Scope and Contents note
The collection contains the files of the Oregon Democratic Party and spans the period between 1952 and 1968; however, the major portion is from the early 1960s. The files lack the continuity one expects from a professional organization. It is apparent that they were filed poorly and spasmodically, with little funding and support for proper record keeping. In other words, the collection reflects an organization dependent upon voluntary support for maintenance of its records.
Included in the collection is correspondence with political figures and general citizenry. Much material deals with funding, finances, and organization, as well as contemporary major issues. Campaigns, conventions, conferences and committees make up a large part of the collection. Major correspondents are Martha A. Adelsheim; John Allen; John B. Bailey; John C. Beatty, Jr.; Robert A. Boyer; Harriet G. Civin; Edith Green; Beulah J. Hand; Hubert H. Humphrey; Howard Morgan; Wayne L. Morse; Maurine B. Neuberger; Merlyn W. Smith; E. Dennis Spencer; Jack F. Thompson; Albert C. Ullman; Blake Whipple.
Dates
- 1952-1968
Creator
- Democratic Party (Or.) (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.
Conditions Governing Use note
Property rights reside with Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish collection materials must be submitted to Special Collections and University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.
Biographical/Historical note
Oregon began as a Republican state due to the migration of union partisans who created a Republican stronghold. The New Deal and the Great Depression marked the beginning of Democratic influence in Oregon as people came to work in the forests and shipyards. However a competitive Democratic party did not emerge until the 1950s.
Extent
6 linear feet (4 containers)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Caroline Wilkins, who served as the State Chairperson of the Democratic Party of Oregon, presented the University of Oregon Library with the party files in October of 1972. The files span the period between 1952 and 1968; however, the major portion is from the early 60s. Included in the collection is correspondence with political figures and general citizenry. Much material deals with funding, finances, and organization, as well as contemporary major issues. Campaigns, conventions, conferences and committees make up a large part of the collection. Major correspondents are Martha A. Adelsheim; John Allen; John B. Bailey; John C. Beatty, Jr.; Robert A. Boyer; Harriet G. Civin; Edith Green; Beulah J. Hand; Hubert H. Humphrey; Howard Morgan; Wayne L. Morse; Maurine B. Neuberger; Merlyn W. Smith; E. Dennis Spencer; Jack F. Thompson; Albert C. Ullman; Blake Whipple.
Arrangement note
Collection is organized into the following series: Correspondence; County Organizations; Democratic State Central Committee; General Information Files; Democratic pre-primary platform convention (1964): Corvallis; Democratic post-primary platform convention: Coos Bay (1964); Democratic pre-primary platform convention: Medford (1966); Democratic pre-primary convention: Eugene (1968); Democratic primary platform convention: Coos Bay (1968); Democratic National Committee; Democratic National Convention; Western States Democratic Conference; and Subject Files. Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by correspondent. Three oversized “C” folders are filed at the end of the series.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Caroline Wilkins, who served as the State Chairperson of the Democratic Party of Oregon, presented the University of Oregon Library with the party files in October of 1972.
Processing Information
Collection processed by staff.
This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.
- Adelsheim, Martha Ann
- Democratic Party (Or.)
- McCarthy, Eugene J., 1916-2005
- Morse, Wayne L. (Wayne Lyman), 1900-1974
- Neuberger, Maurine B. (Maurine Brown), 1907-2000
- Oregon Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Oregon -- Politics and government -- 1951- Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Political campaigns -- Oregon Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Political conventions -- Oregon Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Politics and Politicians Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Title
- Guide to the Democratic Party of Oregon records
- Status
- Complete Description
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Rose M. Smith
- Date
- 2004
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Repository Details
Part of the University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives Repository
