The University museum has created a display to honor the memory of Donald “Don” Dinsmore, who passed away at the age of 88 on September 17, 2013. Don arrived on the Bluff in June 1972 first as a custodian, and then served as the UP museum curator from 1984 until his second retirement in 2007. As caretaker of the many historical artifacts and photographs in the museum, Don created many historical displays across campus; it only seems fitting that the one who created so many of these historical memories should be honored and remembered in a display just for him. Please stop by the display case on the first floor of Buckley Center across from the Shepard Freshman Resource Center to view photographs and articles of Don through the years. For a narrated video of the display go to: wordpress.up.edu/museum or use a smart phone to scan the QR code in the Buckley Center display case. For more information contact Carolyn Connolly, museum coordinator, at 8038 or piatz@up.edu.
University museum
Rest In Peace, Don Dinsmore
Donald “Don” Dinsmore, who served as curator of the University Museum from its inception in 1984 to 2007, passed away in the morning on Tuesday, September 17, after a long illness. He was 88 years old.
Don started his career on The Bluff as a custodian in 1972, working mostly in the old Science Hall (now Romanaggi Hall), where he cheerfully went about his duties while befriending all and sundry faculty and staff and students who labored there. He was an elementary school teacher and vice principal for many years, a profession he entered after coming home from combat service in World War II, where he saw action in the South Pacific as a landing boat pilot.
The University museum came about as a mutual dream of Don and history professor Jim Covert, and started as a ragtag collection of artifacts piled on folding tables in a storeroom in Shipstad basement. Don spent countless hours collecting, cataloguing, storing, and displaying every item of historic significance to the University he could lay his hands on, and many of those items can be seen in the University museum to this day, still located in the basement of Shipstad across from the archives.
Services will take place on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m. at Hustad Funeral Home with interment at 12:30 p.m. at Willamette National Cemetery. Our prayers and condolences to Marian, Don’s widow, and his children, grandchildren, and many friends and admirers. Gifts in Don’s memory can be made to the University museum through Diane Dickey at dickey@up.edu.
Corrado Hall Museum Display
This week marks fifteen years since the dedication of Corrado Hall on September 23, 1998. It was the first residence hall to be built on the Bluff in thirty years. All are welcome to view a pictorial display of Corrado Hall created by the University museum in the display case near the computer stations in the Pilot House. The museum is located in the basement of Shipstad Hall, room 014. University faculty, staff, and students are invited to stop in and learn about the University’s past. Contact Carolyn Connolly at 8038 or piatz@up.edu for information.
New Museum Displays
New and returning students are being welcomed to The Bluff with a historical display of new school year traditions from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, created by the University Museum in the display case near the computer stations in the Pilot House. Campus community members are also invited to view pictorial displays of the Peace Garden, Galati Memorial, Victory Bell, and Rigley Field. If you’ve wanted to know how and why we have some of these special campus landmarks and locations, you can learn more about them in the three display cases located in Buckley Center Auditorium Foyer.
The University Museum is located in the basement of Shipstad Hall, room 014, and is open Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and also by appointment. All are welcome to visit. Contact Carolyn Connolly, museum coordinator, at 8038 or piatz@up.edu for more information.
New University Museum Display
All are invited to view a display of selections from the University Museum, located in the display case across from the Shepard Freshman Resource Center on the first floor of Buckley Center. Included in the display of photographs and memorabilia are Clive Charles’ Portland Timbers jersey from when he played for the Timbers (pictured) prior to coaching UP men and women’s soccer, some letterman sweater emblems from the 1950s, and vintage film equipment. To see more historical artifacts and photographs, all are welcome to visit the University Museum in the basement of Shipstad Hall, room 014. Hours are Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; or by appointment. For more information contact Carolyn Connolly, museum coordinator, at 8038 or piatz@up.edu.
Museum Hours For Reunion 2013
The University museum will be open for special hours on Saturday, June 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., during the 2013 Alumni Reunion. All are welcome to visit the museum in the basement of Shipstad Hall, room 014. The museum contains photographs and memorabilia illustrating the University of Portland’s historical, religious, social, and educational history. In addition to the regular collection there are special exhibits and displays in the museum and Shipstad Hall. Contact Carolyn Connolly, museum coordinator, at piatz@up.edu or 8038 for more information.
New Vanport Flood Museum Display
Sixty-five years ago, the University of Portland’s commencement exercises took place on Memorial Day, Sunday, May 30, 1948. During the ceremony, University president Rev. Theodore Mehling, C.S.C., announced that the dike surrounding the nearby city of Vanport had broken and Vanport was flooded. Several senior students and a number of commencement guests lived in Vanport, a hastily constructed housing project in North Portland built during World War II to house shipyard workers. To see photos of Vanport and the devastation caused by the flooding, stop by and view a new display created by the University museum in the display case near the computer stations in the Pilot House. The display includes a picture of a water-stained letterman sweater owned by Vanport resident and 1941 graduate Emmett Barrett, whose apartment and belongings were covered in mud. The original flood-damaged letterman sweater is on display in the museum.
The University museum is located in the basement of Shipstad Hall in room 014. Hours are Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and by appointment. All are welcome to visit the museum. Contact Carolyn Connolly, museum coordinator, at 8038 or piatz@up.edu for more information.
New Vanport Flood Museum Display
Sixty-five years ago, the University of Portland’s commencement exercises took place on Memorial Day, Sunday, May 30, 1948. During the ceremony, University president Rev. Theodore Mehling, C.S.C., announced that the dike surrounding the nearby city of Vanport had broken and Vanport was flooded. Several senior students and a number of commencement guests lived in Vanport, a hastily constructed housing project in North Portland built during World War II to house shipyard workers. To see photos of Vanport and the devastation caused by the flooding, stop by and view a new display created by the University museum in the display case near the computer stations in the Pilot House. The display includes a picture of a water-stained letterman sweater owned by Vanport resident and 1941 graduate Emmett Barrett, whose apartment and belongings were covered in mud. The original flood-damaged letterman sweater is on display in the museum.
The University museum is located in the basement of Shipstad Hall in room 014. Hours are Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and by appointment. All are welcome to visit the museum. Contact Carolyn Connolly, museum coordinator, at 8038 or piatz@up.edu for more information.
Got Artifacts?
The University of Portland Museum welcomes donations of University memorabilia and photographs for the museum collection and campus display cases, according to curator Carolyn Connolly. Faculty, staff, or departments with photographs or items of interest about the University of Portland’s academic, social, religious and athletic history (examples could include classroom and teaching props; overseas studies mementos; religious objects; sports uniforms and equipment; event programs, etc.) are asked to contact Connolly at museum@up.edu or 8038.
The Great Fire of 1969
Early on the morning of April 18, 1969 a five-alarm fire destroyed three wooden structures on campus on the site of what are now Mago Hunt Center and the Oddo Memorial by Franz Hall. Lost in the blaze were Education Hall (which housed the theater and AFROTC), Music Hall, and a smaller building which was formerly the psychological clinic and housed offices for The Beacon, student government, and other programs. The loss of the theater and music buildings, while devastating to their respective programs, paved the way for a new performing and fine arts facility, Mago Hunt Center, generously funded by regent Bill Hunt and named in honor of his beloved wife Mago, a great theatre afficionado. All are welcome to view a picture display of the fire and aftermath created by the University museum. The display case is located across from the Shepard Freshman Resource Center on the first floor of Buckley Center. For more information contact Carolyn Connolly, museum coordinator, at 8038, or piatz@up.edu.