This oral history interview with Frankie Bell was conducted by Vinita Howard from November 12-30, 1992. In this interview, Bell discusses her family background and early life in Eugene, Oregon. She discusses her education and attending the University of Oregon. She talks about the difficulty of starting a family while still attending college and trying to have a career. She discusses the various part-time jobs she held until she began working at the Capitol building in Salem, Oregon, in 1966 as a tour guide. She talks about working at the information desk at the Oregon Legislature from 1967 to the time of the interview in 1992, including facing sexism on the job. She describes her observations on the Legislature over her two and a half decades there, including on lobbyists, rumors, and inaugural changes. She also talks about the history of the Capitol building, as well as organizing holidays and exhibits at the building; the gift shop; and school tours. She closes the interview by speaking briefly about the personalities of many legislators over the years.
Oregon State Representative Grace Olivier Peck speaks on the House floor in favor of House Bill 1521, a bill requiring that labor camp owners contact health authorities when opening a camp. This image was published in the Valley Migrant League's Opportunity News on May 12, 1967.
Secretary of State Tom McCall meets with students who recently graduated from an adult education class offered by the Valley Migrant League. This visit was part of a field trip the class took to the state capital in Salem, Oregon. This image was published in the Valley Migrant League's Opportunity News on December 31, 1965.
Secretary of State Tom McCall meets with students who recently graduated from an adult education class offered by the Valley Migrant League. The visit was part of a field trip the class took to the state capital in Salem, Oregon. In the background, from left to right, are class officers Juanita Constante (in front of window), Ray Anderson, and Tom Perry. Photographs from this series were published in the Valley Migrant League's Opportunity News on December 31, 1965.
Two high school students from Dayton, Oregon look at the Liberty Bell at the Oregon State Capitol. They are on a field trip organized by the Valley Migrant League and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA). This image was published in the Valley Migrant League's Opportunity News on October 15, 1965.
High school students look up at a statue named "Circuit Rider" on the grounds of the Oregon State Capitol. On the right, one boy points up at the statue. They are on a field trip organized by the Valley Migrant League and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA). Photographs from this series were published in the Valley Migrant League's Opportunity News on October 15, 1965.
High school students from Dayton, Oregon stand on the steps of the Oregon State Capitol building in Salem. They are on a field trip organized by the Valley Migrant League and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA). This image was published in the Valley Migrant League's Opportunity News on October 15, 1965.
High school students from Dayton, Oregon walk on a sidewalk in front of the Oregon State Capitol building in Salem. They are on a field trip organized by the Valley Migrant League and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA). This image was published in the Valley Migrant League's Opportunity News on October 15, 1965.
A high school student from Dayton, Oregon looks at a statue on the grounds of the Oregon State Capitol. Only a small portion of the statue, named the "Circuit Rider," is visible in the image. She is on a field trip organized by the Valley Migrant League and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA). This image was published in the Valley Migrant League's Opportunity News on October 15, 1965.
A group of children and adults stand outside the Oregon State Capitol building in Salem, Oregon. Taken on a summer school field trip organized by the Valley Migrant League for students in Dayton, Oregon. This image was published in the Valley Migrant League's Opportunity News on August 20, 1965.
Negative of a photographic postcard showing an aerial view of the Capitol building and surrounding area in Salem, Oregon. The bottom right corner of the negative is cut off. Handwriting on negative reads, "Aerial of Capitol Bldgs. Salem, Ore. Christian 11-528."
Negative of a photographic postcard showing the interior of the rotunda in the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Oregon. Taken from the ground floor, 2 murals adorn the walls, and a door to the left is marked, "Governor." Handwriting on negative reads, "Rotunda from North side State Capitol Salem, Oregon. Christian S-418." The top right corner of the image is cut off.
Negative of a photographic postcard showing the interior of the senate chamber in the Oregon State Capitol building in Salem. Taken from the balcony in the chamber. Handwriting on negative reads, "Senate Chamber - State Capitol Salem, Ore. Christian S-429."
Negative of a photographic postcard showing the interior of the governor's office in Salem, Oregon. There are a desk and several chairs in the room. A map of Oregon hangs on the wall. Handwriting on negative reads, "Governor's Office - State Capitol Salem, Ore. Christian S-415."
Negative of a photographic postcard showing the rotunda of the Oregon State Capitol building in Salem. Taken from the roof of the building. The Oregon Pioneer statue, built by sculptor Ulric Ellerhusen, sits on top of the rotunda. Handwriting on negative reads, "West Roof State Capitol Salem, Or. Christian S-423."
Half-length portrait of a man facing slightly right. He is wearing glasses, a suit jacket and vest, a collared shirt, a bow tie, and glasses. He is standing in front of a pair of columns, probably at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem. The text “Sen. B. L. Eddy of Roseburg” is written on the negative and is visible on the right side of the image.
Portrait of three men and a woman standing in a row outside the Oregon State Capitol building. The text “M. F. Anderson — John P. Hunt — Elizabeth Glatt — A. D. Goddard” and the number 3 are written on the negative and are visible on the right side of the image. Hunt, Glatt, and Goddard are likely the chief clerk, assistant chief clerk, and reading clerk, respectively, of the Oregon State Senate.
Photograph showing two unidentified men during an oath ceremony in the House chambers at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem. They are standing on either side of a microphone, and each man is raising is right hand.
Full-length portrait of an unidentified man with upraised fists. He is facing to the left and is wearing a suit and tie. He is standing next to a column, probably at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem. Image note: Photograph shows extensive discoloration due to deterioration of the negative.
Portrait of two men standing outside the Oregon State Capitol and facing front. The man on the right has one arm. The following text is written on the negative: “Joe F. Singer Mult.,” visible on the left side of the image, and “W. F. McAdams Salem,” visible on the right side of the image. Singer and McAdams served as the longtime sergeant-at-arms and mailing clerk, respectively, of the Oregon House of Representatives.
Head and shoulders portrait of Oregon state Senator Jay Upton outside the state Capitol. He is facing front and is wearing a suit, tie, and glasses. The number 4 and the text “J. Upton of Bend” are written on the negative and are visible on the right side of the image.
Three-quarters portrait of two men standing side by side outside the Oregon State Capitol. The man on the left is state Senator Jay Upton. Two names are written on the negative: “Jay Upton,” visible on the left side of the image; and “Allen,” visible on the right side of the image.
Portrait of a man wearing a jacket, vest, and a bow tie. The text “Gust Anderson Mult.” and the number 2 are written on the negative and are visible on the right side of the image. Anderson represented Multnomah County in the state house in the 1929 and 1931 legislative sessions. This photograph may have been taken outside the Oregon State Capitol in Salem.
Half-length portrait of A. W. Norblad standing outside the Oregon State Capitol, facing front, and smiling. He is wearing a suit, hat, and tie. He has a cigar in his mouth and is standing with one hand in his jacket pocket. The name “Norblad” is written on the negative and is visible on the right side of the image.
Half-length portrait of Oregon Governor Isaac L. Patterson outside the Oregon State Capitol. He is facing front and is holding a sheaf of papers. The text “Gov. Patterson” is written on the negative and is visible on the right side of the image.
Half-length portrait showing Walter M. Pierce standing on the dais in the House chambers at the Oregon State Capitol. He is facing to the right and is holding a sheaf of papers. The photograph was probably taken from 1923 to 1927, during Pierce’s tenure as governor of Oregon. Image note: Light leaks on negative.
Photograph of Marion County Circuit Court Judge L. H. McMahon (left of microphone with hand raised) administering the governor’s oath of office to Julius L. Meier (right of microphone with hand raised) at the state Capitol on January 12, 1931. Observing are outgoing Governor A. W. Norblad (second man standing to the left of McMahon); William L. Marks, president of the Senate (left of McMahon, standing); Frank J. Lonergan, speaker of the House (right of Meier, standing with hands behind back); and unidentified state officials.
Photograph of Representatives Earl Hill and Jack Caufield sitting next to one another and talking at the opening of the Oregon legislative session on January 14, 1935. A cropped version of this photograph was one of four, including image Nos. 377N0442, 377N0443, and 377N0455, that were published on the Oregon Journal’s January 14 front page. The photographs were published under the headline “Some Prominent Figures at Opening of Legislature.” This photograph had the following caption: “Representative Earl Hill of Cushman, Lane county, who nominated John E. Cooter for speaker, talking with Jack Caufield of Tillamook, chairman of house caucus.” See additional related image Nos. 377N0440 and 377N0448; image No. 377N0449 may also be related. Image note: The number 4 is written on the negative and is visible in the upper left corner of the image.
