Oregon Chai records

Collection

Identifier: Coll553

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of records and publicity material regarding the firm Oregon Chai. The company's records include notes from its startup, incorporation papers, financial audits, investment documents, board minutes, and staff meeting notes. The collection also contains correspondence between Oregon Chai and other companies, including documents relating to Oregon Chai's sale to Kerry Foods; sales figures; marketing strategies; and advertising material. Press materials include articles which ran in trade magazines, and in publications such as Men's Journal, the Wall Street Journal, and the Oregonian. Additional materials include letterheads and unassembled Oregon Chai cartons and boxes.

Dates

1994-2005

Creator

Oregon Chai, Inc. (Organization)

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.

Administrative History

Oregon Chai was founded in 1994 in Portland, Oregon, by the mother-daughter team Theodora McMillen and Heather McMillen. The company quickly became successful, and in 2004 the McMillens sold it to the Irish firm Kerry Foods.

Extent

2.4 Cubic Feet (4 letter document cases; 1 slim letter document case; 1 flat box (16x20); 1 oversize folder (30x42))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Financial and marketing records of the firm Oregon Chai, along with press material about the company. Oregon Chai was a tea company that was founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1994, and sold to Kerry Foods in 2004.

Arrangement

Collection is arranged in five series: Series 1. Administrative records; Series 2. Dealings with other companies; Series 3. Marketing and sales records; Series 4. Press and publicity materials; Series 5. Other materials.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Theodora McMillen, May 2016 (Lib. Acc. 28827).

Separated Materials

Videotape cassettes were separated to Moving Image Collections, Oregon Historical Society Research Library. Model of Oregon Chai carton was separated to Museum Collections, Oregon Historical Society.