Newspaper Collection Finding Aid

Scope and Content

Descriptive Summary

Creator: Red Cross, Oregon Trail Chapter, 1917-2005.

Title: Oregon Trail Chapter Red Cross Special Collection.

Dates: 1918-1995 [bulk 1960-1979]

Abstract: Newspaper articles from various sources and publications that record the actions of the Red Cross during natural disasters and public emergencies.

Quantity:

Repository: Archives and Special Collections, Portland State University.

Acquisition: Gifts and donations from former Red Cross workers and their families and friends.

Processed by: Phil Phifer and Jeremy Gibboney, June 2005.

Restrictions

Access: Access is to be determined by the Oregon Trail Chapter of the Red Cross when transfer to new facility is completed.

Related Materials American Red Cross Collections

The Collections of the National Red Cross, which includes materials from its creation to present day. A brief history of the Red Cross and timelines. Facts, exhibits, and activities for youth.

Scope and Content Note

The Newspaper collection of the Oregon Trail chapter of the Red Cross, chronicles the actions taken by the Red Cross during a century of conflict and turmoil. Everything from war to natural disasters are catalogued through various newspapers and periodicals:

1. Newspaper articles from 1918-1956

2. Newspaper articles from 1962-1969

3. Newspaper articles from 1970-1971

4. Newspaper articles from 1972-1995 & Undated

Whenever possible all newspapers clippings have been placed into chronological order and separated by decades and months. The materials have been placed in acid-free folders and stacked in acid free-boxes. Most of the original newspaper clippings have been retained and the rest have been photo copied. The clippings contain articles and front page photos with captions and headlines. Oversized and artifacts have been separated and grouped together for preservation purposes.

Newspaper articles from 1918-1956: These articles center on the immediate aftermath of WWI and the response of the world as it attempts to recover. These articles also cover the years of the second World War, unfortunately there have not been as many articles saved and donated from this time period. This folder contains mostly articles about the Vanport flood of 1948 where 46,000 people lost their homes and 62 were hospitalized in Vanport, Oregon.

Newspaper articles from 1962-1969: Contains articles that are centered on storms and flood that shook Oregon in 1962 and 1964. The Columbus day storm in ‘62 left 27 dead and 100 injured in Clark County, Washington and Oregon. In ‘64 the coast of Oregon suffered from some of the worst flooding and winds in history. The articles are mostly from the Oregonian and the Oregon Journal and contain front page photos and captions along with the articles.

Newspaper articles from 1970-1971: This folder does not contain any natural disaster relief from the Oregon Trail Chapter of the Red Cross, but it does include public relations of the time and administrative changes that occurred. Increases emphasis on blood donors and their recognition. Many efforts to gain new donors. The Oregonian and the Oregon Journal are the majority of the articles contained in the folder.

Newspaper articles from 1972-1995 & Undated: Articles from the late ‘70s and ‘80s are not plentiful. The articles make reference to relief given for various storms and disasters of the time. The United Airlines crash of 1978 receives a lot of coverage in the local newspapers in and around Portland, Oregon. The eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980 drew much relief and support from the Red Cross. Also covers the Oregon Earthquakes of 1993. Contains articles from the Oregonian and the Oregon Journal. Most of the articles have been photo copied for preservation purposes and storage concerns. The undated material covers all the date ranges covered in the archive, but were unidentifiable and therefore placed in a separate folder. Undated articles are simply listed in no other order.