Collection is open for research.
Gift of David L. Moomaw, March 1988 (Lib. Acc. 18812, Photo Acc. 988D217).
Lewis H. Moomaw (1889-1980) was a motion picture producer and director whose theatrical films, shot mostly in the Pacific Northwest, gained national distribution and praise during the 1920s. Although he had been active in the motion picture industry since childhood, Moomaw abandoned film production by 1930. During the 1910s he varied his activities between American Lifeograph and traveling as a photographer with Burton Holmes. Moomaw was instrumental in forming Associated Pictures Corporation in Portland, Oregon, which produced four feature films by 1926, including "Flames" and (in collaboration with the Alaska Moving Picture Corporation) "The Chechahcos." This series of films was well distributed, and their wide exposure gathered critical approval. During this period, about 1924, he married Bend, Oregon, native Irene Maude Simpson. Their only child, David Lewis Moomaw, was born in November 1926.
Lewis Moomaw photographic collection, Org. Lot 726, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Betamax cassettes of Moomaw's films "Under the Rouge" "Flames" and "The Chechahcos" were separated to the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's moving image collections and designated MI 04616, MI 04617, and MI 04618. Moomaw's papers were separated to the library's manuscript collections and designated Mss 2789.
Collection consists of 25 black and white stills and on-set photographs, 1918-1970, from some of Lewis Moomaw's films, including "The Golden Trail," "The Chechahcos," "Flames," and "Exodus," as well as portraits of Moomaw.
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.