Oregon Historical Society Blast from the Past — May Day, 1915

May Day Hoop Dance from 1915, Copywright, Oregon Historical Society

In celebration of Spring, here’s a photo from the 1915 May Day Celebration at Pacific University in Forest Grove. The Oregon Historical Society has more than 2.5 million photographs in its collection! We’re excited to collaborate with OHS to bring some of those wonderful photos to you!

We love this one for May Day because, as Guenevere in Camelot put it, “Tra la! It’s May! The lusty month of May! That lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray.”

You can explore the amazing history of our beautiful state at the Oregon Historical Society in downtown Portland at 1200 SW Park Avenue.

From the Oregon Historical Society:

As the steward of Oregon’s history, the Oregon Historical Society educates, informs, and engages the public through collecting, preserving, and interpreting the past . . . in other words, Oregon history matters.

The OHS Library Overview:

Through the generosity of Oregon’s citizens and friends, the Oregon Historical Society Research Library has gathered one of the most comprehensive collections of local, state, and regional history in the country, with holdings that chronicle the history of the Oregon Country from early exploration to the present day. Although the Oregon Historical Society is a private, non-profit institution, its resources are held in trust for the State of Oregon, and it functions as the state historical society. Collection strengths include: European discovery, exploration, and settlement; Native Americans; local history, family history, and genealogy; the fur trade; agriculture, timber, mining, and fisheries; performing arts; business; architecture and building history; politics and government; religion; and transportation. The Research Library houses more than 32,000 books, 25,000 maps, 12,500 linear feet of manuscripts, 4,000 serials titles, 6,000 vertical files, 18,000 reels of newspaper microfilm, 8.5 million feet of film and videotape, 10,000 oral history tapes, and more than 2.5 million photographs.

So head on down for a visit!

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.