The Barbara B. Peck Papers consist of essays and publications written and collected by alumna Barbara B. Peck that reflect her involvement with the American Home Economics Association. Peck graduated from Oregon State College with a degree in home economics in 1932.
Scope and Content Notes
The Barbara B. Peck Papers consist of essays and publications written and collected by alumna Barbara B. Peck that reflect her involvement with the American Home Economics Association (AHEA). The essays appear to be drafts of articles later published in newsletters and magazines and which relate mostly to the AHEA Homemaking Department. One of the essays details the process of selecting beef for consumption. The publications include copies of the following newspapers: The Daily Barometer, the Corvallis Gazette-Times, and Counterpoint.
Biographical / Historical Notes
Born in Decorah, Iowa, in 1909, Barbara Burtis came to Oregon State College in 1928. Active in campus organizations and honorary societies relating to home economics and physical education, Barbara focused her studies on home economics and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1932. During her time at OSC, Barbara met and married fellow student Norton Peck, who was the son of Landscape Architecture Professor Arthur Peck. Norton also graduated in 1932.
After graduation, Barbara and Norton Peck settled in Portland. Barbara became involved in the American Home Economics Association (AHEA) and the Oregon Home Economics Association (OHEA) and went on to serve as the Chair of the Homemaker Section of the AHEA. During her tenure as chair, Peck returned to OSC in 1950 and gave a speech on "AHEA and the Homemaker" as part of series of events in observance of the 60th anniversary for the School of Home Economics.
In addition to her involvement in AHEA and OHEA, Peck volunteered for a number of community organizations and campaigns in the Portland area. Her efforts were instrumental in helping to preserve the Henry Pittock Mansion and in the establishment of the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District. For OSU, Peck served on the Alumni Association Board, the University Relations Committee, and established the Barbara B. Peck Scholarship for students in the College of Public Health and Human Sciences.
Barbara and Norton together raised three children: Donald, Roger, and Susan. In 2014, Barbara died at the age of 105 years old.
Author: Karl McCreary
