Oregon Historical Society
Encyclopedia
The Oregon Historical Society (OHS) is an organization that encourages and promotes the study and understanding of the history of the Oregon Country
, within the broader context of U.S. history
. Incorporated in 1898, the Society collects, preserves, and makes available materials of historical character and interest, and collaborates with other groups and individuals with similar aims. The society operates the Oregon History Center that includes the Oregon Historical Society Museum
in downtown Portland
.
, with memberships totaling 370 in the first year. Shortly after its formation, the Society opened its first office and museum in Portland City Hall
and began the development of a regional research library and a collection of historical artifacts. In 1900 the first issue of the Oregon Historical Quarterly was printed as the official publication of the organization. In 1917, the Society moved into Portland’s Public Auditorium (now Keller Auditorium
) and, in 1966, moved to its current location.
Tom Vaughan stepped down from his 35-year presidency in 1990. Chet Orloff, who had left OHS in 1987 for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Historical Society in Pasadena, California
, was considered by The Oregonian
to be heir-apparent, but Bill Tramposch was brought in from Williamsburg, Virginia
. Staff members staged a "coup" at the society, and Orloff returned to Portland in 1991, being appointed deputy director on January 1, 1992 after the staff turmoil and mismanagement, which had led to the resignation of nearly 30 staff members and Tramposch. Orloff remained in position for ten years, retiring at the end of 2000.
Dr. George L. Vogt was appointed as the eighth Executive Director of OHS in November 2006. Dr. Vogt is a former president of the American Association for State and Local History
. In July 2007, the Oregon Historical Society was awarded a $2.8 million biennial appropriation from the State of Oregon, though the organization is not a state entity. The $2.8 million given by the state over the two years equals 30% of the annual operating budget.
, over 2.5 million photographs, 85,000 artifacts, 30,000 books, 25,000 maps, 16,000 rolls of microfilm, 12000 feet (3,657.6 m) of documents, and oral history
preserved in more than 8,400 hours of recordings covering over 2,100 interviews. The society has one of the largest collections of historic photographs in the United States
.
OHS has published the Oregon Historical Quarterly continuously since 1900. Since 1929, the Oregon Historical Society Press has published over 150 books on Oregon history, politics, culture, and biographies, including Oregon Geographic Names
. As of 2009, the press has suspended operations. University of Washington Press is handling all distribution of OHS Press books still in print. Publication of the Oregon Historical Quarterly will continue.
The OHS Museum Store is located in the lobby of the National Register of Historic Places
-designated Sovereign Hotel
. The building was added to the register in 1981.
Oregon Country
The Oregon Country was a predominantly American term referring to a disputed ownership region of the Pacific Northwest of North America. The region was occupied by British and French Canadian fur traders from before 1810, and American settlers from the mid-1830s, with its coastal areas north from...
, within the broader context of U.S. history
History of the United States
The history of the United States traditionally starts with the Declaration of Independence in the year 1776, although its territory was inhabited by Native Americans since prehistoric times and then by European colonists who followed the voyages of Christopher Columbus starting in 1492. The...
. Incorporated in 1898, the Society collects, preserves, and makes available materials of historical character and interest, and collaborates with other groups and individuals with similar aims. The society operates the Oregon History Center that includes the Oregon Historical Society Museum
Oregon Historical Society Museum
The Oregon Historical Society Museum is a history museum housed at the Oregon History Center in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. The museum was created in 1898 and house about 44,000 visitors annually....
in downtown Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
.
History
The Society was organized on December 17, 1898, in Portland at the Portland Library Building. The first president was Harvey W. ScottHarvey W. Scott
Harvey Whitefield Scott was an American pioneer, newspaper editor, and historian.Scott was born in on a farm in Illinois and migrated to Oregon with his family in 1852, settling in Yamhill County. He and his family moved near Olympia, Washington in 1853. At age 18, he fought in the American Indian...
, with memberships totaling 370 in the first year. Shortly after its formation, the Society opened its first office and museum in Portland City Hall
Portland City Hall (Oregon)
Portland City Hall is the headquarters of city government of Portland, Oregon, United States. The four-story Italian Renaissance-style building houses the offices of the City Council, which consists of the mayor and four commissioners, and several other offices. City Hall is also home to the City...
and began the development of a regional research library and a collection of historical artifacts. In 1900 the first issue of the Oregon Historical Quarterly was printed as the official publication of the organization. In 1917, the Society moved into Portland’s Public Auditorium (now Keller Auditorium
Keller Auditorium
Keller Auditorium, formerly known as the Portland Municipal Auditorium, the Portland Public Auditorium, and the Portland Civic Auditorium, is a performing arts center located on Clay Street in Portland, Oregon, United States. It is part of the Portland Center for the Performing Arts...
) and, in 1966, moved to its current location.
Tom Vaughan stepped down from his 35-year presidency in 1990. Chet Orloff, who had left OHS in 1987 for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Historical Society in Pasadena, California
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
, was considered by The Oregonian
The Oregonian
The Oregonian is the major daily newspaper in Portland, Oregon, owned by Advance Publications. It is the oldest continuously published newspaper on the U.S. west coast, founded as a weekly by Thomas J. Dryer on December 4, 1850...
to be heir-apparent, but Bill Tramposch was brought in from Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg is an independent city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, USA. As of the 2010 Census, the city had an estimated population of 14,068. It is bordered by James City County and York County, and is an independent city...
. Staff members staged a "coup" at the society, and Orloff returned to Portland in 1991, being appointed deputy director on January 1, 1992 after the staff turmoil and mismanagement, which had led to the resignation of nearly 30 staff members and Tramposch. Orloff remained in position for ten years, retiring at the end of 2000.
Dr. George L. Vogt was appointed as the eighth Executive Director of OHS in November 2006. Dr. Vogt is a former president of the American Association for State and Local History
American Association for State and Local History
The American Association for State and Local History is a non-profit association for state and local history, with a primary focus on museums and historical societies. It is headquartered in Nashville, TN, and has over 6,300 members...
. In July 2007, the Oregon Historical Society was awarded a $2.8 million biennial appropriation from the State of Oregon, though the organization is not a state entity. The $2.8 million given by the state over the two years equals 30% of the annual operating budget.
Divisions
The Society's museum, archives and research library contains approximately 8.5 million feet of film and videotapeVideotape
A videotape is a recording of images and sounds on to magnetic tape as opposed to film stock or random access digital media. Videotapes are also used for storing scientific or medical data, such as the data produced by an electrocardiogram...
, over 2.5 million photographs, 85,000 artifacts, 30,000 books, 25,000 maps, 16,000 rolls of microfilm, 12000 feet (3,657.6 m) of documents, and oral history
Oral history
Oral history is the collection and study of historical information about individuals, families, important events, or everyday life using audiotapes, videotapes, or transcriptions of planned interviews...
preserved in more than 8,400 hours of recordings covering over 2,100 interviews. The society has one of the largest collections of historic photographs in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
OHS has published the Oregon Historical Quarterly continuously since 1900. Since 1929, the Oregon Historical Society Press has published over 150 books on Oregon history, politics, culture, and biographies, including Oregon Geographic Names
Oregon Geographic Names
Oregon Geographic Names is an authoritative compilation of the origin and meaning of place names in the U.S. state of Oregon. , the book is in its seventh edition and is compiled and edited by Lewis L. McArthur, who took over from his father, Lewis A. McArthur, as of the fourth edition...
. As of 2009, the press has suspended operations. University of Washington Press is handling all distribution of OHS Press books still in print. Publication of the Oregon Historical Quarterly will continue.
The OHS Museum Store is located in the lobby of the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
-designated Sovereign Hotel
Sovereign Hotel (Oregon)
The Sovereign Hotel was a Portland, Oregon, hotel built in 1923. The nine story building was added to the United States' National Register of Historic Places on December 2, 1981. Part of the building houses a portion of the Oregon Historical Society’s Oregon History Center.-Details:The Georgian...
. The building was added to the register in 1981.
Legacy
Noting that the four successive presidents after Harvey Scott were attorneys, historian E. Kimbark MacColl stated:young Portland lawyers at the turn of the [20th] century ... rose to civic prominence, ... became actively involved in the Oregon Historical Society, and ... were instrumental in fabricating an "Oregon Story" that was heavily laden with mythology, hero worship and pioneer idolization. [Charles H.] Carey, Scott, and others, constituted a group of politician-writers who advised: Don't hurt the party. Don't divide up America into classes by denouncing the rich and exciting "the envy and hatred of the poor." Spare the city's reputation.... Carey and Scott would never admit they had made mistakes or that the old system was rotten.
See also
- Frederick Van Voorhies HolmanFrederick Van Voorhies HolmanFrederick Van Voorhies Holman was a prominent lawyer and civic leader of the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Portland in the U.S. state of Oregon. Legal counsel for the Portland Railway, Light and Power Company and other businesses, he was active in Democratic Party politics and in...
- former president of OHS - Oregon Encyclopedia - in 2008, the OHS and the PSUPortland State UniversityPortland State University is a public state urban university located in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1946, it has the largest overall enrollment of any university in the state of Oregon, including undergraduate and graduate students. It is also the only public university in...
history department announced plans to create an online encyclopedia. - Neil GoldschmidtNeil GoldschmidtNeil Edward Goldschmidt is an American businessman and former Democratic politician from Oregon who held local, state, and federal offices over three decades. After serving as the governor of Oregon, Goldschmidt is widely considered the most influential figure in the state's politics, both as an...
- in 2004, access to historical records of Goldschmidt's term as Governor brought the OHS's role in such matters under public scrutiny.