Oregon State University Historical Motion Picture films, 1921-1969

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Oregon State University.
Title
Oregon State University Historical Motion Picture films
Dates
1921-1969 (inclusive)
1921-1939 (bulk)
Quantity
2.5 cubic feet, including 38 motion picture film reels, (3 boxes and 1 film can)
Collection Number
FV P 048
Summary
The Oregon State University Historical Motion Picture Films consist of promotional films produced by Oregon Agricultural College in the 1920s and 1930s as well as several centennial productions made by Oregon State University in the late 1960s. The films depict 4-H programs and activities throughout the state, academic programs at Oregon State, athletics, and student activities.
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.

Additional Reference Guides

Preliminary container list available online.

Languages
English

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Oregon State University Historical Motion Picture Films consist of promotional films produced by Oregon Agricultural College (OAC) in the 1920s and 1930s as well as several centennial productions made by Oregon State University in the late 1960s. The OAC films include 24 reels (FV P048:01 thru FV P048:22 and FV P048:31); these 16 mm prints were made from 35 mm nitrate films in 1966-1967. These films include footage of 4-H youth programs throughout Oregon, especially in Coos, Douglas, Josephine, and Klamath Counties as well as at 4-H Summer School on the OAC campus and at the Oregon State Fair in Salem, Oregon. The films depict various locations in Oregon including Crater Lake, Eugene, St. Paul, and Portland. Various campus activities including the Memorial Union dedication, a May Day pageant, homecoming, commencement, ROTC, and the marching band are depicted. Athletic events including football, polo, and baseball as well as women's sports and physical training are included in the footage. A 1921 production, The Romance of Engineering, promotes the engineering programs and facilities at Oregon Agricultural College. A film on Oregon State Experiment Station research on salmon poisoning in dogs is also included.

The collection also includes two films celebrating the 1968 centennial of Oregon State University (OSU): The Possible Dream produced by KGW and Pacific NW Bell and OSU: The First Hundred Years, 1868-1968 produced by the OSU Centennial Committee. Footage of the 1969 centennial year graduation ceremonies and a 1961 interview with James Jensen, shortly before he became President of OSU are also included in the collection.

Hail to OSC was filmed in the late 1930s or early 1940s and includes extensive color footage of Oregon State academic programs as well as student activities. Of special note are construction of the homecoming bonfire, a baseball game, and homecoming house signs for a football game against the University of Oregon.

Duplication masters and use copies (on VHS videotape or DVD) are available for several of the films. One film, Old Grad Comes Back, is available online.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Oregon State University Historical Motion Picture Films (FV P 048), Oregon State University Archives, Corvallis, Oregon.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The films are arranged in two series: I. Oregon Agricultural College Promotional Films, 1921-1935 and II. Oregon State Centennial and Promotional Films, 1939-1969.

Processing Note

This collection is not fully processed; this guide is preliminary.

Acquisition Information

Most of the films were acquired by the Archives in the 1960s.

Related Materials

Detailed descriptions and information about some of the 1920s-1930s films are available in the Memorabilia Collection (MC-Motion Picture Legends). Records of the OSU Centennial Committee documenting the planning and activities of the University's 100th anniversary in 1968-1969 are part of the Library Records (RG 009). Other films documenting 4-H programs and activities are available in the 4-H Moving Images (FV P 146) and the Extension and Experiment Station Communications Moving Images (FV P 120).

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • 4-H clubs--Oregon.
  • Agriculture--Oregon.
  • College sports--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • College students--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • College sports for women--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • Commencement ceremonies--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • Football--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • Student activities--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • Universities and colleges--Public relations--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • Women--Education (Higher)--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • Youth--Oregon--Societies and clubs.

Corporate Names

  • Oregon Agricultural College--Students.
  • Oregon State College--Students.
  • Oregon State University--Alumni and alumnae.
  • Oregon State University--Anniversaries, etc.
  • Oregon State University--Centennial celebrations, etc.
  • Oregon State University--Students.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Motion pictures (visual works)
  • Silent films.

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names
    • Oregon State University. University Centennial Committee. (creator)