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Willamette University and Northwest collection

 Collection
Identifier: WUA014

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents: The Willamette University and Northwest Collection is a collection begun in the early 1940s in an effort to aggregate historical materials, orphan documents, and fragmentary papers on the history of Willamette University and the Pacific Northwest. It contains a wide variety of materials including maps, photographs, letters, newspapers, early histories of the University, ledgers and publications.

The collection is organized into five series: People, Willamette University, Northwest, Ephemera, and Oak Salvage Oral Hisory project.

Dates

  • Creation: 1770-2023

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Library acts as “fair use” reproduction agent.

For further information, see the section on copyright in the Regulations and Procedures of the Willamette University Archives and Special Collections.

Copyright Information: Before material from collections at Willamette University Archives and Special Collections may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permission. Persons wishing to quote from materials in any collections held by University Archives and Special Collections should consult the University Archivist. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.

Historical Note

The Willamette Univeristy and Northwest Collection is an active collection comprised of donations from multiple sources. Robert Moulton Gatke compiled the bulk of the collection during his tenure at Willamette University. Gatke started as a student, attending Willamette Academy in 1914, moving through both undergraduate and graduate school at Willamette, receiving his Master of Arts in 1920. He was ordained as a minister of the Methodist Church in 1920. Gatke then joined the Willamette faculty as a history instructor. He later founded the political science department at Willamette. In 1935, he was promoted to professor of political science and history.

Gatke was particularly interested in the history of the Northwest. While gathering research for his book Chronicles of Willamette, he compiled letters, documents, and other historical materials to help document the history of Willamette University and the Northwest. Willamette University Alumnus and Professor Francis H. Grubbs contributed materials regarding Jason Lee, his father-in-law.

As an active collection, it continues to grow, with new additions added periodically.

Extent

11 Linear Feet (9 boxes)

Overview

This collection contains letters, manuscripts, maps, and photographs pertaining to the history of Willamette University and the Northwest.

Arrangement

This collection has been organized into five series: I. People; II. Willamette University; III. Northwest; IV. Ephemera; and V. Oak Salvage Oral History Project.

Physical Location

Mark O. Hatfield Library

Related Materials

For more Willamette University and Northwest history, see the Robert M. Gatke “Chronicles of Willamette” research collection, the Reuben P. Boise family papers, the Sybil Westenhouse Research papers on Oregon and the City of Salem, and the Willamette University publications collection.

Separated Materials

Publication materials such as student yearbooks, Alumnus magazines, and catalogs were added to the University Publications collection.

Bibliography

Gatke, Robert M. Chronicles of Willamette :The Pioneer University of the West (Portland, Or.: Binfords and Mort, 1943).
Title
Guide to the Willamette University and Northwest collection, 1770-2023
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid processed by Abigail Jensen.
Date
© 2024
Description rules
Dacs
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Willamette University Archives and Special Collections Collection Descriptions

Contact:
Mark O. Hatfield Library
900 State Street
Salem Oregon 97301 United States