Eleanor Donaldson papers

Collection

Identifier: 2008-020

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Eleanor Donaldson papers span the years 1909 to 1954 and contain an assortment of materials kept by Eleanor, primarily during her time serving in the Nurse Corps of Base Hospital 46 in Bazoilles-sur-Meuse, France during World War I. The papers include black and white 5x7 and oversized photographic prints, including Donaldson's graduation portrait from the St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing and scenes from Base Hospital 46 and Bazoilles-sur-Meuse; posters of French art; a copy of the "Oregon Nurse" featuring an article by Nurse Grace Phelps with a note from Donaldson; assorted correspondence addressed to Donaldson related to her service at Base Hospital 46; correspondence from former nurses of Base 46 regarding Christmas parties and charitable donations; invitations to Christmas reunion dinners from Phelps; fragments from a stained glass window of the Reims Cathedral; obituaries for Eleanor and Grace Phelps; and a footlocker previously owned by Eleanor.

Dates

Creation: 1909-1954

Creator

Donaldson, Eleanor (Creator, Person)

Restrictions on Access

There are no restrictions on access.

Conditions Governing Use

OHSU Historical Collections & Archives (HC&A) is the owner of the original materials and digitized images in our collections, however, the collection may contain materials for which copyright is not held. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials. Consult with HC&A to determine if we can provide permission for use.

Biographical Note

Eleanor Donaldson was born in 1874 and came to Oregon in 1900 from the County Down in Ulster, Ireland with her father James and her sister Annie and three brothers, Dave, Bill, and John (known as Jack and grandfather of donor Greg Donaldson). Annie was purportedly killed by a wagon. Dave and Bill settled in the Maupin, Oregon area on the Deschutes River. Jack was a ranch worker, shearing sheep and providing labor. He homesteaded in Bakeoven Canyon, just outside of Maupin. Jack married Lottie Crabtree.

Eleanor graduated from the St. Vincent School for Nurses in 1902. She enlisted in August 1917 with the Nurse Corps during WWI, and alongside Nurse Grace Phelps, served in the all-volunteer unit Base Hospital 46 as Acting Chief Nurse. She also later served as President of the Oregon State Nurses Association.

According to donor and great nephew Greg Donaldson, Eleanor remained single throughout her life. She may have spent some time with the Whitten family in the now extinct community of Kingsley. She passed away in October of 1954 at the age of 84. Her funeral was held on October 27 at J. P. Finley and Son's Rose Chapel, and she was buried at Kingsley Cemetery in Dufur, OR.

Extent

4.65 Linear Feet (1 half-sized document box, 2 oversized flat folders, 3 rolled up posters, and 1 oversized artifact)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Eleanor Donaldson papers span the years 1909 to 1954 and contain an assortment of materials kept by or about Eleanor, primarily during her time serving in the Nurse Corps of Base Hospital 46 in Bazoilles-sur-Meuse, France during World War I. Materials include photographs, posters, correspondence, publications, obituaries, artifacts, and other documents.

Acquisition Information

The collection was donated to the archives by Eleanor Donaldson's great nephew, Greg Donaldson. The original donation was received by the archives in July 2008, with later additional donations in 2013, 2025, and 2024.

Related Archival Materials

John Guy Strohm Scrapbook: Base Hospital 46, 2004-026 Otis B. Wight- Base Hospital 46: Glass Plate Negative Collection, 2006-012 Grace Phelps Papers, 2010-005