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WomanShare records

 Collection
Identifier: Coll 269

Scope and Contents

Series I contains a small amount of outgoing correspondence and related notes from Billie Miracle and other members during 1987.

Series II is organized alphabetically by reference subject and includes articles, brochures, newsletters and flyers on WomanShare, directories and member lists, information on programs and policies, and writings by Billie Miracle and other members between 1988 and 1998.

Series III is composed of varied financial documents including accounts books (1978-1988), financial notes and receipts, kitty money reports and household accounts that members generated between 1974 -1999.

Series IV consists of meeting minutes and notes arranged by date from 1977 to 1995. Also included are meeting related documents such as sketches, ideas, inventory, member updates, finances, elections and scheduling.

Series V contains numerous message books and journals created by members, organized by date and which cover the years 1974 – 1999.

Series VI encompasses the work and production of the book Country Lesbians: The Story of The Womanshare Collective . Documents are organized by subject and include notes, correspondence, drafts, mock-ups, financial records and a published copy.

Series VII consists of audio and video recordings of WomanShare meetings, sharing circles, celebrations and interviews covering years 1974-1994.

Series IIX contains photographs and slides, most of which are undated; 1986 is the year most often documented. Photographs are organized by size (very small to 8x10) and include loose photographs and photo albums. Many photographs are unlabeled while most of the 80 slides are labeled by subject.

Series VII consists of audio and video recordings of WomanShare meetings, sharing circles, celebrations and interviews covering years 1974-1994.

Series IIX contains photographs and slides, most of which are undated; 1986 is the year most often documented. Photographs are organized by size (very small to 8x10) and include loose photographs and photo albums. Many photographs are unlabeled while most of the 80 slides are labeled by subject.

Dates

  • 1974-1999

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

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. Collection includes sound recordings, moving images, and digital files to which access is restricted. Access to these materials is governed by repository policy and may require the production of listening or viewing copies. Researchers requiring access must notify Special Collections and University Archives in advance and pay fees for reproduction services as necessary.

Conditions Governing Use

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

WomanShare is a woman’s land and feminist retreat in Grants Pass, Oregon, established in 1974. WomanShare was built upon 23 acres of wooded private land and includes six women- built cabins, with one reserved for visitors, and a mainhouse. The WomanShare community combined feminist and sexual politics with country living activities and workshops. Membership varied from four to six members including Nelly, Dian, Sue Deevy, Billie Miracle, and Carol Newhouse.

Extent

21 linear feet (22 containers ) : 10 manuscript boxes, 1 half-manuscript box, 4 flat boxes, 1 clamshell box, 4 small flat boxes

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

WomanShare is a woman’s land and feminist retreat in Grants Pass, Oregon, established in 1974. Records document the management, membership, daily activities and workshops of the WomanShare community and include correspondence, reference files, financial and meeting records, journals, audio, video and visual material.

Arrangement

Collection is organized into the following series:

Series I: Correspondence 1987 Series II: Reference Files 1988-1998 Series III: Financial Records 1974 – 1999 Series IV: Meeting Minutes and Notes 1977 – 1995 Series V: Journals and Message Books 1974 – 1999 Series VI: Country Lesbians Book Series VII: Audio and Video 1974 – 1994 Subseries A: Audio Subseries B: Video Series VIII: Photographs and Slides 1986

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of WomanShare.

Existence and Location of Copies

Selected items are available as digital files by request to Special Collections and University Archives.

Related Materials

Other collections relating to WomanShare Records at Special Collections and University Archives include: The Ruth Mountaingrove papers, Coll 309; The Beverly Brown papers, Coll 318; The Tee A. Corinne papers, Coll 263; SO CLAP! (Southern Oregon Country Lesbian Archival Project) records, Coll 266.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Tanya Parlet and Amanda Steele, 2011 and by previous staff in 2001.

This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.

Title
Guide to the WomanShare Records
Status
Revise Description
Author
Finding aid prepared by Tanya Parlet and Amanda Steele
Date
2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives Repository

Contact:
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR 97403-1299 USA