William Robinson papers
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
- Creation: 1913-2005
- Creation: 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
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).
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.
Subject
- Robinson, William (Person)
- Japanese Garden Society of Oregon (Organization)
- American Rhododendron Society. Portland Chapter (Organization)
- Neal family (Family)
- Title
- Guide to the William Robinson papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jeffrey A. Hayes
- Date
- 2019
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- 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