Margery Hoffman Smith papers
Scope and Contents
Collection includes correspondence and diaries of Julia Hoffman, 1891-1934; correspondence of Margery Hoffman Smith, 1896-1981; financial records; inventories of art collections; appointment calendars; memorabilia regarding the Smith and Hoffman families; miscellaneous papers and correspondence relating to Smith's professional and philanthropic activities. Materials previously designated Mss 2660-1 include: inventories and appraisals, 1957-1981; financial records, 1963-1981, of the Wauna Land Company, the Julia E. Hoffman Trust, the F.C. Smith Trust, and donations to the Portland Art Museum; and correspondence with Jane Steel. Materials previously designated Mss 2660-2 include: correspondence and financial records, 1975-1986, concerning estates and trusts; history of 825 Francisco; insurance information; notebook of Jane Steel.
Dates
- Creation: 1885-1986
Creator
- Smith, Margery Hoffman, 1888-1981 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.
Biographical note
Margery Hoffman Smith was born in 1888 to a prominent family in Portland, Oregon. She became a leading supporter of the arts, both in Portland and later in San Francisco, where she lived with her husband Ferdinand C. Smith, a partner in the brokerage house of Merrill, Lynch, Pearce, Fenner and Smith. In the 1930s, Margery Hoffman Smith worked with the Works Progress Administration, supervising the handcraft work carried out for Timberline Lodge. Her later contributions to the Portland Art Museum and the Oregon School of Arts and Crafts greatly enhanced both institutions.
Extent
13.59 Cubic Feet (13 record cartons and 1 flat box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Margery Hoffman Smith (born 1888) was a leading supporter of the arts, both in Portland, Oregon, and later in San Francisco. In the 1930s, Smith worked with the Works Progress Administration, supervising the handcraft work carried out for Timberline Lodge. Collection includes correspondence and diaries of Julia Hoffman, 1891-1934; correspondence of Margery Hoffman Smith, 1896-1981; papers related to Smith's professional and philanthropic activities; financial records; inventories and appraisals; and materials relating to Jane Steel, including corresondence and a notebook.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Margery Hoffman Smith estate, December 1981. Materials previously designated Mss 2660-1, gift of Marshall Steel, Jr., November 1985; materials previously designated Mss 2660-2, gift of Jane Watson Steel, August 1988.
Processing Information
Contains material previously designated Mss 2660-1 and 2660-2.
Subject
- Smith, Margery Hoffman, 1888-1981 (Person)
- Hoffman, Julia (Person)
- Steel, Jane Watson -- Correspondence (Person)
- Smith, Ferdinand C. (Person)
- Hoffman family (Family)
- Smith family (Family)
- Portland Art Museum (Or.) (Organization)
- Wauna Land Co. -- Records and correspondence (Organization)
Genre / Form
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the Margery Hoffman Smith papers
- Status
- Completed
- Date
- 2012
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240
libreference@ohs.org