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Ken Kesey left an extraordinary legacy that has shaped social and cultural values to this day. Praised as one of the most important writers of his generation, his work has been translated into more than 30 languages. The Ken Kesey Collection contains irreplaceable typewritten manuscripts, artwork, collages, photographs, and correspondence dating from 1960 to 2001. This rich archive is a resource for students and scholars interested not only in Ken Kesey and his writing but also in the literature and culture of the 1960s.
It is well known that Ken Kesey's original work was deposited at the UO Libraries over the course of several years. After the collection was appraised, we had the option to purchase the contents, ensuring continued access for future generations of Oregonians. Few of our efforts have garnered such widespread and passionate support. Thanks to many of our friends and the university, we have been able to purchase the collection, and it will be permanently housed in Knight Library.
Ken Kesey is more than a well-known author He represents the state's literary heritage and culture and is considered a founding father of the 1960s counterculture. His legacy tells us much about Oregon and the university. The Kesey Archive is unquestionably one of our signature collections, and will be used by scholars and students in the state and from all over world.
The archive is huge—encompassing more than 100 large boxes of manuscripts, artwork, and correspondence. Our focus now will be on organizing, preserving, and digitizing the material for easier access. Given the scope of the project, we are continuing to raise funds to support this important work.
The Ken Kesey Fund enables the library to preserve the Kesey archive, a literary and cultural treasure, for future generations of students and scholars.
We appreciate your interest and support!
To contribute to a fund to support the Ken Kesey Papers, please contact:
Library Administration
541-346-3485
For information about the Ken Kesey Papers, please contact:
Linda Long, Curator of Manuscripts
541-346-1906