This oral history interview with Dorothea M. Lensch was conducted by Roberta Watts at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, in two sessions on December 5 and 16, 1977, as part of the oral history program at the society's research library. The sound quality is very poor.

In the first interview session, conducted on December 5, 1977, Lensch discusses her education in recreation at Mills College in Oakland, California, at the University of Oregon in Eugene, and at Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. She talks about the development of the concept of recreation in public parks beyond playgrounds for children. She shares her reasons for returning to Portland after heading the dance department at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., speaks about serving as director of recreation for the Portland Parks Bureau with Paul Keyser, and discusses lobbying the city government for parks programs. She talks about services offered by the Parks Bureau in the 1930s and 1940s, including health services and child care; about acquiring buildings and land for the bureau; and about her experiences as a woman in municipal government. She speaks at length about developing performing arts and sports programs for the Parks Bureau. She shares her thoughts about the operations of the bureau at the time of the interview.

In the second interview session, conducted on December 16, 1977, Lensch discusses the work of the Portland Parks Bureau after her retirement, then reflects on the accomplishments of her career. She speaks about the importance of parks to communities, talks about the facilities and design of several specific parks, and describes the organizational structure of the bureau. Interviewer Watts discusses the prevalence of hostile architecture in parks, and Lensch talks about public art replacing street furniture in Portland. She speaks about her experience with recreational programming in other countries, particularly Germany. She closes the interview by talking about the long-term benefits of recreational programming for children and communities.

This oral history interview with Red Dunning was conducted by Kathleen D. Walsh in Portland, Oregon, on March 1, 1982, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. Alice E. Dunning was also present and occasionally contributed to the interview. In this interview, Dunning discusses his career as music director at the KOIN radio station in Portland. He talks about the change from live radio shows to pre-recorded programming, about the people he worked with at KOIN, and about shows he had on KOIN-TV. He also discusses his interest in nature photography. He closes the interview by looking at photographs and ephemera and talking about them.

This oral history interview with Lawrence Leighton Smith was conducted by Linda S. Dodds on May 12, 1980, in Portland, Oregon, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. At the time of the interview, Dodds' name was Linda S. Brody.

In this interview, Smith discusses his family background and early life in Portland, particularly his early musical education. He talks about his experience studying music at Portland State University, with Ariel Rubstein, and at Mannes College of Music. He describes serving as assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera from 1964 to 1967. He then speaks at length about his career as conductor and music director for the Oregon Symphony in Portland from 1973 to 1980, including working with musicians, developing programs, and playing to Oregon audiences. He closes the interview by talking about his hopes for his next career as music director for the San Antonio Symphony.

This oral history interview with Monte Ballou was conducted by Linda S. Dodds on September 16, 1980, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. At the time of the interview, Dodds' name was Linda S. Brody. A transcript of the interview is available.

In this interview, Ballou discusses his family background and early life in Amity, Oregon, including his early interest in playing music, particularly the banjo and mandolin. He talks about playing in bands, particularly the Castle Jazz Band; about the music community in Oregon, particularly in Portland; and about running jazz clubs in Portland. He closes the interview by reflecting on his long career as a musician and talking about musicians he worked with.

This oral history interview with Ariel Rubstein was conducted by Charles Digregorio in Portland, Oregon, on August 16, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society's oral history program.

In this interview, Rubstein discusses leaving Kiev, Russia (now Ukraine), during the Russian Revolution and his journey to Portland, Oregon. He talks about playing music in Constantinople, Turkey (now Istanbul), and in Berlin, Germany, while awaiting approval for his U.S. visa. He then talks about his career in music in Portland, Oregon, including his work with the Portland School of Music, developing the Opera in the Park program, and producing concerts, operas, and musicals through his business, Celebrity Attractions. He closes the interview by reflecting on his accomplishments and by talking about his future musical plans.

This oral history interview with Lew Cook was conducted by Martha Gies in two sessions on June 20 and June 26, 1979. A transcript is available.

In the first interview session, conducted on June 20, 1979, Cook discusses the difficulty of safely storing nitrate film, which can spontaneously combust, and talks about his plans to hold a nitrate-burning bonfire event. He discusses his early life in Portland, Oregon, including how he became interested in film. He talks about spending time at Portland's Film Row in the early 1920s; about how he got his first camera at age 10; and about people he worked with in Portland's early film industry, including Jesse Sill and Claude Palmer. He describes running his own business, in which he traveled with projectors to show films in towns around Oregon, and discusses his involvement with the Oregon Camera Club.

In the second interview session, conducted on June 26, 1979, Cook speaks further about his early life in Portland and discusses his family background. He talks more about Portland's Film Row, including the reasons why the business moved to Gresham around 1928. He further discusses traveling with projectors to play films in towns around Oregon, and talks about films he made, particularly a film about a cute baby contest.

This oral history interview with Marie A. Gary was conducted by Sue Seyl and George Champlin at Gary's home in Vancouver, Washington, on January 20, 1981, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Gary discusses working at the Cronise Studio in Salem, Oregon. She talks about working with Thomas J. Cronise, and describes his process of portrait photography. She speaks about her work retouching and tinting photographs. She discusses the studio's business operations, clientele, and layout. She speaks about Thomas J. Cronise and his family.

This oral history interview with Milton W. Wilson was conducted by Charles Digregorio at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, on May 25, 1978, as part of the oral history program at the society's research library.

In this interview, Wilson discusses his early interest in art. He talks about studying art at the Museum Art School in Portland. He speaks about his career as an artist in Portland and in San Francisco, his art style, and his artistic process. He also talks about struggling with alcoholism, selling his art through galleries, and the art community in Portland.

This oral history interview with Frances L. Van Hevelingen was conducted by Charles Digregorio on April 20, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. Deborah Frosaker and Mary Prittchard were also present. In this interview, Van Hevelingen discusses her family history and early life on a rose farm in the Willamette Valley. She talks about her encaustic painting technique, her art style, and her artistic process. She also talks about weaving as an art form. She speaks about the art community in the United States.

This oral history interview with Henk Pander was conducted by Charles Digregorio at Pander's home in Portland, Oregon, on July 28, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Pander briefly discusses his early life and education in the Netherlands. He talks about his early career as an artist in Amsterdam in the 1960s, about his marriage to Marcia Lynch, and about moving to Portland, Oregon, in the mid-1960s. He discusses adjusting to life in the United States, shares how his experiences as a college professor during the Vietnam War influenced his art, and talks about some of his other artistic influences, including astronomy and science fiction. He closes the interview by talking about his use of color in his paintings.

This oral history interview with Charles E. Heaney was conducted by Charles Digregorio at Heaney's home in Portland, Oregon, on May 15 and May 22, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. The interview was conducted in two sessions.

In the first interview session, conducted on May 15, 1978, Heaney discusses his interest in calligraphy. He talks about his early life in Portland, Oregon, about working for the Brandenburg Engraving Company, and about studying at the Museum Art School, now known as the Pacific Northwest College of Art. He describes traveling in Eastern and Southern Oregon and in rural Nevada, and talks about how those areas influenced his paintings. He discusses his artistic process, talks about his friendship with Oregon artist C. S. Price, and reflects on what it means to be an artist. He speaks about his feelings regarding his early artwork.

In the second interview session, conducted on May 22, 1978, Heaney speaks further about his friendship with C. S. Price, and talks about Price's life, his personality, and his career as an artist.

This oral history interview with William H. Givler was conducted by Charles Digregorio at Givler's home in Portland, Oregon, on May 17, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. In this interview, Givler discusses his early life in Portland, including his early art education. He talks about studying art in New York. He then speaks about his career as a teacher and dean at the Museum Art School in Portland and talks about the development of the school. He discusses the future of the school. He also talks about his work in painting and printmaking, including his art style and artistic process. He closes the interview by discussing how he has changed as an artist.

This oral history interview with Louis Bunce was conducted by Charles Digregorio from June 1 to July 19, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. The interview was conducted in two sessions.

In the first interview session, conducted on June 1, 1978, Bunce discusses his education at the Museum Art School in Portland, Oregon, now known as the Pacific Northwest College of Art. He talks about his experiences during the Depression and his involvement with the Works Progress Administration. He talks about his influences; describes his work in the Portland shipyards during World War II; and shares his artistic process. He talks about his involvement in the Portland Center for Visual Arts; discusses some of his art exhibitions; and talks about working on a commission for the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley, California.

In the second interview session, conducted on July 19, 1978, Bunce reflects on his career as an artist. He talks about his art style and how it changed over the years. He revisits the topic of working on a commission for the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley, California. He also revisits the topics of his artistic process and art style. He closes the interview by talking about the art community in Portland.

This oral history interview with Art Bimrose was conducted by Roberta Watts at the Oregonian Building in Portland, Oregon, on November 29, 1977, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. In this interview, Bimrose discusses his early life, education, and early jobs. He speaks about his career as an editorial cartoonist for the Oregonian newspaper; describes his artistic process; and reflects on some of the cartoons he drew. He closes the interview by talking about the training an editorial cartoonist should have.

A series of interviews conducted by Linda Brody regarding Pittock Mansions.

Tape 1: Marjorie Wright discusses her time living in the gatehouse of Pittock Mansion with her parents from 1920 to 1945, including the work her father did as head gardener.

Tape 2: Betty L. Meier discusses her childhood as a granddaughter of Henry L. Pittock and her memories of visiting Pittock Mansion.

Tape 3 and 4: Louise Barry discusses her relationship to the Pittock family and her memories of Pittock Mansion.

Tape 5: Robert "Peter" Gantenbein discusses the Pittock family and living in the Pittock Mansion. Eric Ladd is also present.

Tape 6: Allyn Staley discusses the restoration of the Pittock Mansion in the 1960s.

Tape 7: Alexander Bolton Pierce discusses the political process involved in the purchase of the Pittock Mansion by the City of Portland and its restoration in the 1960s.

This oral history interview with Margaret G. Fritsch was conducted by Linda S. Dodds on March 29, 1982. At the time of the interview, Dodds' name was Linda S. Brody.

In this interview, Fritsch discusses her family background and early life in Salem, Oregon. She talks about studying architecture at the University of Oregon, including the discrimination she faced as a woman. She then discusses her career as an architect, including the process of obtaining a license and some of the buildings she designed early in her career. She also talks about serving as secretary of the Oregon State Board of Architect Examiners. Fritsch discusses some of the architects she worked with, including Jamieson Parker and A.E. Doyle. She also talks about the architecture career of her husband, Frederick Fritsch. She briefly talks about adopting a child after Frederick Fritsch's death in 1934. She describes the effect the Depression had on their careers. She talks about working as a city planner for Juneau, Alaska, and her retirement in 1974. She closes the interview by talking about working with craftspeople; designing plinths for public art; and changes in the field of architecture.

This oral history interview with Fred C. Baker was conducted by Sheila Ann Finch on July 5, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Baker discusses his career in lighting design. He talks about architects he worked with, including Frederick Fritsch, Carl Linde, and Herman Brookman; discusses some of the buildings he designed lighting for, particularly the Pittock Mansion; and describes how he got his start in the lighting design business. He looks at photographs of his designs and talks about them. He closes the interview by briefly sharing his experience working on Timberline Lodge.

This oral history interview with Fred C. Baker was conducted by Charles Digregorio at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, on January 19, 1977, as part of the oral history program at the society's research library.

In this interview, Baker discusses his career as a lighting designer in Portland, Oregon. He talks about his association with architect A.E. Doyle, discusses his work for the Pittock Mansion, and describes his design and manufacturing process. He speaks at length about how lighting designs changed as electricity became widespread and as light bulbs became more powerful.

This oral history interview with Marion D. Ross was conducted by Linda S. Dodds at the University of Oregon in Eugene on August 22, 1980, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. At the time of the interview, Dodds' name was Linda S. Brody.

In this interview, Ross briefly discusses his early interest in Baroque architecture, then shares his experiences in the Army during World War II, particularly his training at Army bases in Oregon. He then talks about his career as a professor of architecture at the University of Oregon. He shares his reasons for coming to Oregon, talks about the work of the Historic American Buildings Survey in the state, and discusses the historic preservation of commercial buildings, particularly in Jacksonville and Portland. He also talks about the Northwest Regional style of architecture.

This oral history interview with Ruth McBride Powers was conducted by Margot Riordan-Eva in Oregon City, Oregon, on February 25, 1980. At the time of the interview, Riordan-Eva's name was Margot C. Vaughan.

In this interview, Powers discusses her work restoring historic buildings in Oregon, talks about articles she wrote on the subject, and speaks at length about collecting and preserving early Oregonian furniture. She closes the interview by sharing advice for future historic preservationists.

This oral history interview with Elisabeth Walton Potter was conducted by Linda S. Dodds in Salem, Oregon, on January 25, 1980, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. At the time of the interview, Dodds' name was Linda S. Brody.

In this interview, Potter discusses her education in art and architecture history at the University of Oregon and Penn State, and talks about some of her professors. She speaks about the origins of her interest in historic preservation, describes her training in public history, and talks about organizations related to historic preservation. She also talks about educational opportunities in public history in Oregon. She discusses her thesis on the topic of Methodist missionary architecture; talks about working as Oregon's first park historian; and speaks at length about her work with the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office and the National Register of Historic Places. She describes the process of nominating places for the register and talks about the many sites that she added during her tenure as coordinator of the National Register for the State Historic Preservation Office. She speaks about local preservation ordinances in Oregon and other states. She closes the interview by talking about the future of the register.

This oral history interview with Richard Sundeleaf was conducted by Linda Dodds and Alfred Staehli at Sundeleaf's home in Portland, Oregon, from November 2-23, 1982. The interview was conducted in three sessions.

In the first interview session, conducted on November 2, 1982, Sundeleaf discusses his family background and early life in the Sellwood neighborhood of Portland, including his education, involvement in sports, and early jobs, particularly in sawmills and shipyards. He talks about his experience studying architecture at the Oregon Agricultural College, now Oregon State University, including some of his professors and his involvement in college sports. He describes working as a draftsman for A.E. Doyle and for the architectural firm of Sutton and Whitney. He then talks about starting his own architectural firm and his first jobs designing the swimming pools at the Jantzen Beach Amusement Park and the office building for Jantzen Knitting Mills.

In the second interview session, conducted on November 4, 1982, Sundeleaf continues to discuss designing the swimming pools at Jantzen Beach, while looking at photographs of the amusement park. He talks about other Oregonian architects, architecture-adjacent artisans he worked with, and designing prefabricated houses. He discusses running his own architectural firm, including working with clients, the types of buildings he designed, and his experience during the Depression. He speaks at length about his involvement with the Historic American Buildings Survey.

In the third and final interview session, conducted on November 23, 1982, Sundeleaf continues discussing his involvement with the Historic American Buildings Survey and describing some of the buildings he surveyed. He also talks about the organizational structure of the survey in Oregon. He then revisits the topic of running his own architectural firm and some of the buildings he designed. He shares his thoughts about modern architecture and talks about the buildings in downtown Portland. He closes the interview by discussing designing war housing during World War II.

This oral history interview with Twila M. Alber was conducted by Charles Digregorio on July 5, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Alber discusses studying art late in life after raising a family. She talks about studying sculpting at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, in the early 1950s, and about studying weaving at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. She discusses her artistic process, talks about the difficulty of making art for a living, and closes the interview by briefly talking about teaching art.

This oral history with Gladys L. Randall was conducted by Emily Renfrow in 1980. In this interview, Randall discusses her early life in Portland, Oregon. She talks about her early career as a milliner in Portland, including the training she received as an apprentice. She speaks about working as a milliner in Hollywood, California, during the 1920s and 1930s, and talks about some of the celebrities she made hats for, including Shirley Temple. She then speaks at length about making and selling hats in Portland on the label Olga & Louise with Olga Lanphier, from the 1930s through the 1950s. She discusses the effect of World War II on her business, and talks about changes in the fashionability of wearing hats. She closes the interview by talking about her early interest in millinery, and about making hats for Mae West.

This oral history interview with Eldon E. Bevens was conducted by Linda S. Dodds at the Muir & McDonald Company leather tannery in Dallas, Oregon, on June 20, 1980, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. At the time of the interview, Dodds' name was Linda S. Brody. Bevens' father, Homer Bevens, was also present and contributed to part of the interview.

In this interview, Bevens gives a tour of the Muir & McDonald Company tannery in Dallas, and discusses the tannery business. He describes the machinery in the tannery, talks about the company's natural tanning process, and discusses the history of the tannery. He also talks about some of the ways the tannery's customers use its leather. He shares his memories of living near and working in the tannery during his early life, and of the tannery's previous owners. He closes the interview by talking about his plans for the tannery's future.

The recording ends with a brief interview with Homer Bevens at his home in Dallas. He discusses his experiences working at the Muir & McDonald Company tannery from 1922 to 1977.

This oral history interview with Stanley Bishoprick was conducted by Charles Digregorio on August 17, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Bishoprick briefly discusses his family background and early life in Skagway, Alaska. He speaks at length about his career in the lumber business with Dant & Russell Inc., including a business trip to China during World War II. He discusses developing a railroad tie using cedar waste. He talks about the state of the lumber business at the time of the interview, shares his opinion on the environmental movement, and discusses the international lumber trade.

This oral history interview with Nona E. Colley was conducted by Jim Strassmaier at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, on September 25, 1987. Jan Wells was also present. In this interview, Colley discusses her experience working with Amos Burg as a child and starring in his film about children in England for Encyclopedia Britannica. She talks about her long-term correspondence with Burg. She also discusses her family and life as a child in post-war Britain.

This oral history interview with Evelyn Gibson was conducted by Roberta Watts on November 17, 1977. In this interview, Gibson discusses her early job designing window displays for fashion boutiques and studying to become a singer. She talks about moving to Portland in 1929 and working at department stores, including the Charles F. Berg Company, Meier and Frank, and Nordstrom. She then discusses opening her own boutique in downtown Portland, Evelyn Gibson Gowns. She closes the interview by talking about going on buying trips to New York and about some of her employees.