Archives West Finding Aid
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The Bertel (Bert) J. Olin Collection, 1924-1984
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Olin, Bertel J.
- Title
- The Bertel (Bert) J. Olin Collection
- Dates
-
1924-1984 (inclusive)19241984
- Quantity
- 1 box, (.5 cubic feet)
- Collection Number
- OLPb150OLI
- Summary
- This collection of materials relate mostly to life of Bertel (Bert) J. Olin. The focus of the materials is on Olin's time in the World War II camps for conscientious objectors in Oregon and Montana
- Repository
-
Lewis & Clark College, Special Collections and Archives
Aubrey R. Watzek Library
615 S. Palatine Hill Rd.
Portland, OR
97219
Telephone: 5037687758
Fax: 5037687282
archives@lclark.edu - Access Restrictions
-
This collection has no restrictions and is open for research.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Bert Olin was the fourth of nine children, born at Chinook, Washington in 1918. His parents moved from Finland to the Pacific Northwest during WWI. Like the rest of his family, Olin was as passionate about the outdoors, as he was for the fine arts, learning musical traditions from both his father and older brother. In the early 1920’s, the Olin family moved to Oregon, living first in Lost Lake and then in Eugene. Bert was a dare devil, with a particular interest in airplanes. Bert sold the family horse to a glue factory for three dollars, so he could purchase flying lessons, only to discover he was still too short to reach the airplane’s pedals.
During the Great Depression in the 1930’s, Bert worked in a Civilian Conservation Corps camp near Reedsport, Oregon. During WWII Olin declared himself a conscientious objector and was sent to a Civilian Public Service work camp. Olin worked both at fire watch duty and as a smoke jumper at Cascade Locks, Oregon and Missoula, Montana.
In 1946, Bert married Betty Adams and they adopted three children: Laurie, Susan, and Tony. Following their marriage, the Olin family moved to Toledo, Oregon where Bert worked as sub district manager for the Public Utility District. Bert also served as Toledo’s Port Commissioner, establishing the city’s airport and hospital. The Olin family then moved to Eugene where they started the Olin Construction Company. Bert continued to foster his passion for music while in Eugene, pursuing music training at the University of Oregon and working with Eugene High School. Bert participated in musical concerts at KGW radio station and sang with the Eugene orchestra. Olin died of a heart attack in 1974.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Includes sheet music, manuscript materials, publications, audio recordings (CD and casette), and video recordings (VHS). In addition to materials relating to Olin, the collection includes materials relating to some of Olin's fellow CPS camp members.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Permission to publish, exhibit, broadcast, or quote from materials in the Watzek Library Archives & Special Collections requires written permission of the Head of Archives & Special Collections.
Preferred Citation
The Bertel (Bert) J. Olin Collection (OLPb150OLI), Lewis & Clark College Aubrey Watzek Library Archives & Special Collections, Portland, Oregon.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
Arranged in a single series of items grouped by genre.
Location of Collection
Special CollectionsAcquisition Information
Donated by Don Chamberlin in 2013.
Processing Note
Processed in 2013.
Related Materials
See other collections related to the Civilian Public Service system at: http://digitalcollections.lclark.edu/exhibits/show/civilian-public-service-collec
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
1.1 | Vancouver Barracks, Civilian Coservation
Corps: Official Annual.
Given to Olin during his time in the CCC in Reedsport, Oregon.
|
1937 |
1.2 | Jaderborg family's Christmas
newsletters
Holiday newsletters and cards. Einar Jaderborg was in the Cascade Locks
Civilian Public Service Camp during World War II.
|
1950-1992 |
1.3 | Bert Olin's Memorial Service, Unitarian Chruch
of Eugene, OR
Typscript of Bert Olin obituary.
|
1974 |
1.4 | "The Farmer and the Snake"
Typescript of lyrics by Ambrose E. Gonzales.
|
1924 |
1.5 | "Blow Thou Winter Wind"
Sheet Music by Bill Shakespearg, Don Chamberlin, and Harry Prochaska for
piano and voice. Composed in the World War II Civilian Public Service
camps.
|
undated |
1.6 | Index of video recordings of CPS members,
"Conchie" made at Menucha, 1984
Interviews on the tapes include: M. Mayer, Chuck Ludwig, Don Smith, Rudy
Potochnick, Louis Neumann, Maurice Click, Bernard ?, Charles Davis, Bob
Searles, ? Mayer, Bill Phillips, Les Abbenhouse, Roy Rutschman, Bob McLane,
Jim Worthington, Carl Verduin, Bob Case, Kemper Nomland, Jerry Rubin, Harold
Bock, Scotty Walker, George Brown, Don Chamberlin, Betty Chamberlin, Howard
Scott, Rae Hungerford, Naomi Kirschner, Gloria Benglen, Naomi McLane, Edith
Hall, Eleanor Davis.
|
undated |
1.7 | Videotape: "Conchie" Part 1 Menucha | 1984 |
1.8 | Videotape: "Conchie" Part Two Menucha | 1984 |
1.9 | Audio CD
German Vocal Selections by Bert Olin
|
1970 |
1.10 | Audio CD
English Vocal Selections by Bert Olin & The Memorial Service for Bert
Olin
|
1970 |
1.11 | Tape Recording 2
Musical recording on sides A and B
|
undated |
1.12 | Tape Recording 3
Musical recording on sides A and B
|
undated |
1.13 | Tape Recording 5
Musical recording on sides A and B
|
undated |
1.14 | Tape Recording 6
Brief intervew on side A, musical recording on side B
|
undated |
1.15 | Tape Recording 8
Musical recording on side A, side B is blank
|
undated |
1.16 | Tape Recording 9
Musical recording on side A, recording of Bert Olin's funeral on side B
|
undated |
1.17 | Tape Recording 10
Musical recording on sides A and B
|
undated |
1.18 | Tape Recording 11
Musical recording on side A, possible recording of Bert Olin's radio work on
side B
|
undated |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.)
- Civilian Public Service. Camp #21 (Cascade Locks, Or.)
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Conscientious objectors -- Oregon -- Cascade Locks
Personal Names
- Chamberlin, Don
- Olin, Bertel J., 1918-1974--Archives