This oral history interview with John H. Steelquist was conducted by Deborah M. Frosaker at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, on December 8, 1977, as part of the oral history program at the society's research library.

In this interview, Steelquist discusses the medical work of his maternal great-grandmother, Catherine Davis, and the pharmaceutical career of his maternal grandfather, Melancthon Marshall Davis, in 19th- and 20th-century Oregon. He talks about his early interest in engineering, about his college experience at Stanford University, and about his reasons for pursuing a career in medicine. He closes the interview by discussing his research on Captain James Cook.

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 Howard Newton Magness was conducted by Charles Digregorio at the Magness Farm in Wilsonville, Oregon, on December 21, 1977, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. Edmund Hayes, Dr. Arch W. Diack, John L. Blackwell, Sir James McDonald, Peter McDonald, and Panzy Magness were also present, and often contributed to the interview.

In this interview, Magness discusses the 1977 donation of his 63-acre farm to the Western Forestry Center, now known as the World Forestry Center, for the purposes of an experimental tree farm and education with public access. He talks about his original purchase of the land in 1955, and his reasons for donating it. The group talks about the donation process, and about the Western Forestry Center's plans for the land.

Collection includes: Correspondence, sermons, awards and certificates, files from his activity in the Urban League of Portland and other civil and philanthropic associations, minutes of meetings for Men's Club of St. Philip the Deacon Episcopal Church, missionaries' quarterly reports, etc.

Photographs documenting the career of Rev. Lee Owen Stone, (4/24/1903-3/10/1977), at St. Philips Episcopal Church, 120 N. E. Knott St., Portland. Rev. Stone was Vicar of St. Philips from 1936 until his retirement in 1972. He was active in community agencies and the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon. Rev. Stone was a founder of the Portland Urban League. In addition, he established the St. Philips Church Cooperative (Lee Owen Stone) Preschool. Rev. Stone was Portland's first black Episcopal priest, and hist first wife, Leota A. Stone, was one of Portland's first black public school teachers.

This oral history interview with Gertrude Glutsch Jensen was conducted by Roberta Watts at Jensen's home in Portland, Oregon, from December 7, 1977, to January 17, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. The interview was conducted in two sessions. A transcript is available.

In the first interview session, conducted on December 7, 1977, Jensen discusses her family background and early life in South Portland, her career as a freelance reporter for the Oregonian and Oregon Journal newspapers, and her career as a real estate agent. She then speaks at length about her involvement in the preservation of the Columbia River Gorge. She describes how she became interested in nature conservation; talks about her efforts to advocate for the Wyam people and to save Celilo Falls; and speaks about the restoration of the Vista House on Crown Point. She also talks about working with John Yeon on conservation of the Gorge. She closes the session by revisiting the topic of her family background and early life in South Portland.

In the second interview session, conducted on January 17, 1978, Jensen continues to speak at length about her family background and early life in South Portland. She talks about her participation in a protest march against the Vietnam War and closes the interview by revisiting the topic of her career as a freelance journalist.

This oral history interview with Edris Morrison was conducted by Roberta Watts at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, on January 18, 1978, as part of the oral history program at the society's research library.

In this interview, Morrison discusses her early life in Portland and describes how she became involved in theater. She speaks at length about the history of theater in Portland from the late 19th century to the establishment of the Portland Civic Theatre in the 1920s. She then discusses her involvement with the Portland Civic Theatre, talks about the decline in the popularity of live theater over the 20th century, and shares her thoughts on the taste of audiences at the time of the interview. She closes the interview by talking about the theater's building.

This oral history interview with John F. Gange was conducted by Roberta Watts in Eugene, Oregon, on January 27, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Gange discusses his family background, including his grandfather's experiences in the Union Army during the Civil War, and his early life on an orange farm in Lindsay, California. He talks about his reasons for attending Stanford University instead of West Point. He discusses a trip he took to the Dominican Republic during World War II, and describes the country's politics during the war. He speaks about his involvement in the writing of the United Nations charter during the 1945 San Francisco conference. He then gives a brief overview of his career in international relations, particularly his work in Southeast Asia.

This oral history interview with Cecil L. Edwards was conducted by Charles Digregorio in Edwards' office in the Capitol Building in Salem, Oregon, on January 31, 1978. Roberta Watts was also present. In this interview, Edwards discusses his career as secretary and law clerk in the Oregon Legislature. He describes the changes in the Legislature during his career; his opinion on capital punishment; the 1935 fire that destroyed the Capitol building, and the construction of the new building. He discusses working as secretary for Otto Paulus, Governor Charles Sprague, and Richard Neuberger, as well as being fired by Governor Mark Hatfield. He also talks about legislation he had some hand in, including retirement benefits for legislative staff. He talks about the difficulty of recordkeeping when more and more legislative business is conducted via telephone. He also discusses the history of deficit spending and budgeting in Oregon. He closes the interview by talking about his staff.

This oral history interview with Allen T. Gribble was conducted by Roberta Watts in Silverton, Oregon, on February 13, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Gribble discusses his family background, including his ancestors' overland journeys to Oregon. He talks about his early life in Silverton, Oregon, including his education and life on the family homestead. He also shares his experiences working in Alaska in 1909, and talks about living in Portland from 1910 to 1946, including the jobs he held and his marriage to Gladys E. Hartell. He also shares his experiences in the Oregon National Guard and later in the U.S. Marines during World War I, and talks about working as a cowboy in Eastern Oregon before 1910.

This oral history interview with Dorothy B. Leach was conducted by Roberta Watts at Leach's home in Portland, Oregon, on February 23, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. The sound quality is very poor.

In this interview, Leach discusses the neighborhood in Northwest Portland where she has lived since 1924; talks about her early life in London, England, including her father's career as a sea captain; and shares her memories of operating a sailor's club in Portland during World War II. She talks about her reasons for leaving England, describes some of her travels in the early 20th century, and discusses at length her career as a dressmaker and sewing teacher in Portland. She also describes houses she lived in.

This oral history interview with Benjamin W. Hill was conducted by Roberta Watts in Portland, Oregon, on February 27, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Hill discusses his family background and early life in Portland, including his education at Bishop Scott Academy and at the Hill Military Academy, which was founded by his father, Joseph Wood Hill. He talks about working for logging companies in Washington and Oregon, then describes how he became headmaster of the Hill Military Academy in 1922. He speaks about the operations and administration of the academy, about its different locations, and about its curriculum. He also discusses his experiences at Yale University from 1909 to 1912. He closes the interview by speaking further about his early life in Portland.

This oral history interview with Forrest E. Balliet was conducted by Roberta Watts in Portland, Oregon, on March 2, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. An unidentified woman was also present.

In this interview, Balliet discusses his family background and early life with his grandmother near Talent, Oregon, and in Ashland, Oregon. He describes his work history in Montana, Missouri, Washington, Utah, Oregon, and California, including sheep ranching, mule driving, and seasonal farm work. He discusses living in rooming houses in downtown Portland and describes the city in the late 1910s, and also talks about staying in shelters run by the Salvation Army. He shares his experiences in the U.S. Army in France during World War I.

This oral history interview with Jeanne M. Radow was conducted by Roberta Watts at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, on March 15, 1978. In this interview, Radow discusses her involvement with Planned Parenthood and describes the services the clinic provides and its organizational structure. She talks about the opposition Planned Parenthood faces due to its abortion and birth control services, and discusses laws regarding reproductive rights that had recently passed in Oregon at the time of the interview in 1978. She speaks at length about the early years of Planned Parenthood in Portland. She describes the methods of birth control available at the time of the interview in 1978, as well as opposition towards sex education in schools. She then talks about her early life in New York, New York; discusses her service in the Army Nurse Corps in the Philippines at the end of World War II; and talks about working as a nurse for Planned Parenthood around the United States. She closes the interview by returning to the topic of her involvement in the Planned Parenthood clinic in Portland and the services the clinic provides.

This oral history interview with Margaret Biddle Parker was conducted by Charles Digregorio and Terence O'Donnell in Portland, Oregon, on March 28, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Parker looks at and describes photographs of her mother, Margaret Burrell Biddle, and talks about her mother's life. She talks about their relationship, about their travels, and about her mother's talent for gardening. She describes the places her mother lived after her divorce in 1925, talks about her mother's antisemitism, and discusses her mother's recreational activities.

This oral history interview with Dr. Jessie Laird Brodie was conducted by Roberta Watts from February 14 to March 30, 1978. The interview was conducted in two sessions.

In the first interview session, conducted on February 14, 1978, Brodie discusses the history of laws regarding birth control and the beginnings of Planned Parenthood in Oregon. She talks about her reasons for going into the medical field, her medical education, and her later focus on providing birth control. She also discusses sex education in schools. She talks about her involvement with the United Nations and the Pan-American Women's Medical Association, including her work with family planning programs in Central and South America.

In the second interview session, conducted on March 30, 1978, Brodie discusses her research into how the birth control pill interacts with sickle-cell anemia. She talks about the success of international family planning programs, as well as opposition they face in some countries. She also discusses the career of her husband, Dr. Francis Walter Brodie. She closes the interview by revisiting the topic of her involvement with the World Health Organization and the Pan-American Women's Medical Association, including her work with family planning programs in Central and South America.

This oral history interview with Elmer R. Goudy was conducted by Charles Digregorio in Portland, Oregon, on April 5, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Goudy describes how he came to serve as an administrator for the Oregon Welfare Commission in 1932, talks about his work in that role, and shares his thoughts about the effectiveness of work relief programs. He shares his reasons for changing careers in 1942 to work for the Collins Pine Company. He talks about his work for the company, discusses the growth of the company, and describes its investments in the communities where its employees live. He closes the interview by talking about his brother-in-law, Truman W. Collins, the company's former president.

This oral history interview with Jesalee Fosterling was conducted by Roberta Watts in Portland, Oregon, on April 11, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Fosterling discusses her early involvement with the Portland chapter of Planned Parenthood. She talks about funding the clinic, discusses Oregon's birth control laws, and describes opposition to the work of Planned Parenthood. She talks about the daily operations of Planned Parenthood, about the types of birth control and other services the organization provides, and about its staff. She closes the interview by discussing the future of birth control.

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 Elizabeth C. Ducey was conducted by Roberta Watts in Portland, Oregon, on April 24, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Ducey discusses her family background and early life in San Francisco, California, and Portland, Oregon, including her education. She speaks about her involvement with the Junior League of Portland. She talks about her work with the Oregon Roadside Council to lobby the Oregon Legislature regarding billboards, and speaks at length about the political career of U.S. Senator Richard L. Neuberger. She closes the interview by discussing a trip she took to Iran.

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 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 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 Lynne E. Scott was conducted by an unidentified woman in May 1978. In this interview, Scott shares her memories of life in Brownsville, Oregon, from 1900 to 1909. She talks about her education and her recreational activities. She describes the houses her family lived in, and downtown Brownsville. She talks about her marriage to David Sterling and about their life in Cottage Grove. She also speaks about her family's journey from Nebraska to Oregon in 1898.

This oral history interview with Jane M. Armentrout was conducted by Roberta Watts on June 5, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Armentrout discusses her family background, and talks about the life and career of her father, Dr. Harold Bunce Myers. She talks about his early life, about his education, and about her parents' marriage. She describes how her parents came to Oregon in 1914, and speaks at length about Harold Bunce Myers' career as a professor at the University of Oregon Medical School, now Oregon Health & Science University. She also talks about some of her father's students. She describes her interest in studying science, shares her experience of being discouraged from applying to medical school because of her gender, and talks about jobs she held before starting a family. She closes the interview by talking about her father's personality and by sharing memories of her early life with her parents.

This oral history interview with Sister John Mary Lane was conducted by Roberta Watts at Marylhurst University in Marylhurst, Oregon, from April 17 to June 6, 1978. Norma Peters was also present. The interview was conducted in two sessions.

In the first interview session, conducted on April 17, 1978, Lane discusses her family background and early life in Spokane, Washington, including her early influences and her education. She then talks about her involvement with the Sisters of the Holy Names and about why she chose to become a nun, and describes her spiritual philosophy. She discusses the ways in which the Catholic Church has become more progressive; describes life in a convent; and talks about the role of women in the church.

In the second interview session, conducted on June 6, 1978, Lane revisits the topic of her family background and early life in Spokane, Washington. She also revisits the topic of her involvement with the Sisters of the Holy Names and why she chose to become a nun. She talks about the reasons that fewer women were joining convents at the time of the interview in 1978. She then revisits the topic of life in a convent. She talks about her career as a professor, particularly at Marylhurst University, and discusses stereotypes about nuns. She closes the interview by talking about her plans for the future.

This oral history interview with Herbert E. Yates was conducted by Roberta Watts on June 7, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Yates speaks at length about the life and career of Parker Farnsworth Morey, and about the history of the Glenmorrie neighborhood of Lake Oswego, Oregon. He looks at Morey family photographs and letters, and talks about them. He then talks about the life and career of his uncle, Frederick Parker Morey, and his aunt, Josephine Alberta Morey (nee Yates). He describes the development of Glenmorrie in the early 20th century, including the creation of the water utility company, the Glenmorrie Cooperative Association. He closes the interview by talking about his service as president of the association.

This oral history interview with Patty J. Jacobsen was conducted by Roberta Watts in Portland, Oregon, on June 28, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society's oral history program. In this interview, Jacobsen discusses the reasons for the recent failure of a ballot measure to create a levy to fund Portland parks and neighborhood associations. She speaks about her involvement with the Community Care Package Committee campaign, which worked to pass the levy, and talks about finding alternative funding sources. She also speaks about the rise of anti-tax sentiment at the time of the interview. She describes her role as director of the Office of Neighborhood Associations. She closes the interview by talking about the importance of neighborhood associations, and about how she became involved in them.