Preferred Citation: Helen Blumenstiel Collection. Jereld R. Nicholson Library. Linfield University, McMinnville, Oregon. Gift of Peggy Reuler and Donna Jean McDaniel.

Biographical Note: Helen Blumenstiel was an artist and teacher throughout her life. She taught at Linfield College from 1946 to 1947, and then returned in 1952 to accept a full-time position teaching art. From that time until 1965, she led the expansion of the department and became the chairwoman of the Fine Arts department. Blumenstiel championed the awareness of the department by giving faculty lectures, and upon her retirement, the department was offering a dual degree in Art and Education. Outside of the Linfield College arena, Blumenstiel exhibited her work in New York, Seattle, Portland, and Salem, among other locations. Her later life involved much bicoastal travel, but she eventually settled on a farm in Salem, Oregon.

Summary Note: This collection comprises many documents of Helen Blumenstiel’s life and the influence she had on Linfield College (now University) during her many years running the art department. This collection includes class notes, sketches, portraits and farm photos to her will and some small personal belongings.