Author Archives: edmunsot

Four Oral History Websites Released by SCARC!

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Four new oral history websites comprising more than 550 hours of content have been released by the Oral History Program at the Oregon State University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Research Center (SCARC). Three of these websites were built using open source resources that are available to other repositories seeking to provide online access to their own oral history collections.

OSU 150

The largest of these sites, The OSU Sesquicentennial Oral History Project, celebrates 150 years of OSU history by presenting 276 interviews conducted with OSU alumni, faculty, staff, current students and supporters. The project’s web portal is comprised of more than 400 hours of media and over 3.4 million words of transcription. About 1.8 TB of born-digital content were collected in building what is the largest oral history project ever conducted at Oregon State.

The vast majority of the interviews presented on the site were video recorded and all are contextualized with full-text transcripts, interview abstracts and biographical sketches. Users also have the option of sorting interviews by interviewee affiliation or interview theme, and are free to download .mp3 audio files of all interviews as well.

OHMS/Omeka Sites

In addition, three websites using a combination of the Oral History Metadata Synchronizer (OHMS) and the Omeka web publishing platform are also now available. These websites are:

All three of these websites utilize a combination of OHMS, the Omeka Seasons theme, the OHMSObject plug-in, and custom .css and .php modifications that have been released by the OSU Libraries on GitHub. Additional details on how the sites were created are provided in Technical Notes appended to each project.

For more information on any of these initiatives, please contact Chris Petersen, Senior Faculty Research Assistant in SCARC.

New finding aids for June!

Evelyn M. Raymond Photograph Album, circa 1920-1930

Evelyn M. Raymond Photograph Album, circa 1920-1930

We were busy in June! Here’s a list of the 10 new finding aids for SCARC collections that were finalized during June 2017.

Two of these guides are for components of the Gerald Williams Collection that were separated for description as discrete collections.

Four are for new collections received or created in 2015-2017; one of these is the large collection of aerial photographs of Benton County and 4 other nearby counties that have been transferred from the Libraries’ collections to SCARC. Three of these collections were previously not available to researchers. Three of the guides are for collections that previously had only preliminary or minimal descriptions available online. One is for a component of the University Publications (PUBS).

All of these materials are now available to researchers.

Components of the Gerald Williams Collection: 

Edward S. Curtis Photographs, 1900-1906 (P 333)

This collection consists of 3 photographic prints, acquired by Gerald W. Williams, that document aspects of Native American life between 1900 and 1926.  Curtis was known for his exceptional photography and his ethnological work that sought to document Native American groups and their cultures.

Gerald W. Williams Ephemera Collection, 1873-2008 (MSS WilliamsEphemera)

This collection consists of printed ephemera, documents, and objects assembled and acquired by Williams in the course of his work as a Forest Service sociologist and historian and due to his avocational interest in the history of forestry as a science and profession and the regional history of the Pacific Northwest.  Many of the materials in the collection were created or produced by the U.S. Forest Service.  Gerald Williams worked for the U.S. Forest Service from 1979 to 2005 as a sociologist (1979-1998) and historian (1998-2005).

 New collections received or created in 2015-2017:

Aerial Photographs of Benton, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, and Polk Counties, 1936-1979 (P 321)

These aerial photographs were taken by or under contract with the United States Department of Agriculture from 1936 to 1979 and include images of 5 counties in western Oregon.  The collection includes photo mosaics, which serve as indices to the images, and predominintly large (~24×24 inches) photographs.  These images were previously part of the OSU Libraries maps collection and were transferred to SCARC in 2016, The collection includes 8100 items.

Irish American Newspaper Clippings Scrapbook, 1830-1874 (MSS IrishAmerican)

This scrapbook is comprised of poems, articles, and speeches pertaining to domestic topics, the Irish American immigrant experience, Irish sociopolitical issues, and the Catholic faith. The creator of the scrapbook is not known.  The scrapbook was acquired in 2015.

Evelyn M. Raymond Photograph Album, circa 1920-1930 (P 332)

This album consists of 167 photographs assembled by Raymond as an adolescent living in rural Douglas County, Oregon.  The images depict family members and friends; recreational activities and excursions; and local industries such as farming, ranching, logging, and quarrying.  The album was purchased in 2015.

World War II Scrapbooks, 1942-1945 (MSS WW2Scrapbooks)

These scrapbooks consist of newspaper clippings collection by an unknown compiler located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  The collection is comprised of 13 scrapbooks with clippings spanning the period from September 1942 through September 1945.  The scrapbooks were acquired in 2016. 

University Publications (PUB):

 Science for Service, June 1926. From the Illustrated Booklets (PUB 488).

Science for Service, June 1926. From the Illustrated Booklets (PUB 488).

Illustrated Booklets, 1911-1930 (PUB 488)

These booklets were published by Oregon Agricultural College during the 1910s and 1920s to promote and publicize the College to potential students and Oregon residents.  The booklets include numerous photographs of the campus in Corvallis as well as students in laboratories and classrooms and participating in student activities.  This collection consists of 29 booklets, all of which are available online and searchable in Oregon Digital.

Collections that were previously described only minimally:   

Brewing and Fermentation Research Collection, 1891-2016 (MSS BFRC)

This artificial collection consists of materials documenting the history, growth, and culture of the Pacific Northwest brewing industry, including regional hops and barley farming, commercial craft and home brewing, and craft cider and mead.  This collection was originally established in 2014 as the Oregon Hops and Brewing Collection and was renamed in 2017 as part of the preparation of this guide.   The collection includes 2.7 Gbytes of born-digital materials.

Viola Gentle Papers, 1954-1959 (MSS Gentle)

This small collection is comprised of materials relating to Gentle’s experience as a survivor of the collection off the coast of Nantucket between the S.S. Andrea Doria (Italian Line) and the M.S. Stockholm (Swedish American Line) on July 25, 1956.  In addition to Gentle’s correspondence with the Captain of the Andrea Doria and fellow survivors, travel documentation, and newspaper clippings detailing the rescue efforts, the collection includes 1 photograph and an audiotape recording of an interview with Gentle.

USDA Northwest Cannery Survey Collection, 1914-1915 (MSS Cannery)

These materials pertain to a 1914 survey of fruit canneries in Oregon and Washington.  The survey was conducted by the USDA Office of Markets and Rural Organization in cooperation with Oregon Agricultural College.

New series on the Pauling Blog ~ serological properties of simple substances

Linus Pauling, 1942

Linus Pauling, 1942

Check out the first three posts in a series investigating Pauling’s work on the serological properties of simple substances on the Pauling Blog!

Part one looks at The Serological Properties of Simple Substances

Part two looks at Analyzing Precipitation Reactions Between Simple Substances

Part three looks at A Period of Rapid Advancement in Pauling’s Immunological Work

What’s been going on in SCARC this month? A lot

Those who watch our events calendar or follow us on Facebook know that there’s been a lot going on for us this spring. Play readings, campus tours, public talks, sunshine, lots of classes. It’s been fun and busy!

Pride Week 2017 saw an April 25 panel discussion at the Native American Longhouse Eena Haws called “Consent is A-sexy and Required: Healthy Relationships with Asexual and Aromantic People.”

The OMA was also featured in the OLA Quarterly in an article called “Las Historias de Latinos en Oregón: Canby, Oregón An Oral History Project Collaboration Between A Librarian and an Archivist.”

There are two blog posts on The Pauling Blog about Pauling’s relationship working with Daisaku Ikeda, a resident of Tokyo and the son of a seaweed farmer, witnessed first-hand the devastation that two nuclear bombs wrought upon his homeland.

Great news! All of the color slides and transparencies that were scanned and described from the Beaver Yearbook photos are now live. There are about 225 total, all from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s.

Here are some of my favorites!

This front loader was clearing snow on Monroe Street in 1969. P003:1711

This front loader was clearing snow on Monroe Street in 1969. P003:1711

Dick Fosbury attended OSU from 1965-1969 and is remembered today as the inventor of the "Fosbury Flop" high jump technique. He won two national championships and an Olympic gold medal while revolutionizing the sport with his innovative approach to jumping higher. P003:2707

Dick Fosbury attended OSU from 1965-1969 and is remembered today as the inventor of the “Fosbury Flop” high jump technique. He won two national championships and an Olympic gold medal while revolutionizing the sport with his innovative approach to jumping higher. P003:2707

The Hall of Flags on the main concourse of the Memorial Union. P003:2474

The Hall of Flags on the main concourse of the Memorial Union. P003:2474

These dryers were likely part of the Seavey hops yards in the south part of Corvallis. P003:1757

These dryers were likely part of the Seavey hops yards in the south part of Corvallis. P003:1757

Student making a lithograph in a printmaking course. Art and several other social sciences and humanities subjects were approved as majors in 1966. P003:2952

Student making a lithograph in a printmaking course. Art and several other social sciences and humanities subjects were approved as majors in 1966. P003:2952

On the Road with Finley and Bohlman

Motoring across Alkali Flats, 1912. Org. Lot 369, Finley B0160.

Motoring across Alkali Flats, 1912. Org. Lot 369, Finley B0160.

Our year of working on the Reuniting Finley and Bohlman project is reaching its conclusion and to celebrate, we are taking our show on the road. Starting in two weeks, OHS staff are headed out east to share some of our favorite finds from the collections. Complete program details available at www.ohs.org/finley.

We hope that we will see you there!

On the Road with Finley and Bohlman
program tour schedule:

William L. Finley photographing beside his car near Island Ranch, Harney County, Oregon, 1919. Org. Lot 369, Finley D1991.

William L. Finley photographing beside his car near Island Ranch, Harney County, Oregon, 1919. Org. Lot 369, Finley D1991.

Burns
Presented by Laura Cray

Free and open to the public
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
6:30PM – 8PM

Harney County Library
80 West D Street
Burns, Oregon 97720

 

Finding Finley and Bohlman’s Wildlife Muses – A Malheur Refuge Outing

Follow in Finley and Bohlman’s footsteps Wednesday, April 26th on a self-guided tour of some of Harney County’s best birding hotspots. Guide maps will be handed out at the event Tuesday night and the Malheur Refuge Headquarters will be staffed with volunteers and refuge employees to answer questions from 8:00am to 4:00pm.


William L. Finley seated in front of an umbrella blind taking notes on the 1905 Klamath expedition with several small birds perched around his legs. Org. Lot 369, Finley A1600.

William L. Finley seated in front of an umbrella blind taking notes on the 1905 Klamath expedition with several small birds perched around his legs. Org. Lot 369, Finley A1600.

Klamath Falls
Presented by Laura Cray

Free and open to the public
Thursday, April 27, 2017
7PM – 8PM

Oregon Institute of Technology, College Union Auditorium
3201 Campus Drive
Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601

 

 

Finding Finley and Bohlman’s Wildlife Muses – A Lower Klamath Refuge Outing

Follow in Finley and Bohlman’s footsteps Friday, April 28th on a self-guided tour of some of the Klamath Basin’s best birding hotspots. Guide maps will be handed out at the event Tuesday night and the Refuge Headquarters at Tule Lake will be staffed with refuge employees to answer questions from 9:00am to 4:00pm.


Ellis Hadley (First in line), William L. Finley (center), and Herman Bohlman (last) wading pantsless through water to photograph a red-tailed hawk’s in 1902 near Portland, OR. Org. Lot 369, Finley A2652.

Ellis Hadley (First in line), William L. Finley (center), and Herman Bohlman (last) wading pantsless through water to photograph a red-tailed hawk’s in 1902 near Portland, OR. Org. Lot 369, Finley A2652.

Corvallis
Presented by Laura Cray and
Bob Sallinger

Free and open to the public
Saturday, May 13, 2017
6PM – 7:30PM

Willamette Room – Oregon State University Library
121 The Valley Library
Corvallis, Oregon 97331

 

Finding Finley and Bohlman’s Wildlife Muses – A Finley Refuge Outing

The William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge was named for the famous conservationist and photographer of the same name. Join USFWS staff and volunteers on an evening discovery outing while looking for the very species Finley and Bohlman captured and described in their photographs, writings and talks. We’ll finish just in time for you to enjoy a picnic meal out at the Tyee Winery bonfire event that night, just down the road. And the walk will set the stage for the Saturday evening event discussing the fascinating history and legacy of William L. Finley and Herman Bohlman – conservation leaders without whom we might not have this special wildlife refuge right out our backdoor.


Herman T. Bohlman and William L. Finley climbing up a the face of Shag Rock to photograph murres in 1903 at Three Arch Rocks, OR. Org. Lot 369, Finley A2520.

Herman T. Bohlman and William L. Finley climbing up a the face of Shag Rock to photograph murres in 1903 at Three Arch Rocks, OR. Org. Lot 369, Finley A2520.

Oceanside
Presented by Laura Cray and Bob Sallinger

Free and open to the public
Sunday, May 14, 2017
2PM – 3:30PM

Netarts Community Club
4949 Hwy SR131
Netarts, Oregon 97143

Finding Finley and Bohlman’s Wildlife Muses – A Three Arch Outing

May 14, 2017 3:30pm – 4:30pm

Cape Meares Scenic Viewpoint

Immediately following the main program, Join USFWS staff and volunteers on a discovery outing while looking for the very species Finley and Bohlman captured and described in their photographs, writings and talks. From the Cape Meares Scenic Viewpoint, visitors will be able to enjoy views of Three Arch Rocks and to learn about the seabirds protected at the refuge.


Herman T. Bohlman and A. W. Anthony photographing kingfishers in 1902 near Portland, OR. Org. Lot 369, Finley A2723.

Herman T. Bohlman and A. W. Anthony photographing kingfishers in 1902 near Portland, OR. Org. Lot 369, Finley A2723.

Portland
Presented by Laura Cray with guest panelists Bob Sallinger, Tom McAllister, and Worth Mathewson

Free and open to the public
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
6:30PM – 7:30PM

Oregon Historical Society
1200 SW Park Ave
Portland, Oregon 97205


Learn More

To see more, be sure to check up on the Reuniting Finley and Bohlman Collection on Oregon Digital throughout the year as additional materials are uploaded.

This blog series is part of a yearlong partnership between the Oregon Historical Society Research Library and Oregon State University Libraries Special Collections and Archives to digitize the Finley and Bohlman photograph and manuscript collections held by our libraries and to unite them online through Oregon Digital and the OHS Digital Collections website. Stay tuned in coming months for future installments about Finley, Bohlman, and their birding adventures around the state.

This project is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Oregon State Library.

Institute of Museum and Library Services LogoOregon Historical Society LogoOregon State University Logo

 

 

 

What’s new on the Brewstorian blog? Four new posts just in time for your weekend!

There’s been a flurry of activity on the Oregon Hops and Brewing Archives’ blog.

OHBA student worker Gillian wrote a thoughtful piece on doing research on women in the brewing industries, specifically in how tough it was for her to find meaningful statistics when I asked her to find some.

I spent most of this week in Washington, doing oral history interviews with Sybil Perkins and Robyn Schumacher in Seattle, and Ralph Woodall and Tom Carpenter in Yakima. I had a bit of time to kill between a meeting with Ralph Olson and Ann George, so I went in search of America’s First Brewpub.

Ivy Lin’s “Bitter Harvest” short documentary film is debuting May 3rd at 7:00PM at the Kennedy School in Portland. It is part of Oregon Humanities “This Land / Your Land, My Land” exhibit exploring land ownership issues in minority communities in Oregon, and her piece focuses on Chinese immigrants growing hops in the Willamette Valley from 1890-1930. There will be a panel discussion after the film and I’ll be talking about historical research and saving these stories.

Finally, Deschutes Brewery is hiring a summer intern to process and organize their company records. It’s a pretty awesome opportunity.

Food History Intern: discovering fermentables!

Edel Brau "It's the beer" 1907

Edel Brau “It’s the beer” 1907

The topic of fermentation is an interesting one, and there was a surprising amount of information about it here in the Valley Library. After a day or two of struggling of what to look up, it dawned on me to figure out what kinds of food can be fermented. I had always known about pickled eggs, sauerkraut, vinegar, etc., but it just never clicked in my head that “hey, those are fermented!”

Once I had the stroke of genius, it was easier to find information, and boy is there information about fermentation. Unsurprisingly, there’s a bit of information regarding fermentation in Food Microbiology, as well as a lot of overlap in terms of sources for the fermented food items. There’s also a lot of information about wine, beer, and cider. Mead was a difficult one that kept bringing up different people with the name Mead.

To help make searching for these things easier, I also made up a map of the general locations that have information on each of these fermentation topics and gave ideas of their call numbers.