Gerry Frank scrapbooks and memorabilia

Gerry Frank scrapbooks and memorabilia, circa 1880-2018

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Frank, Gerry
Title: Gerry Frank scrapbooks and memorabilia
Dates: circa 1880-2018 (inclusive)
18802018
Quantity: 36.7 cubic feet, (3 record cartons; 1 flat box (20x24); 1 oversize folder (20x30); 140 loose volumes; 1 audio reel; 1 videotape)
Collection Number: Coll 855
Summary: Scrapbooks, photograph albums, photographs, papers, and ephemera compiled by or relating to Gerald W. "Gerry" Frank (1923-). Frank is a businessman from Oregon who worked at the department store Meier & Frank; opened a dessert shop in Salem, Oregon, named Gerry Frank's Konditerei; and was U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield's chief of staff.
Repository: Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org
Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.
Languages: English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Gerald "Gerry" Wendell Frank was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1923. He attended Stanford University, where he enrolled in the Reserve Officer Training Corps. He was called to active duty in the U.S. Army in 1943, and served in the European theater during World War II. During his Army training in California, he studied engineering at Loyola University. After his discharge in 1945, he remained in England and attended Cambridge University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in politics.

After graduating, he returned to Portland and worked at the family business, the Meier & Frank department store. He opened and managed the Meier & Frank store in Salem, Oregon, in 1955. After the sale of Meier & Frank in 1965, Frank became involved with Mark Hatfield's political career, eventually becoming the senator's chief of staff. In 1981, he opened a dessert shop in Salem called Gerry Frank's Konditorei. He was a longtime contributor to the Oregonian newspaper and also authored a guidebook to Oregon, entitled "Gerry Frank's Oregon."

Frank died in March 2022.

Sources: Obituary in the Oregonian, March 14, 2022; oral history interviews with Gerry Frank, SR 1002 and SR 1324, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists of scrapbooks, albums, papers, and ephemera compiled by and relating to Gerald W. "Gerry" Frank, a businessman associated with Portland, Oregon, and Salem, Oregon. The bulk of the collection is scrapbooks and albums that contain newspaper clippings, correspondence, ephemera, and photographs documenting Frank's life and career. Much of the collection concerns the Meier & Frank department store that Frank's family founded and which he worked for in the 1950s and 1960s, including the store's Salem branch, which he managed. Meier & Frank materials include menus from the store restaurants, memorandums, advertisements, and training handouts.

The collection also documents Frank's involvement with Republican politics, particularly his relationship with Oregon Governor and U.S. Senator Mark O. Hatfield, and includes two reports for around-the-world fact-finding trips that Frank undertook for Senator Hatfield. Additional materials include scrapbooks concerning Frank's book "Where to Find It, Buy It, and Eat It in New York"; a scrapbook of Frank's weekly column in the Oregonian; personal photographs, correspondence, and ephemera; and autographed photographs of state and national political figures.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

Selected photographs are viewable online in OHS Digital Collections.

Preferred Citation

Gerry Frank scrapbooks and memorabilia, Coll 855, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Restrictions on Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Collection is arranged in four series: Series 1. Scrapbooks; Series 2. Photo albums; Series 3. Meier & Frank materials; Series 4. Other papers and memorabilia.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Gerald W. Frank, October 2020 (RL2020-067).

Preservation Note

Radio broadcast and videotape require assistance to access. Contact library staff for assistance.

Related Materials

Gerry Frank papers, Mss 2832; Meier and Frank Company collection, Mss 2866; Oral history interview with Gerry Frank, SR 1002; and Oral history interview with Gerry Frank, SR 1324, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series 1: Scrapbooks, 1923-2018Return to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Volume
1		Scrapbook 1	1923-1943
2		Scrapbook 2	1948-1949
3		Scrapbook 3 Includes materials relating to Frank's service in World War II and his college education.	1944-1947
4		Scrapbook 4	1949-1950
5		Scrapbook 5	1951-1952
6		Scrapbook 6	1952-1953
7		Scrapbook 7	1953-1954
8		Scrapbook 8	1954-1955
9		Scrapbook 9	1955 February-December
10		Scrapbook 10	1955 December-1956 March
11		Scrapbook 11	1956 March-1957 June
12		Scrapbook 12	1957 June-1958 February
13		Scrapbook 13	1958 February-December
14		Scrapbook 14	1958 November-1959 February
15		Scrapbook 15	1959 February-July
16		Scrapbook 16	1959 April-November
17		Scrapbook 17	1959 November-1960 January
18		Scrapbook 18 Includes a Christmas card from the Richard Nixon and Pat Nixon.	1960 January-February
19		Scrapbook 19 Includes a photograph of Frank with Mark Hatfield.	1960 February-May
20		Scrapbook 20 Includes photographs of Frank meeting Nepalese royalty.	1960 May-June
21		Scrapbook 21 Includes guest tickets for the 1960 Republican National Convention and a note from Mark Hatfield.	1960 June-September
22		Scrapbook 22	1960 September-November
23		Scrapbook 23	1960 November-1961 January
24		Scrapbook 24	1961 January-March
25		Scrapbook 25 Includes materials relating to Salem, Oregon, winning designation as an "All-America City," which Frank campaigned for, and a photograph of Frank with Hatfield.	1961 March-April
26		Scrapbook 26	1961 April-May
27		Scrapbook 27	1961 May-July
28		Scrapbook 28	1961 July-September
29		Scrapbook 29 Includes a letter from Mark Hatfield to Frank.	1961 October-December
30		Scrapbook 30	1961 December-1962 January
31		Scrapbook 31	1962 January-March
32		Scrapbook 32	1962 March-May
33		Scrapbook 33	1962 May-August
34		Scrapbook 34	1962 August-November
35		Scrapbook 35	1962 November-1963 January
36		Scrapbook 36	1963 January-March
37		Scrapbook 37 Includes a photograph of Frank with Mark Hatfield.	1963 March-June
38		Scrapbook 38	1963 June-November
39		Scrapbook 39 Includes a copy of a gubernatorial proclamation by Mark Hatfield calling for a day of mourning following John F. Kennedy's assassination.	1963 November-1964 January
40		Scrapbook 40 Includes a letter from Mark Hatfield to Frank.	1964 January-May
41		Scrapbook 41 Includes a copy of a keynote address given by Mark Hatfield.	1964 May-August
42		Scrapbook 42	1964 August-September
43		Scrapbook 43	1964 September-December
44		Scrapbook 44	1964 December-1965 February
45		Scrapbook 45	1965 February-March
46		Scrapbook 46	1965 March
47		Scrapbook 47	1965 March-May
48		Scrapbook 48	1965 May-June
49		Scrapbook 49	1965 July-August
50		Scrapbook 50	1965 August-October
51		Scrapbook 51	1965 October-November
52		Scrapbook 52 Includes materials relating to a delegation to Europe that Mark Hatfield led, and that Frank was a member of.	1965 November-1966 January
53		Scrapbook 53	1966 January
54		Scrapbook 54	1966 January-February
55		Scrapbook 55	1966 February-April
56		Scrapbook 56	1966 April-May
57		Scrapbook 57	1966 May-July
58		Scrapbook 58	1966 July-October
59		Scrapbook 59	1966 October-December
60		Scrapbook 60 Includes correspondence and ephemera relating to Frank's work for Senator Mark Hatfield, and a photograph of Frank with Hatfield.	1966 December-1967 February
61		Scrapbook 61 Includes itinerary for an around-the-world fact-finding trip that Frank took on Mark Hatfield's behalf, and Hatfield's letter of introduction for Frank.	1967 February-April
62		Scrapbook 62 Includes materials relating to Frank's around-the-world fact-finding trip taken on Mark Hatfield's behalf.	1967 April-June
63		Scrapbook 63	1967 June-August
64		Scrapbook 64	1967 August-September
65		Scrapbook 65	1967 October-December
66		Scrapbook 66 Includes materials related to Frank's second around-the-world fact-finding trip taken for Hatfield.	1967 December-1968 February
67		Scrapbook 67	1968 February-June
68		Scrapbook 68	1968 June-November
69		Scrapbook 69 Includes photographs of Kennedy Space Center and an invitation to Richard Nixon's inauguration.	1968 November-1969 April
70		Scrapbook 70	1969 April-December
71		Scrapbook 71 Includes diplomatic invitations.	1970 January-1971 January
72		Scrapbook 72 Includes a letter to Mark Hatfield from U.S. Ambassador to Libya Joseph Palmer II about Frank.	1971 January-October
73		Scrapbook 73 Includes materials related to Hatfield's 1972 Senate campaign.	1971 October-1972 August
74		Scrapbook 74 Includes correspondence and invitations from the White House, and clippings about Frank's promotion to being Hatfield's administrative assistant.	1972 August-1973 December
75		Scrapbook 75 Includes correspondence from Gerald Ford to Frank, and invitations from international dignitaries.	1973 December-1975 May
76		Scrapbook 76 Includes records from a Senate briefing.	1975 May-1977 January
77		Scrapbook 77	1977 January-November
78		Scrapbook 78	1977 November-1978 May
79		Scrapbook 79	1978 May-1979 June
80		Scrapbook 80	1979 July-1980 April
81		Scrapbook 81 Includes a press release about Frank and Mark Hatfield witnessing the Mt. St. Helens eruption.	1980 April-1981 August
82		Scrapbook 82	1981 September-1983 April
83		Scrapbook 83 Includes flight information and diplomatic invitations from an international trip that Frank took with the Hatfields.	1983 April-1984 April
84		Scrapbook 84	1984 April-November
85		Scrapbook 85 Includes a Christmas card from the Reagans and an invitation to Reagan's second inauguration.	1984 November-1985 December
86		Scrapbook 86	1986 January-December
87		Scrapbook 87 Includes an invitation from Vice President George H. W. Bush, a letter from U.S. Representative Ron Wyden, and flight information for a trip to the Middle East.	1986 December-1987 December
88		Scrapbook 88	1987 December-1988 August
89		Scrapbook 89	1988 August-1989 December
90		Scrapbook 90	1989 November-1991 December
91		Scrapbook 91	1992 February-December
92		Scrapbook 92	1992 November-1993 October
93		Scrapbook 93	1993 October-1995 April
94		Scrapbook 94 Includes an award given to Frank by Linfield College.	1995 March-1996 November
95		Scrapbook 95 Includes a letter from Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber reappointing Frank to the Oregon Tourism Commission.	1996 October-1998 March
96		Scrapbook 96	1998 January-November
97		Scrapbook 97	1998 December-2000 January
98		Scrapbook 98	2000
99		Scrapbook 99	2001
100		Scrapbook 100	2002
101		Scrapbook 101	2003
102		Scrapbook 102	2004
103		Scrapbook 103	2005
104		Scrapbook 104	2006
105		Scrapbook 105	2007
106		Scrapbook 106	2008 January-2010 April
107		Scrapbook 107	2010
108		Scrapbook 108	2011
109		Scrapbook 109	2012
110		Scrapbook 110	2013
111		Scrapbook 111	2013-2015
112		Scrapbook 112	2016
113		Scrapbook 113	2017-2018
Box	Volume
1	114	Tribute scrapbook compiled by citizens of Salem, Oregon	2009
1	115-117	Scrapbooks about Frank's book, "Where to Find It, Buy It, and Eat It in New York"	1979-1997
Volume
118		Scrapbook of Frank's weekly column in the Oregonian	1988-1992

Series 2: Photo albums, circa 1880-2005Return to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Volume
2	119	Family photo album	circa 1890-1920
2	120	Photo album 2P	circa 1920-1930
2	121	Photo album 3P	circa 1930-1940
2	122	Photo album 4P	circa 1935-1945
2	123	Photo album 5P	circa 1945-1950
Volume
124		Photo album 6P Includes images of Aaron Frank's residence and the Pacific International Livestock Exposition.	circa 1925-1960
Box	Volume
2	125	Photo album 7P	circa 1940-1950
2	126	Photo album 8P Includes photographs of Cambridge University and Stanford University.	circa 1950-1995
2	127	Photo album 9P, "Army Days" Includes documents and ephemera.	1943-1946
Volume
128		Photo album 10P, "Army Days" Includes documents and ephemera.	1943-1946
129		Photo album 15P Album documents the joint fundraiser for the Oregon Zoo and Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, "ZOOMSI."	1962
130		Photo album 16P Album documents a tour of Europe that Frank led.	1970
131		Photo album 17P	circa 1970-1979
132		Photo album 18P Includes photographs of Mark Hatfield and from the fact-finding trips that Frank took for Hatfield.	1967-1969
133		Photo album 19P Includes photographs of Mark Hatfield and of Jimmy Carter.	circa 1943-1977
134		Photo album 20P Includes photographs of Mark Hatfield, Bob Dole, and Richard Nixon.	circa 1970-1991
135		Photo album 25P Includes photographs of Mark Hatfield.	circa 1880-1989
136		Photo album 34P Includes photographs of Vic Atiyeh and John Kitzhaber.	1998-2006

Series 3: Meier & Frank materials, 1892-2019, (bulk circa 1955-2011) Return to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folder
2	1	Articles of incorporation	1892 January 14
Volume
137-138		Meier & Frank Co. Salem scrapbooks	1955
139		Meier & Frank Co. Salem photo album	1955-1957
140		Scrapbook, "Special Events Book No. 1"	1980-1981
Reel
1		SR 1058: KSLM Radio Salem broadcast of opening of Meier & Frank Salem	1955 October 27
videocassette
1		MI 11349: KGW8 history of Meier & Frank produced by John Tuttle	circa 1985
Box	Folder
3	1-2	Meier & Frank store ephemera	1932-1980
3	3	Issues of Meier & Frank Daily Bulletin	1933-1963
3	4-5	Issues of Meier & Frank employee magazine, "Meet the Family"	1968-1982
3	6	Secretary's notebook with letter templates	1959
3	7	Employee training handbook Includes Polaroid images of employees.	1981
3	8-12	Photographs of Meier & Frank store interiors and exteriors	circa 1955-1969
3	13	Meier & Frank store display photographs	1961
3	14	Photographs and scrapbook pages of Meier & Frank store	circa 1955-1969
3	15	Snapshots of Meier & Frank store	circa 1960-2006
3	16-30	Correspondence between Gerry Frank and others about Meier & Frank memories	1997-2011
3	31	Correspondence between Gerry Frank and others about Meier & Frank memories	2019
3	32	Clippings about Meier & Frank	1918-1994
2	2	Clippings about Meier & Frank	1957-1963

Series 4: Other papers and memorabilia, 1880-2012, (bulk 1953-2012) Return to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folder
3	33	Loose scrapbook pages	1980-1982
3	34	Aaron M. Frank papers and correspondence	1904; 1948-1958
3	35	Aaron M. Frank real estate documents	1953
4	1	Awards, certificates, and related correspondence	1953-2012
4	2	Cartoon by Jack Ohman of "Hatfield and Frank" department store, inscribed to Frank	1990
4	3	Photograph of Frank with Elizabeth Dole, with inscription to Frank (original and copy); photograph of Frank with Bob Dole and Miss America Katie Harman, with autographs	circa 1995; 2002
4	4	Portrait of Mark Hatfield, inscribed to Frank; photograph of Frank with Mark Hatfield and Antoinette Hatfield	circa 1975; circa 2010
4	5	Autographed photographs of Oregon politicians: Peter DeFazio, Denny Smith, Bob Packwood, Mark Hatfield, Les AuCoin, Neil Goldschmidt, Ron Wyden, and Robert Smith; John Kitzhaber, Mark Hatfield, Les AuCoin, Ted Kulongoski, unidentified man, and Neil Goldschmidt	circa 1990; circa 2000
4	6	Auotographed photograph of Ronald Reagan with Gerry Frank; autographed photograph of Richard Nixon	circa 1981; 1983 February 27
Folder
Oversize 1		Schedule for Associated Industries of Oregon convention; autographed photograph of Mark Hatfield, Bob Straub, Vic Atiyeh, Neil Goldschmidt, and Barbara Roberts at Associated Industries of Oregon convention	1991 October 7
Box	Folder
3	36	Postcards of Portland hotels	1882; 1938
3	37	Photograph of Frank speaking at All-America award event	1961 April 8
2	3	Loose photographs and contact sheets Contact sheets include images of Neil Goldschmidt.	circa 1880-1990
3	38	Round the World Information Gathering Trip for U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield report	1967
3	39	Round the World Information Gathering Trip for U.S. Senator Mark Hatfield report	1968

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Department stores--Oregon--Portland
Department stores--Oregon--Salem

Personal Names

Frank, Gerry
Hatfield, Mark O., 1922-2011

Corporate Names

Meier & Frank (Portland, Or.)

Geographical Names

United States--Politics and government--20th century

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