ohy_mss1759.xml Guide to the Amos Burg papers Burg (Amos) papers Revised by Jeffrey A. Hayes Oregon Historical Society Research Library 2003; revised 2023
1200 SW Park Ave. Portland, OR 97205 Business Number: 5033065204 Business Number: 5033065240 libreference@ohs.org https://www.ohs.org/research-and-library/
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-10-16. Finding aid is written in English. Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard), 2nd Edition. 2023 Revised to reflect reprocessing and rearrangement of the collection Oregon Historical Society Research Library Amos Burg papers Burg, Amos Mss 1759 8.4 cubic feet 6 record cartons; 1 legal document case; 1 slim legal document case; 1 flat box (14x18); 3 oversize folders (30x42) circa 1855-1989 1908-1986 Papers of Amos Burg (1901-1986), including diaries, travel logs, notes, correspondence, published materials, and ephemera. Burg was born in Portland, Oregon, and lived there until after World War II, when he moved to Alaska. He traveled on multiple rivers in North America, and was a writer, photographer and filmmaker who worked for the National Geographic Society, the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Erpi Classroom films, and later the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. English

Collection is open for research.

Gifts of Carolyn Burg made between 1986 and 1995 (Lib. Acc. 17787; Lib. Acc. 20170; Lib. Acc. 22211).

Collection is arranged in 11 series:

Series 1: Diaries Series 2: Trip records and memorabilia Series 3: Correspondence Series 4: Topical research materials Series 5: Unpublished writings Series 6: Published materials by Burg Series 7: Lectures and speeches Series 8: Materials relating to films by Burg Series 9: Published materials about Burg Series 10: Records of schooner Endeavour Series 11: Personal and family papers and memorabilia

Amos Burg, Jr. was born in 1901 in Portland, Oregon. At age 15, he signed on as a bellboy on the passenger ship Rose City; by the end of World War I, he had sailed around the world and earned the rank of able seaman. In 1920, he traveled down the Snake and Columbia rivers by canoe, the first of many river voyages he would take in his life. In 1922, he traveled from Montana to New Orleans via the Yellowstone, Missouri, and Mississippi rivers. In late 1924, he canoed the entire length of the Columbia River.

In 1928, Burg traveled to Alaska, where he filmed the annual caribou migration. This trip was the basis of the article "Today on the Yukon Trail of 1898," which was published in National Geographic Magazine in 1930; it was the first of ten feature articles that Burg wrote for the magazine, and until the 1950s Burg worked as an assignment and freelance writer, photographer, and filmmaker for the National Geographic Society, Encyclopaedia Britannica, and Erpi Classroom Films, Inc. This work included an expedition to Cape Horn and Tierra del Fuego in South America; expeditions to Alaska, China, and Japan; and filming the coronation of Britain's King George VI. In 1938, Burg and Haldane "Buzz" Halstrom journeyed on the Green and Colorado rivers.

During World War II, Burg worked as an agent for the United States government in Argentina and Chile. After the war, he moved to Juneau, Alaska, where he worked for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game from 1955 until his retirement in 1974. He produced 15 films during his tenure at the department, and both during his career and after retirement wrote the column "Campfire Reflections" in the department's magazine, "Alaska Fish Tails and Game Trails." He also wrote for Alaska newspapers under the pen name Sourdough Sam.

Burg married Carolyn Warren (1908-2000) in 1958. He died in 1986 in Juneau, Alaska, and had his ashes scattered over the Columbia River.

Sources: Obituary in the Daily Sitka Sentinel, June 16, 1986; articles in the Oregonian, 1924 and 1984-1986; collection materials; vital records on Ancestry.com.

Due to their condition, materials in Folders 1-3 of Box 9 and in Oversize Folder 3 may require assistance to view. Contact library staff.

Amos Burg papers, Mss 1759, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

The collection was initially processed in late 1992 or early 1993, with additions made circa 1995. The collection was reprocessed in 2023. Reprocessing included rehousing of materials and significant rearrangement. At that time, the collection description was revised to reflect these changes and to more thoroughly and accurately describe the collection's contents. Due to its condition, the original of the ship manual in Box 6, Folder 21, was discarded in 2023 after a preservation color photocopy was made.

The collection consists of papers relating to the life and work of Oregon-born explorer, writer, photographer, and filmmaker Amos Burg. A significant portion of the collection consists of diaries, trip logs, notes, and correspondence that reflect Burg's travels; his work as an assignment and freelance writer, photographer, and filmmaker for the National Geographic Society, Encyclopaedia Britannica, and Erpi Classroom Films; and his later career at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. A significant amount of this material relates to Alaska. Other travels well-represented are Burg's voyages on rivers in the United States and Canada and his time at Cape Horn and Tierra del Fuego in South America.

The collection also holds Burg's research notes; drafts and published clippings of newspaper and magazine articles that he wrote; unpublished writings, including quotes, proverbs, and observations that Burg wrote down; notes and papers relating to speeches and lectures that he gave; scripts and other records relating to films he produced; published materials by others that are about Burg or mention him; and papers relating to a schooner he owned, the Endeavour. Other materials in the collection include scrapbook pages of clippings, publications, and ephemera relating to Burg; the papers of Burg's wife, Carolyn Burg; addresses; guest book entries; and published material that Burg collected.

Photographs from Lib. Acc. 17787, Lib. Acc. 20170, and Lib. Acc. 22211 were separated to the Amos Burg photographs collection, Org. Lot 450. Films from Lib. Acc. 20170 and Lib. Acc. 22211 were separated to the Amos Burg motion picture collection, MIC 5. Artifacts were separated to Museum Collections, Oregon Historical Society.

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.

 Burg, Amos National Geographic Society (U.S.) Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Erpi Classroom Films, Inc. Alaska. Department of Fish and Game Canada--Description and travel United States--Description and travel--20th century Alaska--Description and travel Tierra del Fuego (Argentina and Chile)--Description and travel Motion picture producers and directors Authors, American--Oregon Authors, American--Alaska Photographers--Oregon Photographers--Alaska Expeditions and Adventure Diaries diaries scripts (documents) Diaries Series 1 1917-1984

This series consists of diary entries, both in bound volumes and on loose pages, and related materials. Many of the diary entries relate to journeys that Burg undertook, particularly on rivers in the United States and Canada. Some volumes also contain notes and clippings, and one also contains copied passages from Erich Maria Remarque's novels and from a Will Rogers radio program. This series also holds typescript copies of diaries by Haldane "Buzz" Halstrom and Willis Johnson, who traveled with Burg on the Green River and Colorado River in 1938.

 Diary entries circa 1920-1950 1 1 Diary 1917 November 21-1918 January 27 1 2 Diary of voyage to San Francisco, California 1918 January-March 1 3 Diary of time on the U.S.S. Waikiki and on the Pacific Coast 1919-1920 1 4 Diary and related notes and writings 1921 May 1-1922 May 14 1 5 Loose diary entries 1921-1924 1 6 Diary 1925 June 28-October 23 1 7 Loose diary entry 1927 September 7 1 8 Diary 1928 April 22-August 5 1 9 Diary with additional writings quoting Erich Maria Remarque's novels and Will Rogers radio program 1928 October 22-November 21 circa 1928-1931 1 10 Diary 1928 December 10-1924 April 24 1 11 Diary from voyage on Athabasca River and Mackenzie River, with additional writings 1929 September 6-7 circa 1929 1 12 Typescript copy of diary entry; diary entries and related notes 1930 June-July 1 13 Diary entries 1935-1946 1 14 Typed diary entries from Colorado River journey, and historical information about Colorado River journey 1938 August 25-November 3 circa 1970 1 15 Typescripts of Haldane "Buzz" Holstrom and Willis Johnson diaries from Colorado River journeys 1937-1938 1 16 Typescript of Wilis Johnson's diary from journey on Snake River and Columbia River 1939 April 23-June 4 1 17 Diary entries and related notes 1940-1942 1 18 Diary entries 1960 February 4-April 29 1964 May 4-October 5 1 19 Diaries, plus notes about supplies, films, and finances 1965 November 27-1966 1 20 Diary of journey on Mackenzie River and related notes 1968 July 14-August 1 1 21 Diary entries and related notes 1969 August-September 1 22 Diary entries and related notes 1970-1974 1 23 Diary entries and related notes 1974-1979 1 24 Book with notes, clippings, and diary entries 1980 2 1 Diary entries and related notes 1981 March-May 1984 March 18-November 25 2 2 Trip records and memorabilia Series 2 1918-1977

This series consists of trip logs, notes, maps, and ephemera relating to journeys that Burg undertook throughout his life. Of particular note are several folders of travel log entries and notes regarding Burg's expedition to Cape Horn and Tierra del Fuego from 1933 to 1934 on an assignment from the National Geographic Society. The series also includes materials relating to multiple river journeys in the United States and Canada, multiple expeditions to Alaska, a 1924 trip to East Asia, and a post-World War II trip to Norway. Some notes include patronizing or derogatory statements about Indigenous peoples. The collection also includes typescript and photocopied versions of the logs that Burg's colleagues Haldane "Buzz" Halstrom and Willis Johnson kept when all three were traveling on the Green and Colorado rivers.

Due to their condition, papers relating to Burg's expedition to Alaska from 1950 to 1951 in Box 9, Folders 1-3, may require assistance to view; contact library staff.

 Ephemera and memorabilia from trips, including currency, postcard packs, passenger lists, and menu 1918-1940 2 3 Trip logs for Lewis & Clark Trail expedition and Mississippi River journey; poem, "Song of the River," written by Burg during Mississippi River journey 1922 2 4 Trip log for Columbia River journey (photocopy) 1924 2 5 Trip log for journey from Seattle to East Asia (titled "Seattle to the Orient") 1924 2 6 Handwritten transcript and photocopied maps of Snake River journey with Harry Fogelburg 1925 2 7 Yukon River journey records, including notes, log entries, financial records, and possible film outline 1928 2 8 Notes, hand-drawn map, and trip log for MacKenzie River and Yukon River journey 1929 2 9 Map pages with markings showing 1929 trip from Athabasca to Whitehorse circa 1955 2 10 Maps with markings showing route of MacKenzie River and Yukon River journeys in the 1920s circa 1970 2 11 Trip log for and photograph of voyage on yacht Camargo 1931 January 17-August 20 2 12 Trip log, notes, and other records from journey to Cape Horn and Tierra del Fuego 1933-1934 2 13-18 Notes about Cape Horn and Tierra del Fuego, including notes about 1855 book "Captive in Patagonia" 1936-1947 2 19 Notes and caption scripts relating to National Geographic article about Cape Horn journey circa 1934-1937 2 20 Maps of South America, Cape Horn, and Tierra del Fuego circa 1935-1975 2 21 Notes, log entries, and clippings of photographs from Green River and Colorado River journey 1938 2 22 Typescript and photocopies of Amos Burg, Buzz Holstrom, and Willis Johnson's trip logs for Green River and Colorado River journey 1938 2 23 Notes, hand-drawn map, article drafts, and caption scripts relating to Snake River journey circa 1944-1945 2 24 Souvenir publication about Hammerfest, Norway circa 1950 2 25 Notes and correspondence relating to "North Star" voyage to Alaska 1950-1951 9 1-3 Chronology and itinerary for Bracher River journey 1968 2 26 Notebook for Mackenzie River voyage 1968 2 27 Log for trip to Cape Horn and related notes 1974 2 28 Equipment list and suggestions relating to Yukon River voyage 1977 2 29 Correspondence Series 3 circa 1918-1985 Correspondence to Amos Burg from his mother, Annie Burg circa 1940-1943 2 30 Correspondence from Amos Burg to his parents, Amos Burg, Sr. and Annie Burg circa 1918-1952 3 1-2 Correspondence between Amos Burg and family circa 1919-1985 3 3 Incoming personal correspondence, surname or organization name A-H circa 1924-1985 3 4-5 Incoming personal correspondence, surname or organization name I-Z circa 1924-1985 3 6-7 Incoming personal correspondence, no surname provided 1933-1985 3 8-9 Outgoing personal correspondence 1926-1935 3 10-11 Incoming and outgoing correspondence relating to Burg's work at Alaska Department of Fish and Game and related records 1970-1974 3 12-13 Incoming and outgoing correspondence with Encylopaedia Britannica Films and Erpi Classroom Films, Inc. 1938-1982 3 14 Incoming and outgoing correspondence with National Geographic Society 1924-1974 3 15 Incoming professional correspondence and related records, surname or organization name A-G 1930-1984 3 16 Incoming professional correspondence and related records, surname or organization name H-Z 1929-1984 3 17 Outgoing professional correspondence 1933-1972 3 18 Correspondence from and to Amos Burg and Carolyn Burg relating to proposal to move Alaska's state capital and related clippings 1979-1980 3 19 Topical research materials Series 4 1932-1982 Research notes and related photocopy of book pages on Colorado, Columbia, and Yukon rivers circa 1980 3 20 Research notes and published material on lifeboats 1947-1948 4 1 Research notes on Norway circa 1938 4 2 Research notes on Nunivak Island Inuit and related clippings 1940-1941 4 3-4 Notes for National Geographic articles on Oregon 1932-1933 4 5 Research notes on Pioneers' Home, Sitka, Alaska circa 1953 4 6 Notes and writings, primarily about Ferdinand Magellan at Cape Horn 1978 4 7 Unsorted research notes and published material used for research circa 1934-1982 4 8-12 Unpublished writings Series 5 circa 1915-1984

This series consists of unpublished writings by Burg other than his diaries and research notes. These include two short stories he wrote; the draft of an unfinished book; and compiled quotations, proverbs, and observations, most of which Burg labeled as "anecdotes."

 Short story written as a school assignment, "Si and I" circa 1915 4 13 Short story, "Love Confessions of a Sailor" circa 1920 4 14 Compiled quotes, proverbs, and observations, titled by Burg as "anecdotes" circa 1950-1980 4 15-16 Notes on life experiences, news, lectures, and other topics 1970 4 17 Notebook with notes, draft or copy of outgoing letter, and log entries 1973 4 18 Notes and partial transcript of unfinished work by Burg about his voyage on the Katia, dedicated to Skip Wallen 1984 4 19 Assorted writings circa 1920-1960 4 20 Typed and handwritten vocabulary lists circa 1935-1970 4 21 Handwritten and typed life advice and proverbs circa 1931-1980 4 22 Published materials by Burg Series 6 1925-1985 Covers for Alaska Fish Tales and Game Trails magazine using photos by Burg circa 1972-1978 4 23 Alaska Fish Tales and Game Trails column by Burg, "Campfire Reflections" circa 1973-1985 4 24 Drafts for "Campfire Reflections" column circa 1970-1980 5 1-2 Other Alaska Fish Tales and Game Trails articles by Burg circa 1972-1984 5 3 Drafts for and clippings of Daily Alaskan Empire column by Burg, "Mushin' Along Alaska Trails with Sourdough Sam" circa 1963-1967 5 4 National Geographic articles and photographs by Burg 1928-1975 5 5 Article by Burg about 1938 Colorado River journey circa 1939 5 6 Drafts for articles about Alaska circa 1940-1950 5 7 Drafts for articles about Colombia circa 1947 5 8 Drafts for articles about Burg's river voyages and related notes circa 1925-1975 5 9 Drafts for articles on various topics circa 1945-1975 5 10 Clippings of articles written by Burg in Alaska publications 1963-1984 5 11 Clippings of articles written by Burg or photographs taken by Burg in publications outside Alaska 1925-1979 5 12 Lectures and speeches Series 7 circa 1930-1980 Lecture and speech notes and drafts circa 1930-1975 5 13 Lecture and speech notes and drafts circa 1930-1980 5 14 Book of lecture notes circa 1940-1960 5 15 Programs, itineraries, advertisements, and financial records for lectures and lecture tours 1931-1966 5 16 Notes for speech to Seattle Rotary Club about news around the world circa 1950 5 17 Speech about Burg's job at Alaska Department of Fish and Game circa 1970 5 18 Speech to Explorers Club undated 5 19 Materials relating to films by Burg Series 8 circa 1928-1989 Essay by person named "Mark" about Burg film, "The Story Behind the Alaska Big Game Safari Film 1960" circa 1965 5 20 Loan records for and notes about Alaska Department of Fish and Game films 1968-1974 5 21 Handbooks, background information, advertisements, and shooting scripts for Encyclopaedia Britannica films and Erpi Classroom Films 1941-1982 5 22 Shooting script, records, and notes for film "Navajo Wood Plant," and related publications 1974-1980 5 23 Correspondence and financial records relating to film "Navajo Wood Plant"; note from Carolyn Burg about production of film 1974-1977 1989 June 7 5 24 Text for film, "On the Hudson's Bay Trail to the Polar Sea" 1968 5 25 Captions and text for films about Alaska circa 1928-1950 5 26 Captions for films by Burg circa 1940-1975 6 1 Script drafts, captions, and notes for films shown at Burg's lectures circa 1940-1966 6 2 Notes on films made in 1928 circa 1980 6 3 Unsorted papers related to filmmaking circa 1970-1980 6 4 Published materials about Burg Series 9 1924-1986 Newspaper and magazine clippings about Burg 1924-1986 6 5-9 National Geographic Society Members' newsletters mentioning Burg 1941 1934 6 10 Radio interview scripts and transcripts 1935-1936 6 11 Article about Burg by Jean Steffens circa 1940 6 12 Draft of article about Burg's films, author unidentified circa 1950 6 13 Article about Burg, author unidentified 1965 6 14 Draft and final versions of Explorer's Journal article about Burg by Oshen Agathon 1981-1982 6 15 Article in Alaska Magazine, quoting Burg's opposition to river dams 1984 June 6 16 Explorer's Club newsletter with feature about Burg 1984 6 17 Essay by Ken Wise, "North to Alaska - by Canoe (Two Thousand Miles from Seattle to Circle, Alaska)," citing Burg as an inspiration 1985 6 18 "Campfire Reflections" column by Mark Kissel about Burg 1986 6 19 Records of the schooner Endeavour Series 10 1908-1989

This series relates to a schooner that Burg purchased around 1939 and initially named the Captain R. O. Rankin after its former owner before changing its name to Endeavour. In addition to official paperwork relating to the ship, this series includes the ship's plans, a manual for its operation, logbook entries, a few photographs, and two newspaper articles about the ship. The series also includes notes that Amos Burg and his wife, Carolyn Burg, wrote about the ship in the 1980s, and a photograph of a drawing depicting a different ship, the H. M. Bark Endeavour, which may have been the namesake of Burg's schooner.

Due to condition, plans for ship equipment in Oversize Folder 1 may require assistance to view; contact library staff.

 Ship documentation 1939-1982 6 20 Ship manual (black and white photocopy and preservation color photocopy) 1908 6 21 Ship plans (photocopies of sections) circa 1908 6 22 Ship equipment plans circa 1908 Oversize 1 Newspaper clipping about Burg purchasing Endeavour 1939 July 6 6 23 Notes about best practices in sailing circa 1941 6 24 Logbook 1958 6 25 Log entries 1973 6 26 Photographs (1 print and 2 photocopies) circa 1950-1970 6 27 Article about Endeavour's new engine 1971 6 28 Financial records undated 6 29 Notes by Amos Burg and Carolyn Burg about Endeavour; photograph of drawing of H. M. Bark Endeavour circa 1980-1989 6 30 Personal and family papers and memorabilia Series 11 circa 1855-1989 circa 1913-1989 Awards and certificates 1962-1984 6 31 Award certificate from Encyclopaedia Britannica Educational Corporation 1978 8 3 Club member rosters, membership cards, and business cards 1935-1985 6 32 Rotary Club materials: Cover of Rotarian with photo by Burg; newsletters; telegram 1943 1964-1970 6 33 Diploma from Oregon Institute of Technology 1937 June 7 6 34 Passports 1943-1944 6 35 Photograph of Burg's flag with insignia and humorous "instructions" for flag's use undated 6 36 Alaska property records 1958-1971 6 37 Burg's resumé 1968 6 38 Scrapbook pages with clippings, publications, postcards, and correspondence circa 1933-1969 6 39 Scrapbook pages with clippings, ephemera, and correspondence (original) 1922-1940 8 2 Scrapbook pages with clippings, ephemera, and correspondence (preservation photocopies) 1922-1940 8 1 Wills and testaments of Amos Burg and Carolyn Burg 1968 May 6 6 40 Memorial service programs for Burg; eulogy for Burg by Cort Conley 1986 6 41 Correspondence to and from Carolyn Burg 1955-1989 6 42 Newspaper articles by Carolyn Burg; newspaper clipping about Carolyn Burg 1965 August 8 1967 August 22; 1968 May 17 6 43 Copy of legislation suggested by Carolyn Burg, with notes by her 1989 6 44 Memoirs of Amos Burg's sister, Vera Burg Yunker 1982 6 45 Eulogy for Haldane "Buzz" Holstrom circa 1950 6 46 Partial letter by unknown author to "Rolf and Betty" discussing Haldane "Buzz" Holstrom and Amos Burg 1980 October 21 6 47 Poster advertising Utah State History Museum exhibit about 1937-1938 river expeditions by Amos Burg and Haldane "Buzz" Holstrom circa 1975 8 4 Financial record for canoe "Song o' the Winds" undated 6 48 Advertisement for Dwight Long lecture about his sailing around the world circa 1939 6 49 Maps of Snake River, Porcupine River region, and Middle Fork of Salmon River circa 1913-1955 1976 Oversize 2 Map of Canadian Arctic Expedition routes circa 1920 Oversize 3 Maps of Alaska Steamship Company routes circa 1940 6 50 Powell Centennial Grand Canyon River Guide, including a mention of Amos Burg 1969 6 51 Report, possibly written by Amos Burg, about missing biologists Peter Winslow and Rex Thomas 1969 6 52 Pencil sketches by Ralphael Livingstone circa 1922 6 53 Account by Michael Lesley, "Yukon River Float Trip, August 1977," and accompanying illustration of moose hoofprint circa 1978 6 54 Voters' pamphlet with markings by Carolyn Burg and possibly Amos Burg 1978 6 55 Typescript copy of William Parker Snow's account about Tierra del Fuego, with brief annotations by Amos Burg undated 6 56 Tierra del Fuego memorabilia: lithographs of schooner Allen Gardiner at Cape Horn; photograph of Indigenous peoples; clipping from magazine of Nathaniel Brown Palmer's portrait circa 1855-1975 6 57 Reference articles and publications of interest to Amos Burg 1938-1979 6 58 Collection of inspirational literature undated 6 59 Religious pamphlet, "Awake and Inherit," with markings by Amos Burg 1937 undated 6 60 Guest book pages 1927-1931 7 1 Book with guest entries and notes about Christmas card recipients 1976-1978 7 2 Address book circa 1945-1950 7 3 Addresses circa 1935 circa 1970-1980 7 4 Unsorted papers and clippings circa 1925-1981 7 5