Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Historic Salem #4: Willamette University

900 State Street


IMG_4251 Reverend Jason Lee
Reverend Jason Lee
IMG_4252 Young Kalapuyan
A young Kalapuyan

Jason Lee and the Methodist missionaries originally came to Oregon to spread Christianity to the Native Americans and educate them. The Salem area was populated by a group known as Kalapuyans, and the missionaries began building the Oregon Indian Mission Manual Labor School. The Kalapuyan population had dwindled due to diseases introduced by early white explorers, and the remaining Kalapuyans were not receptive to the teachings of the missionaries. The school building ended up becoming the Oregon Institute, a school for the children for the missionary settlers.

IMG_4254 Oregon Indian Mission Manual Labor School in Salem, Oregon
The Oregon Indian Mission Manual Labor School, later the Oregon Institute & Willamette University.

The Oregon Institute was established February 1, 1842. The original Board of Trustees consisted of David Leslie, Jason Lee, Lewis H. Judson, Josiah L. Parrish, Alanson Beers, Gustavus Hines, Ira L. Babcock, Hamilton Campbell & George Abernethy. The Oregon Institute began with six students being taught by Chloe Clark Willson, wife of William Holden Willson. The building also served as a meeting house for the early government until the first capitol building was built. The Oregon Institute became Willamette University, which was chartered in 1853.

Historical Photos:
Oregon Institute (Oregon State Library)
Oregon Institute, 1842 (Salem Public Library)

IMG_3270 Monument outside Waller Hall at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon on September 4, 2006
Oregon Institute Monument at Willamette University

A monument on the grounds of Willamette University commemorates the creation of the Oregon Institute and the members of the original Board of Trustees. It was placed by Lewis Judson on February 1, 1972, the 130th anniversary of the founding of the Oregon Institute.

Historical Photos:
Monument Dedication, February 1, 1972 (Salem Public Library)

Willamette University granted its first degree to Emily J. York, a "Mistress of English Literature." It is the oldest university in the West.

Additional Links:
Willamette University at Salem Online History
Willamette University Historic Buildings at Salem Historical Quarterly

Map of the Willamette University Campus in Salem, Oregon
Map of the Willamette University Campus

This map shows the historic buildings on the Willamette University Campus. Each of the labeled buildings will be covered in its own post.

4A: Waller Hall
4B: Lausanne Hall
4C: Gatke Hall
4D: Art Building
4E: Eaton Hall
4F: Smullin Hall
4G: Star Trees
4H: Truman Wesley Collins Legal Center
4I: Granite Erratic
4J: Town and Gown
4K: Hallie Ford Museum of Art

Continue to 4A: Waller Hall

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