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Oregon State University
Special Collections and Archives
Research Center

Ellen and Carolyn Dishman Papers, 1998-2014

Predominant Dates: 1998-2004

The Ellen and Carolyn Dishman Papers are the collected materials and photography by the Dishmans documenting their involvement at Oregon State University in the late 1990s to early 2000s. As OSU students, they were involved in prominent LGBTQ+ groups on campus and served as primary advocates for the establishment of the Queer Resource Center (QRC) in 2001; the QRC is now called the Pride Center.

This collection includes a digital recording of a 2001 hearing regarding the Queer Resource Center's establishment. Reference access to this file is available upon request.

ID: MSS Dishman
Extent: 1.0 document case letter
More Extent Information
Scope and Content Notes
Biographical / Historical Notes
Statement on Access: This collection is open for research.
Arrangement
Preferred Citation: Ellen and Carolyn Dishman Papers (MSS Dishman), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.
Acquisition Note: These materials were donated to the Special Collections and Archives Research Center's OSU Queer Archives by Ellen and Carolyn Dishman in 2021.
Acquired: 2021.
Languages of Materials
Other

Container List

Series 1: Queer Resource Center and General LGBTQ+ History in Oregon, 2001-2014 Add to Shelf

Series 1 includes an issue of the Oregonian reporting on the legalization of same-sex marriage in the state of Oregon in addition to content related to the creation of the Queer Resource Center (QRC), later called the Pride Center, on OSU's campus. This content includes multiple issues of The Daily Barometer with articles, highlighted by the Dishmans, relating to the establishment of the QRC and the surrounding controversy of its proposed establishment. A video of a 2001 public hearing at OSU, mentioned in the articles, discussing the QRC’s establishment is included as well. There is also an invitation and information packet for the Pride Center building opening in 2004.

The digital file described in this series is available upon request.

Box-Folder 1.1: Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage - Oregonian Articles, 2014 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 1.2: Pride Center - Opening Invitation and Information Packet, 2004 Add to Shelf
Box-Folder 1.3: Queer Resource Center - Daily Barometer Articles, 2001 Add to Shelf
Digital File 1: Queer Resource Center - Hearing, 2001 Add to Shelf
Extent: 01:05:11; 488 MB
Series 2: Photographs, 1998-2004 Add to Shelf
Series 2 includes two curated albums, photography projects from a course at the OSU Craft Center and assignments from The Daily Barometer, and personal photographs depicting the Dishmans' life including queer community events at the university. More information about the events and people depicted in the photographs can be found in the folder descriptions; all photographic material has been annotated by the Dishmans to add more context to individual images.
Extent: 1001 negatives, 9 contact sheets, 364 prints
Box-Folder 1.4: Album - Drag Show and Rainbow Continuum Election, 2000-2002 Add to Shelf
Extent: 10 prints
Box-Folder 1.5: Album - Various Pride Events, 1999-2003 Add to Shelf
This album includes prints from the Rainbow Continuum Holiday Party (1999), OSU Pride featuring the Rainbow Continuum and Circle of Friends (2000), Student Involvement Office Queer Affairs Task Force (2000-2001), Queer Resource Center speakers (2001-2002), drag shows (2000-2003), and National Coming Out Day (1999-2000).
Extent: 25 prints
Box-Folder 1.6: Assignments for The Daily Barometer - Carolyn, 1998 Add to Shelf
Extent: 4 prints
Box-Folder 1.7: Assignments for Photography Class - Carolyn, Undated Add to Shelf
Extent: 162 negatives, 6 contact sheets, 24 prints
Box-Folder 1.8: Assignments for Photography Class - Ellen, Undated Add to Shelf
Extent: 91 negatives, 3 contact sheets, 16 prints
Box-Folder 1.9: Photographs, 1998-1999 Add to Shelf
This collection of images includes an OSU Marching Band competition, Oxford House Black Dress Dinner, Oxford House Initiation, Siblings Weekend, Westwind Camp, Arrowhead Girl Scout Camp, Oxford House Farewell Dinner, A Girls Basketball Team Carolyn Coached, and a Varsity House prank on Oxford House.
Extent: 141 negatives, 43 prints
Box-Folder 1.10: Photographs, 1999 Add to Shelf
This collection of images includes Sunset High School and OSU Marching Bands, National Coming Out Day, a hike up Iron Mountain, Oxford House Dad’s Weekend, Oxford House Fall Ball, Rainbow Continuum Holiday Party, Oxford House Cleaning Party, Miscellaneous Oxford House Activities such as group dinners and candid pictures of residents.
Extent: 196 negatives, 54 prints
Box-Folder 1.11: Photographs, 2000 Add to Shelf
This collection of images includes Oxford House Initiation, an Oxford House Sunriver trip, Oxford House Mom’s Weekend, the OSU International Fair, OSU Pride (performances, straight panel, and drag show), and Native American Night.
Extent: 198 negatives, 71 prints
Box-Folder 1.12: Photographs, 2000-2001 Add to Shelf
This collection of images includes Camp West Wind, an OSU Marching Band competition, the Special Olympics, and pictures of Carolyn and Ellen’s Corvallis home and cats.
Extent: 90 negatives, 31 prints
Box-Folder 1.13: Photographs, 2003-2004 Add to Shelf
This collection of images includes an OSU Drag Show, OMSI Camp, Love Makes a Family Rally, Virginia Hills Family Life Center SpongeBob Party, Lavender Graduation, and the Pride Center Opening.
Extent: 123 negatives, 83 prints
Box-Folder 1.14: Photographs, Undated Add to Shelf
The undated photographs in the collection include a photo of Ellen, a photo of Carolyn's dog Taffy, and a photo of a yard or garden area.
Extent: 3 prints