HC&A Audio/Visual Collection

The OHSU Library originated as a donation to University of Oregon Medical Department in 1893 of the personal book collections of two deceased Portland physicians: Rodney Glisan and R. B. Wilson. From 1893 to 1919 it was known as the R. B. Wilson Library and was located in the University of Oregon Medical Department building at N.W. 23rd and Lovejoy. The Library moved into the newly completed Biomedical Information Communication Center building in September 1991 and the building was dedicated on November 8, 1991. The original books are now located in the Library’s History of Medicine Room, integrated with other historical books. Since the early 20th century therefore, the OHSU’s library’s collections have been distinguished by rare and unique materials. The mission of the Library’s Historical Collections and Archives (HC&A) department has remained to collect, preserve, and provide access to valuable primary resources such as rare books, archives, manuscripts, and artifacts. Collections include over 4000 rare books on the health sciences, dating from early 16th century to the mid-20th century, and artifacts like medical instruments, supplies, specimens, uniforms, and other cultural objects. Furthermore, the Archives and Manuscripts materials document the record of OHSU and its predecessor institution and include administrative records, photographs, campus publications, and other assorted resources. A large part of this collection is made up of campus photographs taken by Kent Anderson. The images span the University’s recent history, from 2005-present, and include images from helicopters to snow days, festivals to the construction of new buildings, and of course, the virtual photo-documentation of the building of the Portland Aerial Tram.