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Beth Russell Papers, 1941-2005

Collection Overview

Title: Beth Russell Papers, 1941-2005

ID: MSS RussellB

Primary Creator: Russell, Elizabeth

Extent: 2.7 cubic feet. More info below.

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

Abstract

The Beth Russell Papers consist of memorabilia collected by Russell and reflecting her undergraduate experience at Oregon State College and a trip to Alaska taken in 1941.

Scope and Content Notes

The collection includes memorabilia documenting cultural and athletic events in Corvallis attended by Russell as well as her interaction with local friends, as recorded through letters and newspaper clippings. These items are arranged chronologically by year. Another component of the collection pertains to Russell's trip to Alaska in 1941 and includes articles and clippings about Alaska and northern Canada collected after the vacation. Most of the photographic images (129 slides, 10 prints) in the collection depict the Alaska trip. Artifacts relating to Alaska include a necklace and small totem figure.

Material types held in this collection include appointment calendars, brochures, certificates, correspondence, flyers, greeting cards, newspaper clippings, notes, photographs, event programs, postcards, sketches, ticket stubs, OSU Athletics trading cards, travel diaries, and a scrapbook.

An addition to the Beth Russell Papers (Accession 2012:051) is made up of artifacts, photographs, and publications collected by alumna Russell that document OSU athletics, campus art exhibits, and Russell's membership in the Sigma Kappa sorority. Consisting of photographic prints mounted on 7 album pages, the images were taken by Russell on "football day" and depict members of 1997 football team, athletic coaches, and cheerleaders. The publications include a OSU basketball yearbook, an OSU athletics guest guide, an OSC songbook, a Sigma Kappa songbook, and art exhibit announcements. Among the artifacts include: ribbons, baseball caps, a football helmet Christmas ornament, decals, noise-makers, and a cloth swatch with a silk screen impression of Elvis (Las Vagas Bowl game?).

Biographical / Historical Notes

A longtime Corvallis resident raised on a local poultry farm, Beth Russell graduated from Oregon State College in 1937 with an undergraduate degree in Home Economics. After college, Beth worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad and became active in local service organizations.

Administrative Information

More Extent Information: 139 photographs; 4 cubic foot boxes

Statement on Access: Collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation: Beth Russell Papers (MSS RussellB), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Processing Information: This collection is not fully processed and a complete finding aid is not available at this time.

Creators

Russell, Elizabeth

People, Places, and Topics

Russell, Elizabeth
University History


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.