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F. Tom Humphrey Photographs Collection, 1908-1946

Overview of the Collection

Collector
Humphrey, F. Tom
Title
F. Tom Humphrey Photographs Collection
Dates
1908-1946 (inclusive)
1941-1945 (bulk)
Quantity
114 photographic prints  :  b&w
2 photomechanical prints  :  color, mounted
3 film negatives  :  b&w
Collection Number
Coll 19
Summary
Includes one group of aviation-related images, which emphasizes the airplanes of World War II, and a second group of photographs related to the shipyards of the Vancouver-Portland area, also during World War II. Several images document a visit by Henry J. Kaiser to the Kaiser Company shipyards in Vancouver, Washington.
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

The collection is open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Funding for preparing this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
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Biographical Note

F. Tom Humphrey (1896-1971) was an editor at the Oregon Journal and Oregon City Enterprise newspapers. Born in Missouri, he attended Central College in Fayette, Missouri, and Colorado State College, before graduating from the School of Aeronautics at the University of California. During World War I he served in the Army as an Air Corps pursuit pilot and instructor. After the war, he worked for several newspapers in California and Colorado before joining the staff of the Oregon Journall in 1937. During World War II, Humphrey took a leave of absence from the newspaper to serve as area director for the President's Committee for Congested Production Areas (CCPA) monitoring war production. Later he moved to the CCPA national office in Washington, D.C., then joined the Aircraft Industries Association of America as public relations counsel. In 1946, Humphrey returned to the Oregon Journalas associate editor of the editorial page, becoming editor in 1951. He retired from the newspaper in 1962. Humphrey was active in prison and parole reform and civic improvements, including the Memorial Coliseum, the rebuilt Morrison Bridge and the new zoo in Portland. He was an organizer and charter board member of the United Fund and a member of many civic organizations. He served twice on the Governor's Committee on Parole and Probation.

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Content Description

The photographs that make up this collection were assembled by Tom Humphrey in the course of his newspaper and public relations work. The larger series is aviation-related, emphasizing the airplanes of World War II. Also included are several images of a 1928 airplane crash near Salem. The other series is related to the shipyards of the Vancouver-Portland area, again during World War II. Several images document a visit by Henry J. Kaiser to the Kaiser Company shipyards in Vancouver, Washington, including a ship launching and several banquets. Some images are oversize and have been mounted, apparently for framing. The collection also includes a folder of background materials and associated papers.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

The Oregon Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Research Library before any reproduction use. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

F. Tom Humphrey Photographs Collection, Collection 19, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The collection is organized into three series:

  • Series A: Background/Associated Papers, 1937-1971
  • Series B: Aviation, 1908-1946
  • Series C: Ships and Shipbuilding, 1926-1945

Location of Collection

Document case: Box 1

Location of Collection

Oversize A (11x14): 2 folders

Location of Collection

Oversize B-1 (16x20): 3 folders

Acquisition Information

Gift of F. Tom Humphrey, 1966.

Related Materials

The Oregon Historical Society Research Library holds extensive collections on aviation and shipbuilding that may be accessed through the on-line catalog.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

  • Series A: Background/Associated Papers, 1937-1971

  • Series B: Aviation, 1908-1946

    The folders are arranged alphabetically by airplane manufacturers and organizations, followed by unidentified aircraft, then an airplane crash at Salem, Or., and finally flyers and other people related to the aircraft industry.

  • Series C: Ships and Shipbuilding, 1926-1945, (bulk 1942-1945)

    • Description: Military ships

      Includes mostly unidentified ships and a view of the U.S. landing on Okinawa, April 20, 1945. Identified ship is aircraft carrier Lexington, unable to leave shipyard at Quincy, Mass., until Fore River Channel could be deepened, Mar. 23, 1926

      Dates: 1926-1945
      Container: Box/Folder 1/16
      Location: Series C: Ships and Shipbuilding, 1926-1945, (bulk 1942-1945)
    • Description: Shipyards

      Includes construction of dormitory at Kaiser Shipyard, Vancouver, Wash., 1942 June. Other images are unidentified but are probably of Kaiser shipyards at Vancouver, Wash., (and possibly Portland, Or.), as well as company personnel.

      Dates: 1942-1943
      Container: Box/Folder 1/17
      Location: Series C: Ships and Shipbuilding, 1926-1945, (bulk 1942-1945)
    • Description: Shipyard banquets

      Kaiser Shipyards at Vancouver, Wash. (and possibly Portland, Or.)

      Dates: 1942-1943
      Container: Box/Folder 1/18
      Location: Series C: Ships and Shipbuilding, 1926-1945, (bulk 1942-1945)
    • Description: Ship launching ceremonies

      Images at Kaiser Shipyard, Vancouver, Wash., document ships, shipyards, officials, guests and workers. Identified people include Henry J. Kaiser; John Hallett, general superintendent of the Vancouver shipyards; and Charles Sprague, Oregon governor.

      Dates: circa 1942-circa 1944
      Container: Box/Folder 1/19
      Location: Series C: Ships and Shipbuilding, 1926-1945, (bulk 1942-1945)

Finding aid prepared by Mikki Tint.
2004

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