Azalea House Records, 1953-2014

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Azalea House (Corvallis, Or.)
Title
Azalea House Records
Dates
1953-2014 (inclusive)
Quantity
15 cubic feet, including 2373 photographs and 1 sound recording, (13 boxes, including 7 oversize boxes, and 1 map folder)
323 Kbytes, (9 files)
Collection Number
MSS Azalea
Summary
The Azalea House Records were generated and collected by the Azalea House women's cooperative residence at Oregon State University and document the management of the co-op and the daily lives of the residents there during its operation from 1953 to 2014.
Repository
Oregon State University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives Research Center
Special Collections and Archives Research Center
121 The Valley Library
Oregon State University
Corvallis OR
97331-4501
Telephone: 5417372075
Fax: 5417378674
scarc@oregonstate.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Established in 1953 as a women’s cooperative residence, Azalea House had its roots in a 1945 proposal by the Oregon Home Economics Extension Council to address the shortage of campus housing for women. A fundraising drive to raise money for the construction met its goal in 1952 and by fall term of 1953 Azalea House was opened. The name “Azalea” was chosen in a naming contest to honor Mrs. Azalea Sager, an Extension Specialist in Clothing and State Home Demonstration Leader. The building was designed to house 58 residents. Located at 1050 Madison Street, Azalea House's immediate neighbors on the block were three other cooperative living residences (Avery Lodge, Dixon Lodge, and Oxford House). In 2014, citing concerns about costs and needed building renovations, the OSU University Housing and Dining Services closed Azalea House and the other cooperative residences at OSU.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Azalea House Records reflect the administration of Azalea House through articles of incorporation, budgetary materials, meeting minutes, contracts, handbooks, constitutions, notebooks, policy statements, reports, signage, and surveys. Activities documented  in these materials include: budgetary management, convening of house meetings, employment of the house cook, officer training, generation of resident lists, disciplinary action of rule violations, building maintenance, the formation of policies/rules, the tracking of gifts to the house, and assignment of rooms/beds to residents. Social activities, events, and honors/awards received by Azalea House residents are reflected in scrapbooks, photographs, photograph albums, guestbooks, songs, certificates, plaques, trophies, and banners.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Azalea House Records (MSS Azalea), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The Azalea House Records are arranged into 27 Series: 1. Articles of Incorporation, Tax, and Insurance Records, 1992-2008; 2. Budgetary Materials, 1993-2009; 3. Certificates, 1999-2013; 4. Committees, 1967-2005; 5. Constitutions and Bills of Rights, 1967-2007; 6. Contracts, 1965-2008; 7. Correspondence, 1987-2007; 8. Executive Training and Retreats, 1985-2008; 9. Guestbooks, 1972-2011; 10. Handbooks, 1996-2014; 11. Historical Essays, 1970-ca. 1995; 12. Intercooperative Council/Judicial Board Records, 1965-2011; 13. Meeting Minutes, 1956-2003; 14. Membership Lists, 1958-2014; 15. Notebooks, 1953-2013; 16. Policies and Procedures, 1965-2006; 17. Publications, 1953-2008; 18. Reports, 1953-1999; 19. Signage, ca. 2000-2010; 20. Songs, 1982; 21. Surveys, 1980-1997; 22. Weekly Menus, ca. 2010; 23. Photographs, 1954-2011; 24. Photograph Albums, 1987-2006; 25. Scrapbooks, 1958-2014; 26. Plaques and Trophies, 1960-2014; and 27. Banners, 2014.

Acquisition Information

The bulk of these records were transferred to SCARC by Azalea House residents in 2014 and were added to an existing collection of Azalea House records that had been received in 1991.

Related Materials

There are collections documenting other cooperative houses that operated at OSU, including: Avery Lodge, Campus Club, Coed Cottage, Dixon Lodge, Kupono House, Maple Manor, and Oxford House. The records of the University Housing and Dining Services (RG 145) reflect the administration of cooperative housing at OSU and contain scrapbooks assembled by residents of Heckart Lodge and Reed Lodge cooperative residences.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series 1:  Articles of Incorporation, Tax, and Insurance Records, 1992-2008Return to Top

Container(s): Box-folder 1.1

Series 1 consists of records relating to taxes, insurance, and incorporation status reflecting the management of Azalea House as a cooperative/non-profit corporation.

Series 2:  Budget Materials, 1993-2009Return to Top

Container(s): Box-folder 1.2

Series 2 is made up of budgetary documentation reflecting the cooperative’s management of their accounts.

Series 3:  Certificates, 2014Return to Top

Container(s): Box-folder 1.3

Series 3 is comprised of certificates awarded to Azalea House for various honors and recognitions. One of the certificates was awarded to the Azalea House President Jane Stump for her service on the Executive Council.

Series 4:  Committees, 1967-2005Return to Top

Container(s): Box-folder 1.4

Series 4 contains materials reflecting Azalea House committee activity and is made up of committee member lists, constitutions, notes, and quarterly reports.

Series 5:  Constitutions/Bill of Rights Statements, 1967-2007Return to Top

Series 5 is comprised of constitutions and bill of rights statements. This series includes documentation of proposed amendments, voting tallies, and constitutional changes.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1.5
Constitutions/Bill of Rights Statements
1967-1997
1.6
Constitutions/Bill of Rights Statements
1998-2007

Series 6:  Contracts, 1965-2008Return to Top

Series 6 is made up of contracts relating to the employment of the cook for Azalea House, the taking of group shot photographs, and for applying to reside in Azalea House and the OSU cooperative houses. Most of the contracts are completed there are also blank forms.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1.7
House Cook
1979-2008
1.8
Photographic Services
1990-1995
1.9
Residence in Azalea House/Cooperatives
1965-1992

Series 7:  Correspondence, 1987-2007Return to Top

Series 7 consists of correspondence received by Azalea House as well as informational letters sent to new and returning residents.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1.10
General
1992-2000
1.11
Letters from Alumni
1991-2007
1.12
Summer Letters to New and Returning Members
1987-2007

Series 8:  Executive Training and Retreat Materials, 1985-2008Return to Top

Series 8 contains handouts, handbooks, and other reference materials generated for Azalea officer executive training workshops and retreats. Also included among these materials are meeting minutes, notes, and completed questionnaires.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1.13
Executive Training and Retreat Materials
1985-1999
1.14
Executive Training and Retreat Materials
2003-2008

Series 9:  Guestbooks, 1972-2011Return to Top

Series 9 is made up of three guestbooks listing visitors and attendees of various special events at Azalea House.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1.15
Guestbooks
1972-2011
1.16
Guestbooks
1980-2002
1.17
Guestbooks
1993-2005

Series 10:  Handbooks, 1996-2014Return to Top

Series 10 consists of handbooks and manuals prepared for management of the budget and service on the Judicial Board.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1.18
Food Purchasers’ Manual
1998
1.19
Inter-Cooperative Association Judicial Board Orientation and Training Manual
2000
1.20
Job Packets
2011/12-2013/14
1.21
Treasurer’s Handbooks
1996-2008

Series 11:  Historical Essays, 1970 - circa 1995Return to Top

Series 11 is comprised of essays and writings on the history of Azalea House.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1.22
"The Impossible Dream"
Oregon Association for Family and Community Education
circa 1995
1.23
Student Cooperative Housing at OSU: 1935-1981
1981
1.24
"This Is Azalea"
A photocopied section of a scrapbook.
1970

Series 12:  InterCooperative Association and Judicial Board Records, 1965-2011Return to Top

Series 12 contains records generated by the Inter Cooperative Association and the Judicial Board that includes bylaws, handbooks, meeting minutes, memoranda, mission statements, notes, policy statements, and reports. Documentation from the Judicial Board reflects the management of house rule violations.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1.25
1965-1993
1.26
1995-2005
1.27
2005-2011

Series 13:  Meeting Minutes, 1953-2003Return to Top

Series 13 is made up of minutes and agendas from house-wide meetings and meetings of the Azalea House Advisory Council.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2.1
Azalea House Advisory Council
1958-1961
2.2
House Meetings
1953-1956
2.3
House Meetings
1981-1982
2.4
House Meetings
1991-1993
2.5
House Meetings
1994-1997
House Meetings
2003

Series 14:  Membership Lists, 1958-2014Return to Top

Series 14 is made up of lists of Azalea House residents.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2.6
Alumni Room Identification Sign-In Sheets
2014
2.7
Executive Officers
1987-2005
2.8
General
1958-1999

Series 15:  Notebooks, 1953-2013Return to Top

Series 15 consists of notebooks and journals containing information about donations given to the house by former residents, colors used in the painting of various rooms, the occurrences of the “candle passing” ceremony, and notes reflecting the work of house executive officers.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2.9
Alumni Donors
2003
2.10
Azalea House Journal of Candle Passings
1997-2009
2.11
Azalea Paint Book for Rooms
2000-2007
2.12
Contributions and Gifts to Azalea House
1953-1957
2.13
Executive/Chair Notes
2003
2.14
Executive/Chair Notes
circa 2002
2.15
House Manager
circa 2005
2.16
Officer Installation Record Keeping
2006-2010
2.17
Vice President's Notes
1997-2002
2.18
Vice President's Notes
2009-2013

Series 16:  Policies and Procedures, 1965-2006Return to Top

Series 16 is made up of checklists, guidelines, and rules outlining policies and procedures for house maintenance, alcohol usage, residential chores, executive officer duties, fire safety, and regulations regarding visitors.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2.19
Alcohol Policies
1992
2.20
Associated Women Students (AWS) Regulations
1965-1967
2.21
Cooperative House Director Searches
1978-1998
2.22
Duty Rules and Training
circa 2010
2.23
Elections
1982-1992
2.24
Fire Drill and Evacuation Procedures
1996-2003
2.25
House Rules
1978
2.26
Housing Maintenance
1998
2.27
Initiation
2006
2.28
Policy Compliance Statements/Agreements
1979-1997
2.29
President/Vice President Duties
1986-2004
2.30
Room Assignment and Bed Sign Up
2006
2.31
Room Regulations
circa 1995
2.32
Tours of the House
circa 1992-2010
2.33
Visitation and Security Regulations
1970-2005
2.34
Walk-Ins and Walk-Outs
1970

Series 17:  Publications, 1953-2008Return to Top

Series 17 consists of published material about Azalea House and it's residents. It is made up of newsletters, brochures, and event programs. The programs reflect participation by Azalea House residents in campus events such as the Interfraternity Sing and Mom’s Weekend Turtle Derby races.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2.35
Event Programs
1953-1973
2.36
Informational Brochures and Flyers
1967-1993
2.37
Newsletters
1976-2008

Series 18:  Reports, 1953-1999Return to Top

Series 18 contains reports generated by Azalea executive officers and the Benton County Environmental Health Division.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2.38
Food Service Inspection Reports
1995-1999
2.39
Furnishings Inventory
1953
2.40
Term Reports to the Dean
1967

Series 19:  Signage, circa 2000-2010Return to Top

Series 19 is made up of signage posted throughout Azalea House indicating quiet hours, rules, and bathroom stall identification. The signs are on sheets of paper and most are laminated.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2.41
Signage
circa 2000-2010

Series 20:  Songs, 1982Return to Top

Series 20 consists of flyers and booklets with songs written for, and sung by, Azalea House residents.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2.42
Songs
1982

Series 21:  Surveys, 1980-1997Return to Top

Series 21 consists of blank and completed questionnaire and survey forms reflecting Azalea House resident opinion on various topics.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2.43
Surveys
1980-1997

Series 22:  Weekly Menus, circa 2010Return to Top

Series 22 is made up of flyers listing breakfast/lunch/dinner offerings for several weeks.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2.44
Weekly Menus
circa 2010

Series 23:  Photographs, 1957-2011Return to Top

Series 23 is made up of photographic images depicting Azalea House residents in group shots and involved in various activities at the house. In total, there are 585 images in this series (292 negatives, 264 prints, and 29 slides).

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2.45
Cooperative Houses
1991-1992
2.46
Dad's Weekend
1965-1988
2.47
Group Shots
1957-1971
5.1
Group Shots
1974/75-1980/81
2.48
Group Shots
2001-2010
2.49
Mom's Weekend
circa 1965-1968
3.1
Portrait Shots-Unidentified
circa 1998
3.2
Presidents of Azalea House
1954/55-2010/11
3.3
Reed's Masquerade Party
1988
3.4
Steak Night with Beaver Lodge
1988
3.5
Various Activities-Unidentified
1987-1988
3.6
Various Activities-Unidentified
1991-1992

Series 24:  Photograph Albums, 1987-2006Return to Top

Series 24 is comprised of three photograph albums containing images of events at Azalea House. The albums contain a total of 288 photographic prints.

Container(s) Description Dates
box-item
3.7
Fall 1987
10.1
circa 1990
3.8
2006

Series 25:  Scrapbooks, 1958-2014Return to Top

Series 25 consists of scrapbooks assembled by Azalea residents that contain a combination of photographs, newspaper clippings, dance cards, letters, invitations, greeting cards, event programs, and poems. The scrapbooks document everyday life and special events at the cooperative house as well as news about the members. This series contains 1500 photographic prints, which include images found loose in the scrapbooks.

Container(s) Description Dates
box-item
5.2
1958
Box/Folder
3.9
Loose items from scrapbook
1958
box-item
6.1
1960-1965
Box/Folder
3.10
Loose Items from Scrapbook
1960-1965
box-item
7.1
1965/66
8.1
1967/68
6.2
1968/69
Box/Folder
3.11
Loose Items from Scrapbook
1967-1969
box-item
8.2
1969/70
Box/Folder
3.12
Loose Items from Scrapbook
1969/70
box-item
8.3
1969-1971
Box/Folder
3.13
Loose Items from Scrapbook
1969-1971
box-item
3.1
"This Is Azalea"
Not in folder. Includes reel-to-reel sound recording of initiation speech given annually by Mrs. Sager. Recorded November 5, 1969.
1970
9.1
1971-1974
Box/Folder
3.14
Loose Items from Scrapbook
1971-1974
box-item
9.2
1972/73
7.2
1972-1978
Box/Folder
3.15
Loose Items from Scrapbook
1972-1978
3.16
1981-1985
3.17
Loose Items from Scrapbook
1981-1985
3.18
1985
3.19
1988-1990
3.20
Loose Items from Scrapbook
1988-1990
3.21
1991
3.22
1991
3.23
1992-1994
3.24
1996/97
3.25
1998/99
3.26
1999/2000
box-item
5.3
2001 (Spring)
11.1
2001/02
10.2
2002/03
11.2
2003/04
13.1
2004/05
11.3
2005/06
7.3
2007/08
10.3
2009/10
12.1
2010/11
12.2
2012/13
13.2
2013-2014

Series 26:  Plaques and Trophies, 1960-2014Return to Top

Series 26 contains plaques and trophies recognizing Azalea House's participation in various campus competitions and events.

Container(s) Description Dates
box-item
4.1
OSC Homecoming: House Signs Independent Women's Division-First Place
1960
4.2
Interfraternity Council (IFC) Sing-2nd Place
1969
4.3
15th Annual Beta Theta Pi Turtle Derby-Best Dressed Turtle
1977
4.4
Homecoming "Repeat The Feat"-1st Place
1986
4.5
IFC Sing Participation
1990
4.6
28th Annual Mary's Peak Marathon: Independent Team-3rd Place
1991
4.7
IFC Sing Participation
1991
4.8
IFC Sing Participation
1992
4.9
Social Event of the Year-A Night in Hollywood
2003/04

Series 27:  Banners, 2014Return to Top

Container(s): Map-folder 14

Series 27 is made up of two banners containing handwritten messages from Azalea House residents about their favorite memories there.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • College students--Oregon--Corvallis--Social life and customs.
  • Housing, Cooperative--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • Women--Education (Higher)--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • Women--Oregon--Corvallis--Societies and clubs.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Born digital.
  • Dance cards.
  • Film negatives.
  • Menus.
  • Notebooks.
  • Pamphlets.
  • Photograph albums.
  • Photographic prints.
  • Scrapbooks.
  • Songs.
  • Sound recordings.
  • Tape reels.