Azalea House Records, 1953-2014

Collection Overview

Title: Azalea House Records, 1953-2014

ID: MSS Azalea

Primary Creator: Azalea House (Corvallis, Or.)

Extent: 15.0 cubic feet. More info below.

Arrangement: The Azalea House Records are arranged into 27 Series: 1. Articles of Incorporation, Tax, and Insurance Records, 1992-2008; 2. Budgetary Materials, 1993-2009; 3. Certificates, 1999-2013; 4. Committees, 1967-2005; 5. Constitutions and Bills of Rights, 1967-2007; 6. Contracts, 1965-2008; 7. Correspondence, 1987-2007; 8. Executive Training and Retreats, 1985-2008; 9. Guestbooks, 1972-2011; 10. Handbooks, 1996-2014; 11. Historical Essays, 1970-ca. 1995; 12. Intercooperative Council/Judicial Board Records, 1965-2011; 13. Meeting Minutes, 1956-2003; 14. Membership Lists, 1958-2014; 15. Notebooks, 1953-2013; 16. Policies and Procedures, 1965-2006; 17. Publications, 1953-2008; 18. Reports, 1953-1999; 19. Signage, ca. 2000-2010; 20. Songs, 1982; 21. Surveys, 1980-1997; 22. Weekly Menus, ca. 2010; 23. Photographs, 1954-2011; 24. Photograph Albums, 1987-2006; 25. Scrapbooks, 1958-2014; 26. Plaques and Trophies, 1960-2014; and 27. Banners, 2014.

Date Acquired: 00/00/2014

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

Abstract

The Azalea House Records were generated and collected by the Azalea House women's cooperative residence at Oregon State University and document the management of the co-op and the daily lives of the residents there during its operation from 1953 to 2014.

The materials in Series 22, Weekly Menus, have been digitize and are available upon request.

Scope and Content Notes

The Azalea House Records reflect the administration of Azalea House through articles of incorporation, budgetary materials, meeting minutes, contracts, handbooks, constitutions, notebooks, policy statements, reports, signage, and surveys. Activities documented in these materials include: budgetary management, convening of house meetings, employment of the house cook, officer training, generation of resident lists, disciplinary action of rule violations, building maintenance, the formation of policies/rules, the tracking of gifts to the house, and assignment of rooms/beds to residents. Social activities, events, and honors/awards received by Azalea House residents are reflected in scrapbooks, photographs, photograph albums, guestbooks, songs, certificates, plaques, trophies, and banners.

The materials in Series 22, Weekly Menus, have been digitize and are available upon request.

Biographical / Historical Notes

Established in 1953 as a women’s cooperative residence, Azalea House had its roots in a 1945 proposal by the Oregon Home Economics Extension Council to address the shortage of campus housing for women. A fundraising drive to raise money for the construction met its goal in 1952 and by fall term of 1953 Azalea House was opened. The name “Azalea” was chosen in a naming contest to honor Mrs. Azalea Sager, an Extension Specialist in Clothing and State Home Demonstration Leader. The building was designed to house 58 residents. Located at 1050 Madison Street, Azalea House's immediate neighbors on the block were three other cooperative living residences (Avery Lodge, Dixon Lodge, and Oxford House). In 2014, citing concerns about costs and needed building renovations, the OSU University Housing and Dining Services closed Azalea House and the other cooperative residences at OSU.

Author: Karl McCreary

Administrative Information

More Extent Information: 2373 photographs; 1 sound recording; 13 boxes, including 7 oversize boxes, and 1 map folder; 9 digital files, 323 KB

Statement on Access: Collection is open for research.

Acquisition Note: The bulk of these records were transferred to SCARC by Azalea House residents in 2014 and were added to an existing collection of Azalea House records that had been received in 1991.

Related Materials:

The Special Collections and Archives Research Center holds materials documenting several OSU cooperative houses including the Avery Lodge Records (MSS Avery), the Campus Club Alumni Collection (MSS CampusClub), the Dixon Lodge Records (MSS Dixon), the Kupono Cooperative House Scrapbook (MSS Kupono), the Oxford House Records (MSS Oxford), and the Maple Manor Cooperative House Records (MSS MapleManor).

The University Housing and Dining Services Records (RG 145) reflect the administration of cooperative housing at OSU and contain scrapbooks assembled by residents of Heckart Lodge and Reed Lodge cooperative residences.

Preferred Citation: Azalea House Records (MSS Azalea), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Box and Folder Listing

Series 1: Articles of Incorporation, Tax, and Insurance Records, 1992-2008

Series 1 consists of records relating to taxes, insurance, and incorporation status reflecting the management of Azalea House as a cooperative/non-profit corporation.

Box-Folder 1.1

Series 2: Budget Materials, 1993-2009

Series 2 is made up of budgetary documentation reflecting the cooperative’s management of their accounts.

Box-Folder 1.2

Series 3: Certificates, 2014

Series 3 is comprised of certificates awarded to Azalea House for various honors and recognitions. One of the certificates was awarded to the Azalea House President Jane Stump for her service on the Executive Council.

Box-Folder 1.3

Series 4: Committees, 1967-2005

Series 4 contains materials reflecting Azalea House committee activity and is made up of committee member lists, constitutions, notes, and quarterly reports.

Box-Folder 1.4

Series 5: Constitutions/Bill of Rights Statements, 1967-2007

Series 5 is comprised of constitutions and bill of rights statements. This series includes documentation of proposed amendments, voting tallies, and constitutional changes.

Box-Folder 1.5: Constitutions/Bill of Rights Statements, 1967-1997
Box-Folder 1.6: Constitutions/Bill of Rights Statements, 1998-2007

Series 6: Contracts, 1965-2008

Series 6 is made up of contracts relating to the employment of the cook for Azalea House, the taking of group shot photographs, and for applying to reside in Azalea House and the OSU cooperative houses. Most of the contracts are completed there are also blank forms.

Box-Folder 1.7: House Cook, 1979-2008
Box-Folder 1.8: Photographic Services, 1990-1995
Box-Folder 1.9: Residence in Azalea House/Cooperatives, 1965-1992

Series 7: Correspondence, 1987-2007

Series 7 consists of correspondence received by Azalea House as well as informational letters sent to new and returning residents.

Box-Folder 1.10: General, 1992-2000
Box-Folder 1.11: Letters from Alumni, 1991-2007
Box-Folder 1.12: Summer Letters to New and Returning Members, 1987-2007

Series 8: Executive Training and Retreat Materials, 1985-2008

Series 8 contains handouts, handbooks, and other reference materials generated for Azalea officer executive training workshops and retreats. Also included among these materials are meeting minutes, notes, and completed questionnaires.

Box-Folder 1.13: Executive Training and Retreat Materials, 1985-1999
Box-Folder 1.14: Executive Training and Retreat Materials, 2003-2008

Series 9: Guestbooks, 1972-2011

Series 9 is made up of three guestbooks listing visitors and attendees of various special events at Azalea House.

Box-Folder 1.15: Guestbooks, 1972-2011
Box-Folder 1.16: Guestbooks, 1980-2002
Box-Folder 1.17: Guestbooks, 1993-2005

Series 10: Handbooks, 1996-2014

Series 10 consists of handbooks and manuals prepared for management of the budget and service on the Judicial Board.

Box-Folder 1.18: Food Purchasers’ Manual, 1998
Box-Folder 1.19: Inter-Cooperative Association Judicial Board Orientation and Training Manual, 2000
Box-Folder 1.20: Job Packets, 2011/12-2013/14
Box-Folder 1.21: Treasurer’s Handbooks, 1996-2008

Series 11: Historical Essays, 1970 - circa 1995

Series 11 is comprised of essays and writings on the history of Azalea House.

Box-Folder 1.22: "The Impossible Dream", circa 1995: Oregon Association for Family and Community Education
Box-Folder 1.23: Student Cooperative Housing at OSU: 1935-1981, 1981
Box-Folder 1.24: "This Is Azalea", 1970: A photocopied section of a scrapbook.

Series 12: InterCooperative Association and Judicial Board Records, 1965-2011

Series 12 contains records generated by the Inter Cooperative Association and the Judicial Board that includes bylaws, handbooks, meeting minutes, memoranda, mission statements, notes, policy statements, and reports. Documentation from the Judicial Board reflects the management of house rule violations.

Box-Folder 1.25: 1965-1993
Box-Folder 1.26: 1995-2005
Box-Folder 1.27: 2005-2011

Series 13: Meeting Minutes, 1953-2003

Series 13 is made up of minutes and agendas from house-wide meetings and meetings of the Azalea House Advisory Council.

Box-Folder 2.1: Azalea House Advisory Council, 1958-1961
Box-Folder 2.2: House Meetings, 1953-1956
Box-Folder 2.3: House Meetings, 1981-1982
Box-Folder 2.4: House Meetings, 1991-1993
Box-Folder 2.5: House Meetings, 1994-1997
Digital File 6: House Meetings, 2003

Series 14: Membership Lists, 1958-2014

Series 14 is made up of lists of Azalea House residents.

Box-Folder 2.6: Alumni Room Identification Sign-In Sheets, 2014
Box-Folder 2.7: Executive Officers, 1987-2005
Box-Folder 2.8: General, 1958-1999

Series 15: Notebooks, 1953-2013

Series 15 consists of notebooks and journals containing information about donations given to the house by former residents, colors used in the painting of various rooms, the occurrences of the “candle passing” ceremony, and notes reflecting the work of house executive officers.

Box-Folder 2.9: Alumni Donors, 2003
Box-Folder 2.10: Azalea House Journal of Candle Passings, 1997-2009
Box-Folder 2.11: Azalea Paint Book for Rooms, 2000-2007
Box-Folder 2.12: Contributions and Gifts to Azalea House, 1953-1957
Box-Folder 2.13: Executive/Chair Notes, 2003
Box-Folder 2.14: Executive/Chair Notes, circa 2002
Box-Folder 2.15: House Manager, circa 2005
Box-Folder 2.16: Officer Installation Record Keeping, 2006-2010
Box-Folder 2.17: Vice President's Notes, 1997-2002
Box-Folder 2.18: Vice President's Notes, 2009-2013

Series 16: Policies and Procedures, 1965-2006

Series 16 is made up of checklists, guidelines, and rules outlining policies and procedures for house maintenance, alcohol usage, residential chores, executive officer duties, fire safety, and regulations regarding visitors.

Box-Folder 2.19: Alcohol Policies, 1992
Box-Folder 2.20: Associated Women Students (AWS) Regulations, 1965-1967
Box-Folder 2.21: Cooperative House Director Searches, 1978-1998
Box-Folder 2.22: Duty Rules and Training, circa 2010
Box-Folder 2.23: Elections, 1982-1992
Box-Folder 2.24: Fire Drill and Evacuation Procedures, 1996-2003
Box-Folder 2.25: House Rules, 1978
Box-Folder 2.26: Housing Maintenance, 1998
Box-Folder 2.27: Initiation, 2006
Box-Folder 2.28: Policy Compliance Statements/Agreements, 1979-1997
Box-Folder 2.29: President/Vice President Duties, 1986-2004
Box-Folder 2.30: Room Assignment and Bed Sign Up, 2006
Box-Folder 2.31: Room Regulations, circa 1995
Box-Folder 2.32: Tours of the House, circa 1992-2010
Box-Folder 2.33: Visitation and Security Regulations, 1970-2005
Box-Folder 2.34: Walk-Ins and Walk-Outs, 1970

Series 17: Publications, 1953-2008

Series 17 consists of published material about Azalea House and it's residents. It is made up of newsletters, brochures, and event programs. The programs reflect participation by Azalea House residents in campus events such as the Interfraternity Sing and Mom’s Weekend Turtle Derby races.

Box-Folder 2.35: Event Programs, 1953-1973
Box-Folder 2.36: Informational Brochures and Flyers, 1967-1993
Box-Folder 2.37: Newsletters, 1976-2008

Series 18: Reports, 1953-1999

Series 18 contains reports generated by Azalea executive officers and the Benton County Environmental Health Division.

Box-Folder 2.38: Food Service Inspection Reports, 1995-1999
Box-Folder 2.39: Furnishings Inventory, 1953
Box-Folder 2.40: Term Reports to the Dean, 1967

Series 19: Signage, circa 2000-2010

Series 19 is made up of signage posted throughout Azalea House indicating quiet hours, rules, and bathroom stall identification. The signs are on sheets of paper and most are laminated.

Box-Folder 2.41: Signage, circa 2000-2010

Series 20: Songs, 1982

Series 20 consists of flyers and booklets with songs written for, and sung by, Azalea House residents.

Box-Folder 2.42: Songs, 1982

Series 21: Surveys, 1980-1997

Series 21 consists of blank and completed questionnaire and survey forms reflecting Azalea House resident opinion on various topics.

Box-Folder 2.43: Surveys, 1980-1997

Series 22: Weekly Menus, circa 2010

Series 22 is made up of flyers listing breakfast/lunch/dinner offerings for several weeks. The contents of the single folder in this series have been digitized and are available by request.

Box-Folder 2.44: Weekly Menus, circa 2010

Series 23: Photographs, 1957-2011

Series 23 is made up of photographic images depicting Azalea House residents in group shots and involved in various activities at the house. In total, there are 585 images in this series (292 negatives, 264 prints, and 29 slides).

Box-Folder 2.45: Cooperative Houses, 1991-1992
Box-Folder 2.46: Dad's Weekend, 1965-1988
Box-Folder 2.47: Group Shots, 1957-1971
Box-Folder 5.1: Group Shots, 1974/75-1980/81
Box-Folder 2.48: Group Shots, 2001-2010
Box-Folder 2.49: Mom's Weekend, circa 1965-1968
Box-Folder 3.1: Portrait Shots-Unidentified, circa 1998
Box-Folder 3.2: Presidents of Azalea House, 1954/55-2010/11
Box-Folder 3.3: Reed's Masquerade Party, 1988
Box-Folder 3.4: Steak Night with Beaver Lodge, 1988
Box-Folder 3.5: Various Activities-Unidentified, 1987-1988
Box-Folder 3.6: Various Activities-Unidentified, 1991-1992
Map-Folder Box 15: Photograph of Azalea House Building, 1950

Series 24: Photograph Albums, 1987-2006

Series 24 is comprised of three photograph albums containing images of events at Azalea House. The albums contain a total of 288 photographic prints.

Box-Item 3.7: Fall 1987
Box-Item 10.1: circa 1990
Box-Item 3.8: 2006

Series 25: Scrapbooks, 1958-2014

Series 25 consists of scrapbooks assembled by Azalea residents that contain a combination of photographs, newspaper clippings, dance cards, letters, invitations, greeting cards, event programs, and poems. The scrapbooks document everyday life and special events at the cooperative house as well as news about the members. This series contains 1500 photographic prints, which include images found loose in the scrapbooks.

Box-Item 5.2: 1958
Box-Folder 3.9: Loose items from scrapbook, 1958
Box-Item 6.1: 1960-1965
Box-Folder 3.10: Loose Items from Scrapbook, 1960-1965
Box-Item 7.1: 1965/66
Box-Item 8.1: 1967/68
Box-Item 6.2: 1968/69
Box-Folder 3.11: Loose Items from Scrapbook, 1967-1969
Box-Item 8.2: 1969/70
Box-Folder 3.12: Loose Items from Scrapbook, 1969/70
Box-Item 8.3: 1969-1971
Box-Folder 3.13: Loose Items from Scrapbook, 1969-1971
Box-Item 3.1: "This Is Azalea", 1970: Not in folder. Includes reel-to-reel sound recording of initiation speech given annually by Mrs. Sager. Recorded November 5, 1969.
Box-Item 9.1: 1971-1974
Box-Folder 3.14: Loose Items from Scrapbook, 1971-1974
Box-Item 9.2: 1972/73
Box-Item 7.2: 1972-1978
Box-Folder 3.15: Loose Items from Scrapbook, 1972-1978
Box-Folder 3.16: 1981-1985
Box-Folder 3.17: Loose Items from Scrapbook, 1981-1985
Box-Folder 3.18: 1985
Box-Folder 3.19: 1988-1990
Box-Folder 3.20: Loose Items from Scrapbook, 1988-1990
Box-Folder 3.21: 1991
Box-Folder 3.22: 1991
Box-Folder 3.23: 1992-1994
Box-Folder 3.24: 1996/97
Box-Folder 3.25: 1998/99
Box-Folder 3.26: 1999/2000
Box-Item 5.3: 2001 (Spring)
Box-Item 11.1: 2001/02
Box-Item 10.2: 2002/03
Box-Item 11.2: 2003/04
Box-Item 13.1: 2004/05
Box-Item 11.3: 2005/06
Box-Item 7.3: 2007/08
Box-Item 10.3: 2009/10
Box-Item 12.1: 2010/11
Box-Item 12.2: 2012/13
Box-Item 13.2: 2013-2014

Series 26: Plaques and Trophies, 1960-2014

Series 26 contains plaques and trophies recognizing Azalea House's participation in various campus competitions and events.

Box-Item 4.1: OSC Homecoming: House Signs Independent Women's Division-First Place, 1960
Box-Item 4.2: Interfraternity Council (IFC) Sing-2nd Place, 1969
Box-Item 4.3: 15th Annual Beta Theta Pi Turtle Derby-Best Dressed Turtle, 1977
Box-Item 4.4: Homecoming "Repeat The Feat"-1st Place, 1986
Box-Item 4.5: IFC Sing Participation, 1990
Box-Item 4.6: 28th Annual Mary's Peak Marathon: Independent Team-3rd Place, 1991
Box-Item 4.7: IFC Sing Participation, 1991
Box-Item 4.8: IFC Sing Participation, 1992
Box-Item 4.9: Social Event of the Year-A Night in Hollywood, 2003/04

Series 27: Banners, 2014

Series 27 is made up of two banners containing handwritten messages from Azalea House residents about their favorite memories there.

Box-Folder 14