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Title: Barbara B. Peck Papers, 1922-1987

ID: MSS PeckB

Primary Creator: Peck, Barbara B. (Barbara Burtis), 1909-2014

Extent: 0.1 cubic feet. More info below.

Date Acquired: 00/00/2003

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

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.

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.

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

More Extent Information: 1 box

Statement on Access: Collection is open for research.

Acquisition Note: These materials were transferred to the University Archives in 2003 by the Oregon State University Foundation.

Related Materials: Other collections in the Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives that document faculty and student involvement with the American Home Economics Association include: the College of Home Economics and Education Records (RG 141); the Omicron Nu Records (MSS Omicron Nu); Human Development and Family Sciences Department (RG 085); the E. Roxie Howlett Collection (MSS H0wlett); the Oregon Home Economics Association Records (MSS OHEA); and the Academic Affairs Records (RG 022).

Preferred Citation: Barbara B. Peck Papers (MSS PeckB), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Finding Aid Revision History: This finding aid replaces information about the collection that was placed online in 2012.

Peck, Barbara B. (Barbara Burtis), 1909-2014

American Home Economics Association
Consumer education--Oregon.
Home economics--Study and teaching--Oregon--Corvallis.
Peck, Barbara B. (Barbara Burtis), 1909-2014
University History