MARCH IS WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH!

A tribute to women of significance in Harney County history begins with a special acknowledgement of Claire McGill Luce, namesake of archival repository at the Harney County Library.

𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹 𝗠𝗰𝗚𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝘂𝗰𝗲 was an accomplished businesswoman, humanitarian, and philanthropist born in Andrews, Harney County, Oregon. She successfully worked her way up the corporate ranks from humble beginnings but never lost touch with her roots. Although much of her adult life was spent traveling the world, experiences during her girlhood in rural Oregon were never forgotten.

In 1969, Luce heard that a new library was being planned for Burns and determined to preserve the history of the county she loved. It was Luce's goal to encourage the local community not only to appreciate its rich history but to preserve it for future generations. The next year, she wrote George Hibbard, a friend in Burns, that she had

“...found faith and courage in a place of ghosts, Harney City, from my Grandfather who never experienced comfort and security, but whose door was never locked, and whose meager table was freely shared by every stranger. I am forever grateful to Harney County.”

Beginning in 1970, an annual $1,000 endowment from Luce to the Harney County Library led to the collection of oral history interviews and the gathering of other local historical resources. Her vision culminated with the addition of the Claire McGill Luce Western History Room archives and research room to the Harney County Library.

Shortly after Claire’s untimely death on June 22, 1971, the initial annual endowment was converted to a lump sum distribution in the form of Time-Warner stock. Decades later, the stock value soared and a non-profit library foundation was created to oversee the funds. In 2006, coupled with grants, donations, and matching community-raised funds, creation of the archival room blossomed from Luce’s vision and the seed of her initial bequest.

Read more about Claire McGill Luce's life and accomplishments in a short biography temporarily located on the 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 display at the Harney County Library.

Search the indexed oral history interview transcripts collection and much more online through our Digital Collections website.