Bob "Ma" Whitney memorabilia

Collection

Identifier: Coll 933

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of the memorabilia of Bob "Ma" Whitney. A substantial amount of this memorabilia relates to The Family Zoo, a gay bar in Portland, Oregon, that Whitney co-owned. These materials include mock-ups and printed versions of posters for The Family Zoo; photographs of Whitney and others in front of The Family Zoo; an "obituary" page that Whitney made after it closed; and a notice for a public auction selling off equipment from The Family Zoo. The collection also includes two posters for Rainier Beer, which The Family Zoo served. Other materials in the collection include certificates that were awarded to Whitney at gay community events; event posters; posters for Cissy's Saloon and Mary's Hamburgers; a menu from Roxy Heart's Memorial Diner; programs for the 1983 Rose Bowl Classic and the 1985 Portland mayoral inauguration; a poster dedicated to Whitney by Doris Daze; a poster for Frank Branch Riley's 1932 slideshow presentation "The Lure of the Great Northwest"; and issues of the newspapers The Eagle Newsmagazine and Central City Enterprize. Several items in the collection are embossed with, "Library of Ma, the Great Seal of Rose IX."

Dates

Creation: 1932-1986
Creation: Majority of material found within circa 1974-1986

Creator

Whitney, Bob "Ma" (Compiler, 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.

Historical Note

Bob "Ma" Whitney was co-owner of The Family Zoo, a gay bar that operated from 1971 to 1986 at 820 S.W. Oak Street in Portland, Oregon.

Sources: Articles in the Oregonian, 1977-1986; Portland city directories, 1972-1985.

Extent

0.5 Cubic Feet (4 folders in shared box; 3 oversize folders (12x15) in shared flat box; 7 oversize folders (20x24) in shared flat box; 1 oversize folder (20x30); 2 oversize folders (30x42))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Memorabilia of Bob "Ma" Whitney, including posters and other items relating to The Family Zoo, a gay bar in Portland, Oregon, that Whitney co-owned. The Family Zoo operated from 1971 to 1986.