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Architecture collection, 1873-2016

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Oregon Historical Society
Title
Architecture collection
Dates
1873-2016 (inclusive)
Quantity
3 cubic feet, (5 document cases, 3 oversize folders)
Collection Number
Mss 1525
Summary
Collection assembled by the Oregon Historical Society primarily containing ephemera relating to architecture in Oregon, with emphasis on Portland. Includes brochures on specific buildings, booklets of sample house plans, and historical background on the Paulina Lake (Or.) I.O.O.F. site.
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
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Historical Note

Since its founding in 1898, the Oregon Historical Society has collected ephemera of all kinds, most of it documenting the history of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. In the mid-20th century, librarians at the Society began organizing these materials into what became known as "Topical Collections." One such collection, the Architecture Collection, collated various items concerning buildings, architects, and related matters.

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Content Description

The Architecture Collection contains primarily ephemera related to individual buildings, most of them in Portland. These materials include brochures created either for sales promotion or for dedications of the finished structures. Also included are materials relating to architectural firms and organizations, historic preservation, building materials, sample plans for houses, and architecture-related events. There is a large group of materials on the history of the Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) camp site at Paulina Lake, Oregon; and publicity for Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland. The collection also contains blueprints for ferry boats crossing the Columbia River at Astoria, 1947, designed by the Albina Engine and Machine Works; and blueprints for railroad cars, 1891-1928.

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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 prior to any use of reproductions. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use of reproductions may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright holders.

Preferred Citation

Architecture Collection, Mss 1525, Oregon Historical Society Research Library

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in two series:

  • Series A: Building files
  • Series B: General files

Acquisition Information

The collection was assembled from various sources by the Oregon Historical Society

Future Additions

Materials are added to the collection from time to time.

Processing Note

The entire collection was reprocessed in 2009.

Related Materials

The Oregon Historical Society holds a significant collection of blueprints and scale drawings of structures throughout Oregon, including designs from the firms of Pietro Belluschi, Morris Whitehouse, A. E. Doyle, Claussen & Claussen, and Jamieson Parker.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

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

  • Series A: Buildings, 1873-2009

    All buildings are in Portland, Oregon and vicinity, unless otherwise noted

  • Series B: General Files, 1894-2008

    • Description: American Institute of Architects, general
      Dates: 1964-1999; undated
      Container: Box/Folder 4/1
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: American Institute of Architects--Meeting minutes
      Dates: 1968-1979
      Container: Box/Folder 4/2
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: American Society for Metals, Oregon Chapter--Rosters
      Dates: 1965-1967
      Container: Box/Folder 4/3
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: Architects and architectural firms

      Includes Henneberry Eddy brochure, circa 2012

      Dates: 1894-2012
      Container: Box/Folder 4/4
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: Builders and remodelers

      See also Business Collection, Mss 1510.

      Dates: 1985; undate
      Container: Box/Folder 4/5
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: Building directories, Portland
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 4/6
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: Building materials

      See also Business Collection, Mss 1510

      Dates: 1913-1982
      Container: Box/Folder 4/7
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: Demonstration homes for 1938 : especially prepared for low income families (plans for small houses)
      Dates: 1938
      Container: Box/Folder Oversize folder 3
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: Estratto da l'architettura : cronache e storia (Italian architecture magazine with artilce on Zimmer, Gunsul Frasca firm of Portland)
      Dates: circa 1968
      Container: Box/Folder Oversize folder 3
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: Events--Building dedication invitations and programs

      Includes programs for dedication of the Portland Public Auditorium, 1917; U.S. Courthouse, 1994

      Dates: 1917-2005
      Container: Box/Folder 4/8-4/9
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: Events--Exhibitions and other programs

      Includes program for Portland Architectural Club, second annual exhibition, 1909

      Dates: 1909-2000
      Container: Box/Folder 4/9
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: "Factors of value on new buildings" by Hiram U. Welch--Booklet on assessment of Portland buildings, with pictures and data on various houses and buildings
      Dates: 1926
      Container: Box/Folder 4/10
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: "Fallout protection for homes with basements" (pamphlet), U.S. Office of Civil Defense
      Dates: 1967
      Container: Box/Folder 5/1
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: Historic Preservation League of Oregon
      Dates: circa 1980-1990
      Container: Box/Folder 5/2
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: Historic properties
      Dates: 1955-2008; undated
      Container: Box/Folder 5/3
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: Laurelhurst and its Park (original publication and facsimile edition, Laurelhurst subdivision, Portland)
      Dates: 1916; undated
      Container: Box/Folder Oversize folder 3
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: National Trust for Historic Preservation--Brochures, newsletter
      Dates: 1956-1980
      Container: Box/Folder 5/4
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: Paulina Lake I.O.O.F. site--History and preservation projects

      Papers include history of the leasing and use of the site and construction of the lodge, written by Oscar Larson, Past Noble Grand of Bend Lodge, I.O.O.F.; "Assesment of Log Cabins and Lodge on Paulina Lake, Deschutes National Forest," by Mazama Conservation Committee, 1980; "Addendum to Evaluation Report" on site and structures by E. Gail Throop, Forest Service historian, 1981; affidavit of Palmer Byrkit, evaluating the lodge and cabins, 1982, for Paulina Lake Historic Cabin Owners Association v. U.S.D.A. Forest Service; and complaint and motion for preliminary injunction, 1982, for Paulina Lake Historical Cabin Owners Association v. U.S.D.A. Forest Service. See also Org. Lot 526, Oregon Historical Society Research Library, for photographs.

      Dates: 1960-1982
      Container: Box/Folder 5/5-5/9
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008

    • Plans and scale drawings

      • Description: Farm buildings (Mid-West Farm Building Plan Service, University of Wisconsin)
        Dates: circa 1938
        Container: Box/Folder 5/10
        Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008 / Plans and scale drawings
      • Description: Ferry boats

        Blueprints for ferry boats used on the Columbia River at Astoria, constructed by the Albina Engine and Machine Works.

        Dates: 1947
        Container: Box/Folder Oversize Folder 1
        Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008 / Plans and scale drawings
      • Description: Railroad cars

        Blueprints for railroad cars. Includes:

        • New York Central and Hudson River car, side view, 1891
        • Southern Pacific coach, 1927
        • Southern Pacific club car, 1922
        • Southern Pacific locomotive, 1922
        • Southern Pacific diner, 1925
        • Southern Pacific observation car, circa 1914
        • Southern Pacific water tanker, undated

        Dates: 1881-1928
        Container: Box/Folder Oversize Folder 2
        Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008 / Plans and scale drawings
      • Description: Residential

        Includes "100 modern home plans selected for building economy" by Residential Plan Service, Portland, 1957. See also Business Collection, Mss 1510.

        Dates: circa 1920-1980
        Container: Box/Folder 5/11
        Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008 / Plans and scale drawings
    • Description: Propery sales, residential
      Dates: 1998-2005
      Container: Box/Folder 5/12
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: Public art
      Dates: 1980-1987
      Container: Box/Folder 5/13
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: Residential design-- "Atomic Ranch"
      Dates: circa 2007
      Container: Box/Folder 5/14
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: Residential design-- Green & solar homes of Oregon
      Dates: 2003
      Container: Box/Folder 5/15
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: Society of Architectural Historians
      Dates: circa 1970-1990
      Container: Box/Folder 5/16
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: Uban planning and design
      Dates: 1979-1987
      Container: Box/Folder 5/17
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008
    • Description: Walking tours of Portland
      Dates: 1976-1992; undated
      Container: Box/Folder 5/18
      Location: Series B: General Files, 1894-2008

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Architects--Oregon
  • Architecture--Oregon

Corporate Names

  • International Order of Odd Fellows.

Geographical Names

  • Oregon--Buildings, structure, etc.
  • Paulina Lake (Or.)--Buildings, structure, etc.
  • Pioneer Courthouse Square (Portland, Or.)
  • Portland (Or.)--Buildings, structure, etc.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Architectural drawings (visual works)
  • Printed ephemera

Finding aid prepared by Geoffrey B. Wexler; collection processed by Jack Harper, Susan Atkin, and Geoffrey Wexler
2016

CC0

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