Oral Histories Collection
About this Collection
The Oregon Black Pioneers Oral Histories Collection consists of recordings from two separate sessions, both of which focus on the stories of figures instrumental to the formation and growth of Black communities in Oregon. All oral history interviews are available in full (with transcriptions) at the Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center (SCARC) oral histories page.
The first collection is made up of interviews of members of Eugene’s first Black community, conducted in 1993. These interview subjects are Bernice Johnson, Pauline Davidson, Annie, John, and Willie Mims, Mattie and Ed Reynolds, Pearlie Mae Washington, and Jerry Thompson. Interviews were conducted by members of the Black History Club at Jefferson Middle School, Eugene, Oregon. Special thanks to Michael Klindt for digitizing and donating this collection to Oregon Black Pioneers.
The second collection is comprised of interviews of community leaders from Portland, Eugene and Salem, conducted between 2018-2020. These interview subjects are Bill Rutherford, Geraldine Hammond, Charmaine Coleman, Joy Pruitt, Aletha Chavis, Kay Toran, Judy and Robert Boyer, Richard Hunter, and Veverly Campbell. Interviews were conducted by Ruth Kornfield and filmed by Gregory Black.
