​​​Harmful Language Statement

The Oregon State Archives’ holdings include original historical records that are products of the time and society in which they were created. Some of these records may contain language and content that is deemed inappropriate, biased, offensive, or harmful. The Oregon State Archives does not alter, edit, or modify original records, as we are entrusted to maintain the historical accuracy and integrity of our holdings.

Access Restrictions

Some records are restricted from public access based on ORS 192.398 and in alignment with HIPAA, 45 CFR 160.103​, paragraph (2)(iv). Access to files is restricted for a period of 75 years from the date of the patient’s discharge. However, if the patient died more than 50 years ago, the record may be released (regardless of whether they were discharged more or less than 75 years ago). Proof of death will be provided by the researcher or verified through our death records on Ancestry, the patient case file, or Oregon State Hospital (OSH) or Eastern Oregon State Hospital (EOSH) death volumes.

Records We Hold

1. OSH: Patient indexes, admissions, commitments, discharges, deaths, patient profiles, cremains files, and patient case files.
2. EOSH: Volumes of admissions, discharges, and deaths.
3. Hawthorne Asylum: We have only an index of patient names which has been transcribed and is available at this link.
4. Board of Eugenics: Meeting Minutes, 1917-1960. Records dated 1924-1960 have been redacted. These records are available at this link​.

Indexes

1. Patient case files have been indexed for those patients discharged from OSH up through 1947. The index is available at this link.
2. OSH commitment records (1862-1903) and OSH death registers (1883-1936) have been indexed on our Oregon Historical Records Index (OHRI)​.
3. EOSH admissions from 1879 to 1961 have been indexed; however, that index is restricted and not available online. Please contact the Reference Unit with your inquiry.

Requesting Records

Please complete our online request form​ or email the Reference Unit at reference.archives@sos.oregon.gov​. Include as much information as is known about the individual (names used, patient ID number, date of birth, date of admission/discharge/death, county where they resided, etc.).

Related Links

Oregon State Hospital Museum Project​

Oregon Hospital for the Insane in Portland​

Eastern Oregon State Hospital​

Oregon State Hospital Cremains​

Eugenics in Oregon​

Oregon State Board of Eugenics​