Category Archives: New Accessions

What were students studying 99 years ago?

A collection delivery from the Hyslop Crop Science Field Research Laboratory included a few items from OAC alum Casey Strome. I’m perpetually delighted by these little glimpses into academic world of woebegone days!

The collection isn’t processed for viewing, but you can always email us if you are interested and we’ll let you know when it’s ready.

Friday Feature: 15 Views of Oregon Agricultural College

Great things come in little packages, right?

“15 Views of OAC,” front view

Measuring 5 1/2″ x 3 1/2″, the “15 Views of Oregon Agricultural College” includes 15 pictures of various spots on campus (each measuring a mere 3 1/2″ x 2″). It is just a bundle of fun! There is a whole Flickr set, so while the day away and explore the days of yore!

This is part of a new addition to the George P. Griffis Portfolio and Scrapbook collection, assembled by Griffis to document his career with The Oregonian newspaper and the Pacific National Advertising Agency in Portland, Oregon. The materials were donated in 2010 by Griffis’ daughter, Joan E. Griffis. Another accession in 2011 added materials on Griffis’ student experience at OAC, as well as a hand-drawn card to commemorate his promotion to the Oregon Advertising Club. The new addition to the collection, of which this little gem is a part, is mostly photographs. You can read about the particulars of the collection online.

George Griffis attended Oregon State College from 1926 to 1929 and studied engineering and business. During his student years, he was national advertising manager for the Barometer campus newspaper; he continued this work as promotion manager for The Oregonian newspaper in Portland, Oregon, from 1929 until 1951. In 1951, Griffis left the The Oregonian to work for the Pacific National Advertising Agency where he worked until 1963, when he formed his own advertising firm. The George P. Griffis Publishing Internship at the Oregon State University Press was established in 2010.

Friday Feature: class pictures!

Line up!

Photo of the OSC student body, 1931

Taken in 1931, this lovely & long landscape picture is probably most of the student body in 1931. It looks to be taken from the “OAC Cadet Bandstand,” which was removed when the current library was built.

My favorite is the late arrival sauntering across the quad!

Late arrival!

In case you are looking for it or others like it, you’ll find it in Harriet’s Collection. And if you’d like to know more about the bandstand, George Edmonston has written a short piece about it, and the Lady of the Fountain, on the Alumni Association site.

Friday Feature: rolling in the new accessions

It’s that special time of year when archivists get all sorts of wonderful gifts. This year we had an especially good haul from the Facilities Services department, which added many boxes of campus building plans!

Want to know more about campus planning?

In addition to the Facilities Services Records, 1888-2003, there are also several great places to look for information. The Memorabilia Collection includes brochures and general information about Facilities Services, about individual structures, and materials pertaining to campus planning. More detailed information about the construction of some major buildings is available in the records of the corresponding office or department; for example, information about construction and remodeling of the Valley Library (and its predecessors, the Kerr Library and Kidder Hall) are available in the Library Records (RG 009).

Capital Construction Funding Records, as well as other materials pertaining to buildings and facilities, are part of the Business Affairs Records (RG 017). Additional correspondence from Gordon V. Skelton is available in the Civil Engineering Department Records (RG 030).

We also have several great online exhibits for your viewing pleasure including OSU Building Construction and Holsteins, Horses, and Hogs: the Barns of Oregon State. Another resource is the Chronological History of OSU, which is invaluable for those landmark dates, developments, and events.