Harold S. Hirsch interviews

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: Coll 426

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of a post-bound 196-page document. Contents are as follows:

Biographical essay: Harold S. Hirsch, Public Citizen. Biographical essay: Harold S. Hirsch, Business Executive. Interview I: Early Memories (March 6, 1988). Interview II: Early Memories (March 7, 1988). Interview III: Willamette Tent & Awning Co.; Hirsch Weiss Mfg. Co.; White Stag Mfg. Co. (April 29, 1989). Interview IV: Childhood Home and Gearhart (April 30, 1989). Interview V: Camp; Parents' Civic Work; Reed College (May 19, 1989). Interview VI: "Businessman in Residence"; Dartmouth Years; Anti-Semitism (May 20, 1989). Interview VII: B.C. Expo '86; Portland Junior Symphony (May 21, 1989). Interview VIII: Harold Hirsch Classroom; Markle Foundation; Oregon Health Sciences University (May 21, 1989). Interview IX: World War I Memories; World War II Comments; First Motorcars (May 22, 1989). Interview X: Cascade Head (July 19, 1989). Interview XI: Cascade Head (August 27, 1989). Resume of Harold S. Hirsch.

Dates

March 1988-August 1989

Creator

Hirsch, Harold S., 1907-1990 (Person)
Oppenheimer, Helene Hirsch (Person)

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.

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

Harold S. Hirsch, born September 3, 1907 in Portland, Oregon, was a business pioneer, supporter of higher education, and a civic leader. Mr. Hirsch founded the White Stag Manufacturing company after becoming interested in skiing and using a sewing machine to create ski wear in his family's Hirsch-Weis Company. Sales took off and he expanded from ski wear to a broad line of casual sportswear for women and men. A combination of radical new garments and an insistence on quality led to Hirsch becoming known as the father of modern ski wear in the United States.

Mr. Hirsch attended Dartmouth College and Oxford, and remained active in higher education for his entire life, serving as a trustee of Reed College for 34 years as well as Secretary of the Board for 6 years. In addition, he served on the Advisory Board of the University of Oregon School of Business Administration for 23 years and on the University Law School Board of Visitors for 6 years.

In both his own business and in various service positions, Mr. Hirsch worked to eliminate racial and religious discrimination and marginalization. He racially integrated his manufacturing plants during World War II and also had a leadership role in the National Alliance of Businessmen to encourage hiring minority workers. Other civic posts include President of the Port of Portland Commission, Director of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, and service with the Japanese Garden Society of Oregon, the Jewish Historical Society of Oregon, and many other agencies and institutions.

Harold S. Hirsch died at the age of 82 on July 4, 1990 in Portland, Oregon.

Extent

0.5 linear feet (1 half manuscript box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection consists of Harold S. Hirsch interview transcripts. 11 interviews were conducted between March 6, 1988 and August 27, 1989 by Helene Hirsch Oppenheimer.

Arrangement

Collection is organized into one series: Interview transcripts.

Physical Description

1 half manuscript box containing 1 folder.

Subjects

Antisemitism -- United States Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Business enterprises -- Oregon -- Portland Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Businessmen -- Oregon -- Portland Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Civic leaders -- Oregon -- Portland Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Clothing trade -- Oregon -- Portland Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Education, Higher -- Oregon Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Jewish Americans Subject Source: Archiveswest
Jews -- Oregon -- Portland Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Manufacturing and industry Subject Source: Local sources
Portland (Or.) -- Race relations Subject Source: Lcnaf
World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives, American Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings