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Oral history interview with Benjamin W. Hill

  • SR 9557
  • Collection
  • 1978-02-27

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.

Hill, Benjamin W. (Benjamin Wood), 1890-1981

Oral history interview with Edris Morrison

  • SR 9539
  • Collection
  • 1978-01-18

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.

Morrison, Edris, 1903-1997

Oral history interview with Herbert E. Yates

  • SR 9670
  • Collection
  • 1978-06-07

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.

Yates, Herbert E. (Herbert Edward), 1930-2006

Oral history interview with Allen T. Gribble

  • SR 9669
  • Collection
  • 1978-02-13

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.

Gribble, Allen T. (Allen Thurman), 1887-1982

Oral history interview with Claire Argow

  • SR 9090
  • Collection
  • 1977-11-28 - 1977-12-02

This oral history interview with Claire Argow was conducted by Roberta Watts at Argow's home in Portland, Oregon, from November 28 to December 2, 1977. The interview was conducted in two sessions.

In the first interview session, conducted on November 28, 1977, Argow discusses her education and career in social work and criminology in New England, including her college experiences at Vassar and at Yale Law School, her work as assistant director for the Survey of Connecticut Prisons, and her work with the National Society for the Prevention of Crime in New York City. She talks about her views on capital punishment and about working with prisoners who were executed. She discusses her work with the Oregon Prison Association, and talks about prison conditions when she started in 1945, her successes in prison reforms, and opposition she faced.

In the second interview session, conducted on December 2, 1977, Argow talks about moving to Oregon in 1945 and shares her early impressions of the state, particularly regarding racism in Oregon. She discusses her work with Oregon Literacy, which helps adults learn to read and write, as well as learn English as a second language. She talks about her involvement in the creation of the Claire Argow Center, also known as the Multnomah County Women's Jail. She discusses the rising crime rate at the time of the interview in 1977, particularly among women. She closes the interview by speaking about her belief in restorative justice rather than only punitive approaches.

Argow, Claire Angevin, 1903-1997

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 Mary P. Hamblet

  • SR 9445
  • Collection
  • 1977-11-25

This oral history interview with Mary P. Hamblet was conducted by Roberta Watts at Hamblet's home in Portland, Oregon, on November 25, 1977, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Hamblet discusses her family background and early life in Portland, Oregon. She talks about owning an antiques business, describes purchasing antiques to resell, and about appraising antiques and estates. She talks about scouting houses for parties, about the education and career of her brother, and about her friendship with chef James Beard. She discusses her favorite restaurants, talks about her love of visiting Ireland, and describes how Portland changed over the 20th century.

Hamblet, Mary P. (Mary Patricia), 1909-1999

Oral history interview with John F. Gange

  • SR 9440
  • Collection
  • 1978-01-27

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.

Gange, John F. (John Frederic), 1910-1991

Oral history interview with Elizabeth C. Ducey

  • SR 9429
  • Collection
  • 1978-04-24

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.

Ducey, Elizabeth C. (Elizabeth Carney), 1897-1991

Oral history interview with Gertrude Glutsch Jensen

  • SR 9452
  • Collection
  • 1977-12-07 - 1978-01-17

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.

Jensen, Gertrude Glutsch, 1903-1986

Oral history interview with Forrest E. Balliet

  • SR 9406
  • Collection
  • 1978-03-02

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.

Balliet, Forrest E. (Forrest Earl), 1886-1986

Oral history interview with Dorothea M. Lensch

  • SR 9346
  • Collection
  • 1977-12-05 - 1977-12-16

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.

Lensch, Dorothea M. (Dorothea Marie), 1907-2000

Oral history interview with Jesalee Fosterling

  • SR 9028
  • Collection
  • 1978-04-11

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.

Fosterling, Jesalee K. (Jesalee Keffeler), 1930-2006

Oral history interview with Reverend Clarence T. Abbott

  • SR 9015
  • Collection
  • 1978-07-06

This oral history interview with Reverend Clarence T. Abbott was conducted by Roberta Watts at the William Temple House in Portland, Oregon, on July 6, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Abbott discusses his family background and early life in Alameda, California. He shares his reasons for entering the Episcopalian priesthood and serving in the Chaplain Corps during World War II, talks about his experiences at divinity school in Denver, Colorado, and discusses his early parish work in California and Oregon. He speaks at length about his work as a priest and mental health counselor at William Temple House.

Abbott, Clarence T. (Clarence Thomas), Reverend, 1921-1990

Oral history interview with Sister Mary Emerentia

  • SR 9011
  • Collection
  • 1979-06-29

This oral history interview with Sister Mary Emerentia was conducted by Roberta Watts at the Marylhurst Education Center in Portland, Oregon, on June 29, 1979, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Sister Mary Emerentia discusses her life as a Catholic nun with the Sisters of the Holy Names in Portland, Oregon. She shares her reasons for becoming a nun, and speaks at length about playing and teaching the harp. She talks briefly about the history of Marylhurst College, and closes the interview by discussing her fellow teachers.

Mary Emerentia, Sister, 1897-1996

Oral history interview with Patty J. Jacobsen

  • SR 9068
  • Collection
  • 1978-06-28

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.

Jacobsen, Patty J. (Patty Jean), 1936-

Oral history interview with Harold W. Bernard

  • SR 9009
  • Collection
  • 1977-12-01

This oral history interview with Harold W. Bernard was conducted by Roberta Watts at Bernard's home in Cedar Mills, Oregon, on December 1, 1977, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Bernard discusses his career as a psychology professor and an author. He talks about some of the psychology textbooks he wrote. He shares his thoughts about the use of drugs in psychological treatment, medicine, and recreation; talks about the relationship between the women's movement and the rise in divorce rates in the 1970s; and describes the changes in psychiatric treatment and diagnosis over the 20th century. He also speaks about popular anxieties about overpopulation, talks about the importance of higher education, and shares his thoughts about public school teachers. He closes the interview by discussing his retirement activities.

Bernard, Harold W. (Harold Wright), 1908-1998

Oral history interview with Jessie Laird Brodie

  • SR 9027
  • Collection
  • 1978-02-14 - 1978-03-30

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.

Brodie, Jessie Laird, 1898-1990

Oral history interview with Sister John Mary Lane

  • SR 9012
  • Collection
  • 1978-04-17 - 1978-06-06

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.

Lane, John Mary, Sister, 1903-2000

Oral history interview with Art Bimrose

  • SR 9320
  • Collection
  • 1977-11-29

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.

Bimrose, Art, 1912-

Oral history interview with David R. Policar

  • SR 9026
  • Collection
  • 1977-11-21

This oral history interview with David R. Policar was conducted by Roberta Watts at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, on November 21, 1977. In this interview, Policar discusses his family background and early life in Portland, including a brief history of the Sephardic Jewish people and his family's involvement in fish markets. He speaks at length about the Sephardic Jewish community in Portland. He closes the interview by talking about his activities at the time of the interview in 1977, particularly working at the Liberty Fish Market in Portland.

Policar, David R. (David Rafael), 1912-1988

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

Oral history interview with Jeanne M. Radow

  • SR 9029
  • Collection
  • 1978-03-15

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.

Radow, Jeanne M. (Jeanne Michaels), 1921-2013