Services > Central Library > John Wilson collections > Current exhibit
The Manuscript of Lewis A. McArthur's Oregon Geographic Names: Rediscovery of an Oregon Treasure
Location, time
- John Wilson Special Collections
- Central Library
- 801 S.W. 10th Avenue
- Portland, OR
- May 6–June 28, 2008
- Tuesday: 2:30–5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday: 3:30–7 p.m.
- Friday: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Saturday: 2:30–6 p.m.
About the exhibit
Although given to the library by the author in 1926, the manuscript of Lewis A. McArthur's first edition of Oregon Geographic Names — one of the most important publications on the history of Oregon — had been misplaced. In late 2007, however, library staff rediscovered the seven-volume manuscript and moved it to its present location in the secure environment of the John Wilson Special Collections.
Although Oregon Geographic Names was first published in book form in 1928, it appeared initially as part of the Oregon Historical Quarterly beginning in 1925. This rich manuscript, containing fragments of the Quarterly's entries, along with additional typed and handwritten corrections and additions, provides a fascinating glimpse of the origins of the state's most beloved and well-used geographical reference source.
The exhibition features all seven volumes of the manuscript, along with all the published editions of Oregon Geographic Names, borrowed from Lewis L. McArthur, son of the original author, and author of the last four editions.
For more information, contact John Wilson Special Collections Librarian Jim Carmin at 503.988.6287.