experienced while flying. She closes the interview by discussing the changes in planes during her time as an aviator.

Collection consists of typescript and manuscript correspondence and reminiscences recorded by T. A. Wood from approximately 1890-1902. The reminiscences include typescript copies of accounts by Wood regarding his work as a Methodist minister between 1858 and 1876 and his time serving as a chaplain for the Union Army in Illinois during the Civil War between 1861 and 1862. also included are typescript and manuscript copies of his account of involvement in advocacy to admit the first Black children into Portland public schools which resulted in the establishment of a segregated school for Black students. Also included is a letter written by Wood in 1902 containing reminiscences about his involvement in conflicts with Native peoples, which contains a list of engagement details for Indian War Veterans. The collection also contains a 1902 manuscript copy of an undated letter from E. H. Lenox to Wood requesting the names of members of an 1843 wagon train and relating a story concerning rescuing a man from drowning.

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'.

One blackline photocopy sheet of plans for the revenue cutter Joe Lane, built in Baltimore, Maryland, 1851. Includes cross section, top view, midship section, sail plan, and table of principal dimensions.

Plans of a sidewheel steamer, Oneonta. The plans may be a depiction of the steamer Oneonta built in 1863 and operated by the Oregon Steam Navigation Company, but features in the plans differ from contemporary photographs of that steamboat. It is unknown whether the drawings are originals or later reproductions. The drawings consist of 3 plans on 1 sheet: a top view, a side view, and a plan of the pilot house and rooms. Sheet is stamped: "Oregon Historical Society - Portland, Oregon / from collection of L. C. Hosford."

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."

Collection consists of 6 plans on 4 sheets of the sternwheel steamer Hassalo. The drawings include a side view of the Hassalo; a plan of the freight deck; a lines plan, with cross sections, labeled as being taken from a model of the steamer made by John Gates; and a cross section. Three of the sheets are stamped: "Oregon Historical Society - Portland, Oregon / from collection of L. C. Hosford." It is unknown whether the plans are original drawings or later reproductions.

The collection consists of two lithograph illustrations and two watercolor illustrations of buildings in Portland, Oregon, designed by architect Isaac Hodgson, Jr. The watercolors depict the entrance and the tower for the Chamber of Commerce building, one lithograph depicts the Chamber of Commerce building between SW 3rd Avenue and SW 4th Avenue, and one lithograph depicts the entrance to a proposed United Bank building. The United Bank lithograph is from a drawing by W. E. Donovan, while all other works were drawn or painted by J. Anderson. Both lithographs were printed by the Heliotype Printing Company of Boston, Massachusetts, and appeared in the September 26, 1891 and August 27, 1892 issues of "American Architect and Building News."

Collection includes: Plans and blueprints for buildings in Oregon, 1963-1967. Willard Kenneth Martin (1930-1985) was a Portland Architect who is best known for his design of the Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland, Oregon.

Plans and specifications for residences and buildings primarily for Reed College and Meier & Frank in Portland, Oregon, 1908-1915. Doyle and Patterson was a Portland, Oregon architectural firm.

Collection includes: 1 rendering on 1 sheet of the Failing Building at SW 5th ave. and SW Alder St., delineated by Mr. Wilding, ca. 1907-1913. The building was used by Gevurtz Furniture Store. It was built in 1907 and more stores were added 1912-1913.