Archives West Finding Aid

Series 1 is made up mainly of textual documents that Williams used to support his work as a photographer. Included in the collection is a handwritten index listing the events photographed with a corresponding alphanumeric code used to label the slides. Other representations of his indexing process include notes kept on scraps of paper and in notebooks as well as finalized lists of events. He also collected correspondence, budgetary documents, photo releases, and a significant number of promotional materials from events he attended. His own promotional endeavors are represented by his business cards and biographical materials such as his curricula vitae. There are also representations of his work that came from his photography such as his calendars, exhibitions, presentations/manuscripts, and a poster for one of his books, Mount St. Helens, A Changing Landscape. Some of Williams’ projects were informed and rounded out by photography that was not his own, but instead came from the Oregon Historical Society and Columbia River Gorge Archives.

Series 2 contains the collected materials relating to Williams’ book published in 1980, Bridge of the Gods, Mountains of Fire: A Return to the Columbia Gorge. The book integrates historical images with Williams’ contemporary photographs. Several forms of photos used in the book are represented in the collection, including prints and illustrations, blue copies, and negatives. There are also mockup pages of the book at various stages, a promotional poster, and some text excerpts.

Series 3 includes photographic materials that pertain to Williams’ personal life. Most of these personal materials document family trips and celebrations, but there are also celebrity portraits, self-portraits, a childhood drawing, and portraits of cats.

Series 4 is made up of unidentified portraits, landscapes, and events taken by Williams. The series is mostly comprised of dancing and musical performances as well as organized speeches and panel events. There are also posed portraits and various images of landscapes and wildlife. Each folder description includes a summary of its contents.

Series 5 contains a sampling of artifacts Williams used and collected throughout his career.

Series 6 is comprised of images of events, groups, and resources within Native American communities in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. The series is made up of materials pertaining to Indigenous communities’ health services, the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, various committees and councils, as well as community, cultural and recreational events organized by tribal communities.

Series 7 contains photographs from environmental protests and demonstrations around the Pacific Northwest.

Series 8 is comprised of events and celebrations of culture and heritage across Oregon and Washington. African, Asian, Pacific Islander, European, Latinx, and Caribbean cultures are represented, as well as general events celebrating multiple cultures.

Series 9 depicts marches, parades, and groups showing LGBTQIA+ pride in the Portland, Oregon area.

Series 10 contains images of events celebrating art and artistic expression. This includes the visual arts, crafts, dancing, and mostly music.

Series 11 includes any events in the Pacific Northwest that do not pertain exclusively to culture, the arts, or agriculture. This series is mostly made up of street fairs, holiday celebrations, and even some visits from prominent public figures.

Series 12 includes all of the events and fairs focused around an agricultural harvest or food at large.

Series 13 is comprised of scenic photos and outdoor activities within the state of Oregon; the materials are organized by location. Most of the recreational activities represented include boating, fishing, and rafting.

Series 14 contains all of Williams’ work in over 50 of the United States’ national parks, preserves, and monuments. While most images are solely scenic, there are some family trips as well as cards printed with his work.

Series 15 contains all of Williams' travel photography outside of Oregon including international destinations.

Series 16 contains the work and related information of another photographer, Wilma Roberts (1914-2014). Roberts also maintained a gallery in The Dalles, Oregon. She specialized in the scenery of the Mid-Columbia area and hand-coloring antique photos of Celilo Falls. As documented in the correspondence between Williams and Roberts, it is evident that the exchange of their works was common, and some of her photographs that Williams collected are preserved here. He also collected articles about her found in the local newspaper.