![Oral history interview with Lynette K. McGinnis [Sound Recording 01]](/images/generic-icons/audio.png){kind=icon}
Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
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Collection
Title
Oral history interview with Lynette K. McGinnis
Date(s)
- 1991-01-29 (Creation)
Extent
.1 cubic feet; 6 audiocassettes (5 hr., 37 min.)
Name of creator
Biographical history
Lynette Kerr McGinnis, nee Lynette Kerr, was born in Logan, Utah, in 1894. Her father, William Jasper Kerr, served as president of Brigham Young University. In 1907, the family moved to Corvallis, Oregon, where William Jasper Kerr served as president of Oregon Agricultural College, now Oregon State University. In 1913, Lynette Kerr studied at the Wilson-Greene School of Music in Washington, D.C. After World War I was declared, she returned to Corvallis. In 1917, she and James Luther McGinnis were married; they later had one child. The McGinnis family lived in Reno, Nevada, for several years during the 1920s. During the Depression, the family lived in Spokane, Washington. The McGinnis family also lived in Indianapolis, Indiana. She taught music at various schools. She died in 1993.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
This oral history interview with Lynette K. McGinnis was conducted by Linda Watkins on January 29, 1991. In this interview, McGinnis discusses her family background and early life in Utah, particularly the life history of her father, William Jasper Kerr. She talks about Kerr's time as president of Brigham Young College, now Brigham Young University; the family's involvement with the Mormon Church; and her memories of her father's uncle, Utah Senator Joseph Lafayette Rawlins. She discusses her social life and her family life, and describes the town of Logan, Utah. She speaks about leaving the Mormon Church.
McGinnis discusses moving to Corvallis, Oregon, in 1907, where her father, William Jasper Kerr, served as president of the Oregon Agricultural College, now Oregon State University. She describes their house, her education, and her social life. She also talks about her pet dog. She speaks about William Jasper Kerr's career and Oregon Agricultural College campus life. She discusses studying at the Wilson-Greene School of Music in Washington, D.C. in 1913. She then talks about James Luther McGinnis, their marriage, and his family. She discusses living in Reno, Nevada, during the 1920s, and in Spokane, Washington, during the Depression. She also talks about teaching music. She revisits the topic of William Jasper Kerr's service as president of Oregon Agricultural College. She talks about her son, his career, and his family. She reflects on how the world and technology have changed during her lifetime; talks about her travels; and speaks about her grandchildren. She discusses her career as a musician and music teacher, her Christian faith, and her hopes for the future. She also talks more about her travels. She closes the interview by discussing her memories of her family.
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Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
Copyright for this interview is held by the Oregon Historical Society. Use is allowed according to the following statement: Creative Commons - BY-NC-SA, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/.
Physical access
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Conditions governing reproduction
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
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Finding aids
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Notes element
General note
Preferred citation: Oral history interview with Lynette K. McGinnis, by Linda Watkins, SR 801, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
General note
Handwritten index (11 pages) is available for in-person use at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard), 2nd Edition.
Sources used
Archivist's note
Sarah Stroman
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Watkins, Linda (Contributor)
- Brigham Young University (Subject)
- Oregon Agricultural College (Subject)
- Kerr, William Jasper, 1863-1947 (Subject)
- McGinnis, James L. (James Luther), 1894-1967 (Subject)
- Rawlins, Joseph L. (Joseph Lafayette), 1850-1926 (Subject)