William Robinson papers

Collection

Identifier: Coll791

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of William ("Robbie") Robinson's papers. In addition to Robinson's own personal correspondence, clippings, and photographs, the collection includes newsletters and other publications relating to the Neal family, to whom Robinson was related. A significant portion of the collection consists of records, photographs, and publications relating to the Japanese Garden of Portland, Oregon, the American Rhododendron Society, and other gardens and gardening organizations. The collection also includes a number of nursery catalogs.

Dates

1913-2005
Majority of material found within 1945-2005

Creator

Robinson, William (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

William ("Robbie") Robinson was born in 1917 in Lonerock, Oregon. He spent much of his life in Portland, Oregon, where he worked as a gardener for the Portland Park Bureau, serving as head gardener for 25 years. Robinson was a charter member of the American Rhododendron Society. He also played a significant role in the construction of the Japanese Garden of Portland, and worked as a volunteer for that garden. Among the honors that Robinson received were the Portland Beautification medal and a medal presented by Japanese emperor Hirohito. The Robbie Robinson rhododendron, which he cultivated in the 1940s, is named for him. He and his wife, Lena Fossati Robinson, had three daughters: Joanne Robinson, Martha White, and Nancy Izatt. Robinson died in May 2011 in Portland, Oregon.

Extent

1.62 Cubic Feet (4 letter document cases, 1 map folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Papers of Portland, Oregon gardener William ("Robbie") Robinson, including materials relating to the Neal family, the Japanese Garden of Portland, the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, and nursery catalogs.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in four series: Series 1. Personal and family papers; Series 2. Japanese Garden of Portland; 3. Other gardens and gardening societies; 4. Nursery catalogs.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gifts of William Robinson, 2005 and 2006, (Lib. Accs. 25651 and 25951).

Related Materials

Records of the American Rhododendron Society collected by Robinson are designated Mss 2488, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Records of the Japanese Garden Society of Oregon are designated Mss 1859, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Separated Materials

Issues of Rhododendron News and the newsletter of the Cecil and Molly Smith Garden were separated to serials collections, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.