Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Lemuel P. Putnam papers , 1911-1963
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Putnam, Lemuel P., 1884-1968
- Title
- Lemuel P. Putnam papers
- Dates
- 1911-1963 (inclusive)19111963
- Quantity
- 0.5 linear feet, (1 container) : 1 manuscript box
- Collection Number
- Ax 586
- Summary
- Lemuel Pratt Putnam (1884-1968) had a long career of service with the YMCA and the Presbyterian Church, as a social worker and pastor. The collection (1911-1963) contains correspondence, religious writings, subject files on religious organizations, and biographical information.
- Repository
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University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives
UO Libraries--SCUA
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR
97403-1299
Telephone: 5413463068
spcarref@uoregon.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.
- Additional Reference Guides
-
Paper finding aid with additional information is available in Special Collections & University Archives.
See the Current Collection Guide for detailed description and requesting options.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for production of this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Historical NoteReturn to Top
Lemuel Pratt Putnam (1884-1968) was born in Iowa and grew up in South Dakota. He was educated at South Dakota State Normal School at Spearfish, the State Teachers College in North Dakota, and at Chicago Theological Seminary in Illinoiswas educated at South Dakota State Normal School at Spearfish, at Colorado College, and at Chicago Theological Seminary in Illinois.
Putnam began his career working with the YMCA in Chicago in 1912 until 1921. He served in WWI briefly from 1917-1918, with the YMCA in Texas, then with the 42 division in France, in the "Y Hut."
In September of 1921, Putnam moved to Eugene, Oregon where he became the General Secretary of the University of Oregon campus YMCA, and served until 1923.
From 1923 until 1935, he worked as Director of Administration, Youth Work, Religious Education, and Camp and Conference Work at the First Presbyterian Church in Portland, Oregon. From 1935 until 1938, Putnam returned to the YMCA, this time in Portland, and served as Secretary of Counseling and Guidance, and with the Metropolitan Program.
Putnam was then ordained in 1938 by the Portland Presbytery in order to become assistant pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Portland, Oregon. In 1942 he resigned in order to "take up war emergency work, accepting the call of the Portland Council of Churches to organize and direct The United Church Ministry to Defense Communities of the Portland Federal Housing areas."
In 1944, Putnam became the Associate Executive Secretary of the Portland Council of Churches. In 1945 he worked on the Restoration Fund for the Synods of Oregon and Idaho. After the war years, Putnam took part in a special survey project for Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian Church, and was a special consultant on the Restoration Fund.
From 1949 until 1952 he served with the Oregon Tuberculosis and Heath Association, and afterwards he returned to the First Presbyterian Church, and retired in 1953.
[Source: Biographical Information Folder, Lemuel P. Putnam papers, Ax 586, Special Collections & University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries, Eugene, Oregon.]
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Correspondence consists of incoming letters arranged alphabetically by name or title. Correspondents include politicians, church leaders, and religious and political associations. There are over 300 letters from 1911 to 1963.
There is also religious writings including prayers, prayer fragments, and sermons.
Files on religious organizations and activities include: the National Council of Churches, Board of National Missions of Presbyterian Church, Oregon Council of Churches, Oregon Council of Christian Education, Portland Council of Churches, Portland Council of Religious Education, West Side Board of Religious Education, Commission on Christian Education, and field reports of the United Church Overseas Relief.
The collection also includes a file of biographical information.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Description |
|---|
| Guide to the Lemuel P. Putnam Papers |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Church and education--United States--History--20th century
- Church and social problems--Presbyterian Church
- Clergy--United States--Correspondence
- Politicians--United States--Correspondence
- Presbyterian Church--Oregon--Clergy
- Presbyterian Church--Oregon--Portland
- Religious leaders--United States--Correspondence
- Social workers--Oregon
- Social workers--United States
Personal Names
- Putnam, Lemuel P., 1884-1968
- Putnam, Lemuel P., 1884-1968
Corporate Names
- First Presbyterian Church (Portland, Or.)
- National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America
- Oregon Council of Christian Education
- Oregon Council of Churches
- Portland Council of Churches (Portland, Or.)
- Portland Council of Religious Education (Portland, Or.)
- Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Board of National Missions
- YMCA of the USA
- Young Men's Christian Association (University of Oregon)
Geographical Names
- Portland (Or.)--Church history
- United States--Church history--20th century
- United States--Religion--20th century
Form or Genre Terms
- Correspondence
- Sermons
