Category Archives: Flickr Commons

Happy Summer!

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In the beginning of the month we released a fabulous set of images from Yaquina Bay on the Oregon Coast — and now we’re ready to jump on one of the vessels and set sail for the summer.

We’re traveling again this year, taking another trip with the Visual Instruction Lantern Slides Collection, but this year we are really stretching our legs. From Palestine & Syria to Buenos Aires & Argentina, all the way through Australia, Japan, Denmark, and Ireland, these slides from the early 20th century are sure to delight everyone from the armchair tourist to the most seasoned traveler.

Far from the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest, in the first set we’re traveling to the Middle East and exploring the Holy Lands …

Sacred sites, gorgeous monuments, and amazing terrain — glance back in time with these shots, do your own research to see how things have changed, and then share what you find with us!

This set also came with a wonderfully informative lecture booklet, so take a little time to read the image descriptions for a historic narrative to go with the images.

The Misfits

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You know that any Flickr Commons set with a clever title like this one will be full of great pictorial treats…

And the set name is not misleading, you’ll find a grand variety of fabulous images from the Gerald Williams Collection!

From horses to shipwrecks, bathing beauties to tragic fires, people sitting on logs to canons, this set abounds with randomness…

A plank road? A grandstand? No doubt you’ll enjoy them all.

Oregon Landscapes

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Oh, those beautiful landscapes!

In all the hooplah surrounding the new Beaver Tracks historical walking tour, it was easy to overlook the new set in Flickr Commons … Tragic, for sure, since this set celebrates our state, showing off how much we really love Oregon! Seriously, we love it. There’s something about this state that makes its residents exude unbridled love for their surroundings. Don’t believe me? Find out for yourself. This set consists of thirty-eight shots of Oregon in all of its glory.

All from the Williams Collection, they focus on Oregon’s rich history of forestry and conservation, yet these images do a pretty good job of showing off Oregon’s seasons as well. Taken all over the state, the biggest theme that ties these images together is Oregon’s natural beauty. Relying on their own vintage charm, these images impress us and hope they do the same for you.

Rushing Waters and Steadfast Stones

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Rushing Waters and Steadfast Stones

Great title for a great set! It’s the 3rd Wednesday and we’re celebrating that greenest of all events with a bunch of rocks and waves. You’ll find some gorgeous shots of the Oregon Coast, including hand colored postcards like this one with sea side “activity” in Seaside:

and this placid water on Cannon Beach:

Want to see some falls?

Or some blue?

Or maybe just a lighthouse or two?

Enjoy! And for those of you wanting a hit of Ireland, check out the Flickr set we released last year of Ralph Gifford’s Whiddy Island images.

Bridges!

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High bridges, low bridges … Color bridges, sepia bridges … Boats under bridges, people on bridges … Does this sound like a Dr. Seuss story? Nope, it’s a new set in Flickr Commons!

Joining the 8 other sets in the Gerald Williams Commons collection, this new set will make a little dizzy and others feel like heading out & onto the roads to explore the wonderful bridges Oregon has to offer!

Begin at the beginning?

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A year of interacting, sharing, and celebrating what we have and what we know. We had a few big “Wow, thanks!” moments in 2009, but this year we want more …

We begin again, appropriately back where we started last February, with images from the Gerald Williams Collection. It’s true—we’re going to have a whole month of weekly releases! And with the first, “Towns & Buildings,” we want to hear from you.

At a loss where to start? You can always begin with the simple browse method, scanning through the images in this Flickr set … But for those who would like a little more direction, those who like “assignments,” those who feel comfortable with a list – here you go!

You can start simple … What can you find about the history or Astoria, Clatskanie, Timber, or Amity Oregon? Or you can dive into this list and let us know what you learn about:

Research until you can’t learn any more. Just make sure you include your factoid treasures with us in the comments field. No matter what, share, share, share!

More people doing more stuff!

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That’s right, it’s time for the next addition to the “People Doing Stuff” collection in Flickr Commons. This time we’ve gathered some of the best images of people doing stuff “Through the Seasons.” Unlike the majority of our Flickr Commons collections, these images are from a variety of photographic collections, all of which depict the beauty of the Pacific Northwest’s four vibrant seasons.

Basking in the sun …

Working in the fields …

Getting really cold …

Enjoy all the seasons — and check back in 2 weeks for even more fun …

Water Falling

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Falling Water

It’s nearing winter in Oregon, so we think a lot about the water that falls from the sky … But what about the glorious drops that tumble over rocks, under bridges, and through the woods?

To celebrate the rain (?), we’ve released the last set in our “Western Waters!” collection, appropriately called “Water Falling.” What is it? It’s a set is dedicated to all that falling water, of the waterfall kind!


The images in these sets are from our “Pacific Northwest Stream Survey” digital collection, which includes over 1000 field images taken between 1934 and 1945 and spanning the 390 streams in the Columbia River Basin.

Salmon, Beavers, & Ducks?

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Is this a university archive or a petting zoo?

OSU’s campus is all a flutter — and covered with orange and black, of course. Why? Today is the big day: Civil War 2009! Tonight’s winner goes for Roses … That’s right, for those of you who haven’t heard because you’ve been hiding out to avoid the rain and/or 29 degree temperatures, the winner will be in the Rose Bowl!

Hasn’t this happened before? According to OSU’s Game Day Central, the answer is no.

“It looks like it has, but it really hasn’t. The winner of the 113th Civil War will know that it has clinched the Pac-10 title and a berth to the Rose Bowl when the clock shows 0:00. It’s the first time that both teams have entered the game with the “winner take all” scenario. The Beavers entered the 1957 season finale 6-1 in the league, while the Ducks were 5-2 – Oregon won that game 20-0 to share the title, but the Beavers knew that they were out of the Rose Bowl going in, due to a no-repeat clause – OSU played in the ’57 Rose Bowl (’56 season).”

The rivalry between the two schools, especially that pig skin rivalry, goes waaaay back. To read all about it, and see lots of great pictures from the UO Archives and Special Collections, check out Anne Peterson’s article for KPIC news. Here’s a teaser to get you reading…

“While this season’s Civil War between Oregon and Oregon State has been called the biggest game in the rivalry’s history, there have been plenty of significant – and just plain strange – Civil Wars in the past. Case in point: 1983’s “Toilet Bowl,” a 0-0 rain-drenched exercise in futility.“

No rain tonight, just Jack Frost and his chilly dew.

The OSU Archives got in on the historic photo action as well! Check out our Civil War set in Flickr. Want to see more football pics? Check out the Football at OSU set. And yes, it includes a picture of a goat.

While you are there, check out the new Flickr Commons set on salmon fishing in Oregon. Everyone is swimming on over, don’t be left at the gate…