Welcome to the ARC Oregon Trail Chapter Archives!

About this project

The work of building the archives of the Oregon Trail Chapter (OTC) of the American Red Cross took place in a Portland State University “Capstone” course, a special senior-year class offered in the University Studies curriculum.  The class was team taught by an historian and an archivist, who developed a collaboration with the volunteer coordinator at the OTC in the summer of 2004.  Students in this course tackled the making of history with a hands-on approach to archive creation and maintenance. They did reading and heard lectures on the nature of information, records, historical documentation, and archival administration and practice, as well as the role of archives in modern society. About half way through the ten-week term, students went into workshop mode and, working directly on the OTC historic materials, began to practice and apply the skills necessary to understand and implement archival functions and research methods.  The students and faculty worked with the community partner to create a public program, web pages, electronic finding aids, and displays to bring the archive's holdings to life.

See Archiving Pictures

Many professionals and colleagues supported this project and leant their time and expertise toward its success. 

Judy Olivier, Volunteer Coordinator, Oregon Trail Chapter, American Red Cross

Diana Banning, Archivist; Brian Johnson, Assistant Archivist, Stanley Parr Archives and Records Center, City of Portland

Jeremy Skinner, Archives, Lewis and Clark College

Linda Walton, Chair, Department of History, Portland State University

Jennifer Dorner, Librarian, Portland State University

UNST Capstone Program, Portland State University

Inge Wortman and the IDSC Lab at Portland State University

 This project reflects the dedication and intelligence of the amazing Portland State University students who worked tirelessly and always gave their best.

It has been a real inspiration making history with you!

Doug Ericksen, Lewis and Clark College

Patricia A. Schechter, Portland State University

June, 2005