Collection is open for research.
Gift of Mrs. S. Mason (Mira H.) Ehrman, 1978 (Photo Acc. 978D087).
The collection is arranged in four series:
The United Service Organizations (USO) was formed in 1941 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt to handle the on-leave recreation of the United States armed forces. It comprised six private civilian organizations, including the Salvation Army, Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), National Catholic Community Services, the National Aid Association, and the National Jewish Welfare Board. USO centers became a destination for many servicemen searching for rest and relaxation. The centers also provided an opportunity for community groups to assist in keeping up the morale and well-being of young servicemen. During the 1940s, there were as many as 3,000 USO clubs around the world, and servicemen could enjoy activities such as dances, movies, coffee, and talk.
The USO in Portland, Oregon, was started in 1941 agencies including the YMCA, the YWCA, and the Red Cross. The YMCA and YWCA hosted dances and socials every weekend for servicemen on leave. Junior Hostess volunteers entertained the troops through holiday formals, theme parties, luncheons, and "Girl of the Month" contests. Senior Hostesses attended to USO business matters through meetings and community socials, as well as acting as chaperones for the younger hostesses and servicemen. In 1950, USO agencies in Portland briefly closed; however, in September 1951, an official USO office opened on 941 SW Broadway, thanks to the efforts of Mira Ehrman, the vice chair of the Oregon State USO and member of the USO national board. (She would be later honored Oregon's "Mrs. USO.") The Broadway location was generally used as an information center, and the Portland USO also combined efforts with the Special Services Sector of the Air Force base of Portland. Dances were held at the YMCA or YWCA, and volunteers worked at Union Station and the examining center in order to acquaint servicemen with the USO.
United Service Organizations, Portland, Or. photographs collection, Org. Lot 91, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Collection was arranged and described by Renee Ziemann in May 2006. Minor revisions were made to the collection guide in January 2025 to clarify some dates and to conform to current standard.
This collection consists of 431 photographs, both color and black and white, pertaining to the activities of the United Service Organizations (USO) in Portland, Oregon, from 1951-1974. The photographs largely depict social gatherings, including USO-sponsored luncheons, dances, "Girl of the Month" celebrations, and other parties for servicemen and volunteers, as well as images of the junior and senior hostesses who worked with the USO and executive personnel. Other photographs depict USO annual meetings and business affairs, as well as some USO activities outside of Portland.
Photographers include Al Jessen, Carl E. Vermilya, and Photo-Art Commercial Studios, all of Portland, as well as some military photographers, among others.
United Service Organizations records and scrapbooks were cataloged separately as Mss 2510, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
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.
Series is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Includes photographs of USO float entry, 10th Anniversary of Women in the Armed Forces parade entry, and Armed Forces Marching Band.
The USS Hector, a repair ship during World War II and the Korean War, won the Battle Efficiency Plaque for the years 1953-1954 and 1954-1955.
Includes photographs of United States military officers, USO personnel, and professional golfers.
Includes photograph of Admiral John L. Hall, national campaign director.
Photograph taken at the Oregonian Hostess House.
Photographs taken at the Oregonian Hostess House. Includes photographs of a guest speaker, Allen L. Chickering.
Photographs taken at the Oregonian Hostess House. Includes photographs of guest speaker, Martin A. Vanderberg, as well as others.
Photographs taken at the Oregonian Hostess House.
Includes a photograph of Chairman Applegate.
Photographs taken from the Aero Club, Portland, Oregon. Includes photographs of Portland Mayor Terry D. Schrunk; U.S. Air Force Officers; USO National Assistant Secretary James Mitchell; USO City Committee Chairman Mrs. S. Mason Ehrman (Mira Ehrman).
Series is organized alphabetically by subject.
Photographs taken from USO exhibit at Air Force base hangar. Includes photographs of USO personnel, including Executive Secretary Evangelina McIntosh.
Includes photographs of young United States military officers and Governor Douglas McKay with USO personnel.
Series is organized alphabetically by subject.
Photograph of annual meeting at Portland Air Force base.
Series is organized alphabetically by subject.
Photograph includes part of the USO Educational Theatre Group from the University of Portland and the Japanese Fulbright scholars who were guests at the reception in their honor.