In 2007 the OSU Libraries acquired the Gerald W. Williams Collection, consisting of the collected historic photographs, personal papers, and research library of Gerald “Jerry” Williams, a former national historian for the U.S. Forest Service. Williams, a native Oregonian, spent much of his Forest Service career in the Pacific Northwest before becoming national historian in 1988.

This digital collection includes some of the best imagery from the Williams Collection, including photos of the WWI era Spruce Production Division, logging photos of northwest Oregon taken by John Fletcher Ford, photos of Celilo Falls taken in 1956 by Jack Williams, and photos of depression era Civilian Conservation Corps camps and activities. Many of the historic photos are postcards arranged in several geographically based albums. Examples include the Umpqua, Columbia River, and Willamette Valley albums.

Several books from Williams’ 3,000 volume research library, many pertaining to natural resources issues, are being made available digitally through ScholarsArchive@OSU.

To see the guide and learn more about what you’ll find in this wonderful collection, see the finding aid here.