Oregon State University. Herbarium

Since its establishment in the early 1880s, the Herbarium has served as the chief repository for Oregon State University's collection of flora as well as a laboratory for the study and identification of plants and fungi. Managed since 1883 by a curator under the auspices of the Department of Botany and Horticulture, the focus of the Herbarium has shifted away from the traditional role of student instruction and more toward the acquisition and cataloging of Pacific Northwest plant specimens. As a research facility, the Herbarium has become the leading center for research on the taxonomy of mycorrhizal fungi. Currently housed at Cordley Hall on the Oregon State University campus, the Herbarium has moved many times from its original location in Education Hall. The Herbarium has also resided in the Strand Agricultural building, the basement of the Memorial Union, and Gill Coliseum. In 1993, under pressure to cut costs stemming from state budget reductions, the University of Oregon Herbarium merged with the OSU Herbarium, increasing the number of plant specimens housed at Cordley Hall by nearly one-third.

From the description of Herbarium photographs, 1904-1963 (bulk 1904-1920). (Eugene Public Library). WorldCat record id: 53380132

The collecting of plant specimens by the university dates back to at least 1882, when professor B.J. Hawthorne reported that the USDA had donated a number of plant specimens to the college, and that he had collected around 500 specimens from around the region. The Herbarium grew from 2601 specimens in 1891 to 153,000 in 1967. In 1993, the herbarium of the University of Oregon was added to the OSU Herbarium, bringing the total number of specimens to more than 336,000. In the 1910s, the first special quarters for the herbarium were developed in Agriculture (now Strand) Hall. Since 1957 the Herbarium has been located in Cordley Hall. Herbarium curators have included E.R. Lake, 1886-1891 & 1899-1910; Helen M. Gilkey, 1918-1951; and Kenton L. Chambers, 1960-1990.

From the description of Herbarium records, 1915-1991. (Eugene Public Library). WorldCat record id: 45011477

The collecting of plant specimens by the university dates back to at least 1882, when professor B. J. Hawthorne reported that the USDA had donated a number of plant specimens to the college, and that he had collected around 500 specimens from around the region. The Herbarium grew from 2601 specimens in 1891 to 153,000 in 1967. In 1993, the herbarium of the University of Oregon was added to the OSU Herbarium, bringing the total number of specimens to more than 336,000. In the 1910s, the first special quarters for the herbarium were developed in Agriculture (now Strand) Hall. Since 1957 the Herbarium has been located in Cordley Hall. Herbarium curators have included E. R. Lake, 1886-1891 & 1899-1910; Helen M. Gilkey, 1918-1951; and Kenton L. Chambers, 1960-1990.

From the guide to the Herbarium Records, 1915-1991, (Oregon State University University Archives)

Since its establishment in the early 1880s, the Herbarium has served as the chief repository for the University's collection of flora as well as a laboratory for the study and identification of plants and fungi. Managed since 1883 by a Curator under the auspices of the Department of Botany and Horticulture, the focus of the Herbarium has shifted away from the traditional role of student instruction and more toward the acquisition and cataloging of Pacific Northwest plant specimens. As a research facility, the Herbarium has become the leading center for research on the taxonomy of mycorrhizal fungi. Currently housed at Cordley Hall, the Herbarium has moved many times from its original location in Education Hall. The Herbarium has also resided in the Strand Agricultural building, the basement of the Memorial Union, and Gill Coliseum. In 1993, under pressure to cut costs stemming from state budget reductions, the University of Oregon Herbarium merged with the facility at OSU, increasing the number of plant specimens housed at Cordley Hall by nearly one- third. Willamette University's collection of flora has also recently been transferred to the OSU Herbarium.

From the guide to the Herbarium Photographs, 1904-1963, 1904-1920, (Oregon State University Libraries University Archives)