Special Collections and University Archives

Before Portland State was a university or college, it was the Vanport Extension Center (VEC), founded in 1946 to serve veterans returning from World War II and wanting to take advantage of the G.I. Bill. The first classes were offered in the city of Vanport, Oregon (now the site of Delta Park and the Portland … Continue reading the article: Meet Don Carlo, Vet and Editor of Original Vanport Student Newspaper →

Portland State University Library Special Collections & University Archives announces a new oral history project focusing on the Portland Black United Front. Portland State University public history students conducted the interviews in this oral history project in 2010. In winter 2015, with Professor Patricia Schechter, a second cohort of students reviewed the recordings and transcripts … Continue reading the article: Black United Front Oral History & Digital Exhibit →

The Library lobby and checkout area opened onto Broadway, and a large study hall also filled the first floor. It was a popular place to study and the collection was heavily used; the 1,000,000th patron, student Phil Rothrock, was celebrated in 1962. The entire library catalog of books, periodicals, films, records, tapes, and fiche, was meticulously … Continue reading the article: University Archives Presents: The Portland State Library in 1963 →

The Northeast Portland family home of Otto and Verdell Burdine Rutherford was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. According to Oregon Heritage, “the house is believed to be the first historic property in Oregon listed in the National Register primarily for its association with the Civil Rights era.” Portland State University Library Special … Continue reading the article: Rutherford Family Home Listed in National Register →

Julian Bond, a writer, professor, politician, social activist, and leader in the American Civil Rights Movement, died on August 15, at age 75. In 1970, while serving as an elected member of the Georgia House of Representatives, Bond traveled to Portland and spoke at Portland State on the topic of “Racial Equality in the United … Continue reading the article: Listen to Julian Bond at Portland State in 1970 →