Our over two decade history shows OCHC to be strongly mission driven. We have produced many successful events and projects that have raised the profile of one of our region's most unheralded assets, our creative cultural heritage, and the many great individuals who have made it unique.


"The C.E.S. Wood Celebration was WONDERFUL! It was delightful, and very appropriate for the Library to participate in the festivities. Wood is a fine emblem of Portland. "Your vision, hard work, and good cheer made it happen. Working with you was a pleasure, and we all benefited from your good work."

Ginnie Cooper, Director of Libraries, Multnomah County



Poet-artist-attorney Charles Erskine Scott Wood set high standards for our region's culture and was instrumental in the creation of many of its primary cultural institutions.

Strong history of community support and project completion Funding for OCHC has primarily come from private individuals (see page 2a) and the charitable sector. Memorials and cultural programs have been completed in a timely fashion with very finite budgets. Resources for symposia, programs, memorials and operations have come from the following foundations, public entities, and granting institutions:

  • Clark Foundation
  • The Collins Foundation
  • The Friends of the [Multnomah County] Library
  • H&M Fund - Howard & Manya Schapiro
  • Irvington Community Association
  • The Library Foundation, Inc.
  • North Star Foundation - Stan Amy & Christy Eugenis
  • Oregon Community Foundation
  • Oregon Council for the Humanities
  • Peninsula Optimist Club
  • Portland Public Schools
  • Regional Arts & Culture Council
  • Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation
  • Tri-Met
  • Tektronix Foundation
  • Rose E. Tucker Charitable Trust
  • The Wyss Foundation
Concerned that arts organizations were focusing only on contemporary literary authors, Brian Booth co-founded the Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission, which promotes the state's literary and cultural heritage.

Brian Booth


"Oregon is a good place for artists. It's a good place to live. It breeds artists.
I'm not saying it's Paris in the '20s, but intellectuals, independents, eccentrics —
they find others here for support. It's an encouraging atmosphere."

                                                     "All About Oregon," Old Oregon, Winter 2001


Collaborations with public and private sectors OCHC programs, exhibits and memorials have depended on extensive collaboration from regional, national, and international institutions and their representatives. A partial list of our colleagues and collaborators includes:
  • Multnomah County Library
  • Oregon State Library
  • Center for the Book
  • Portland Public School District 1
  • Orondo Schools - Washington

  • University of Oregon -
  •    Labor Education & Research Center
  •    School of Journalism
  •    Archives & Special Collections
  • The University of Portland
  • Portland State University - several departments
  • Reed College
  • Pacific University
  • Marylhurst University
  • Chemeketa Community College
  • Portland Community College
  • Oregon Historical Society
  • Clackamas County Museum of History
  • Pacific Northwest Labor History Association
  • Oregon State Parks
  • Portland Parks and Recreation
  • Metro Washington Park Zoo
  • Tri-Met
  • Portland Repertory Theater
  • Regional Arts & Culture Council
  • Portland Art Museum
  • Northwest Film Center
  • Oregon Historic Preservation Office
  • Pioneer Cemetery Commission
  • Oregon Pioneer Cemetery Association
  • Cimetire des Gonards - France
  • International Herald Tribune - France
  • VPRO Television - Holland
  • Ediciones Curso - Spain
  • Edizioni Pantarei - Italy
  • Association for the Study of the Western - Germany
  • The Oregonian
  • Northwest Examiner
  • The Alliance
  • KBOO-FM
  • KOPB-FM
  • Fox 49 TV O
  • Oregon State University Press
  • University of Nebraska Press
  • Ahsahta Press - Boise State U.
  • Powell's Books
  • Klindt Bookstore - The Dalles
  • Looking Glass Bookstore
  • Great Northwest Bookstore
  • Far Corner Books/Breitenbush Press
  • Urion Press
  • Irish Setter Typesetting
  • The Oregon Literary Coalition
  • Fishtrap
  • Literary Arts, Inc.
  • Oregon State Poetry Association
  • Sam Simpson Society
  • Joaquin Miller Newsletter
  • ORLO / The Bear Deluxe
  • Timberline Lodge
  • The Sovereign Collection
  • Mark Woolley Gallery
  • ArtSpace Gallery
  • Inkling Studio