Oregon Historical Society
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| Oregon Historical Society | |
|---|---|
 Seal of the Oregon Historical Society |
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| Formation | 1898 |
| Type | Historical society |
| Headquarters | Portland, Oregon |
| Location | Oregon |
| Website | ohs.org |
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.
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[edit] History
The Society was organized on December 17, 1898, in Portland at the Portland Library Building.[1] The first president was Harvey W. Scott, with memberships totaling 370 in the first year.[1]. 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.[1] In 1917, the Society moved into Portland’s Public Auditorium (now Keller Auditorium) and, in 1966, moved to its current location.[2]
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.[citation needed] 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.[3] The $2.8 million given by the state over the two years equals 30% of the annual operating budget.[citation needed]
[edit] Divisions
The Society's museum, archives and research library contains approximately 8.5 million feet of film and videotape, over 2.5 million photographs, 85,000 artifacts, 30,000 books, 25,000 maps, 16,000 rolls of microfilm, 12,000 feet (3,700 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.[4]
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.[5] University of Washington Press is handling all distribution of OHS Press books still in print.[5] Publication of the Oregon Historical Quarterly will continue.[5]
The OHS Museum Store is located in the lobby of the National Register of Historic Places-designated Sovereign Hotel.[6] The building was added to the register in 1981.[7]
[edit] See also
- Frederick Van Voorhies Holman - former president of OHS
- Oregon Encyclopedia - in 2008, the OHS and the PSU history department announced plans to create an online encyclopedia.
- Neil Goldschmidt - in 2004, access to historical records of Goldschmidt's term as Governor brought the OHS's role in such matters under public scrutiny.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Corning, Howard M. Dictionary of Oregon History. Binfords & Mort Publishing, 1956.
- ^ "History" (Website). About Us. Oregon Historical Society History. 2008. http://www.ohs.org/about-ohs/history.cfm. Retrieved January 2, 2009.
- ^ Senate Bill 5549 of 2007
- ^ LewisAndClarkTrail.com: Oregon History Center
- ^ a b c "About the Press". Oregon Historical Society. http://www.ohs.org/research/publications/About-the-press.cfm. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
- ^ OHS: Museum store
- ^ Oregon NRHP list
