900 State Street
 Reverend Jason Lee |  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.
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)
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
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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