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Only top-level descriptions Watts, Roberta Women-owned business enterprises--Oregon--Portland--20th century
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Oral history interview with Dorothy B. Leach

  • SR 9463
  • Collection
  • 1978-02-23

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.

Leach, Dorothy B. (Dorothy Blanche), 1892-1990

Oral history interview with Evelyn Gibson

  • SR 9255
  • Collection
  • 1977-11-17

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.

Gibson, Evelyn, 1902-1995