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Oral history interview with Selma J. Denecke, 1999 March 17-June 23
Overview of the Collection
- Interviewee
- Denecke, Selma J. (Selma Jane), 1919-2009
- Title
- Oral history interview with Selma J. Denecke
- Dates
- 1999 March 17-June 23 (inclusive)1999-03-171999-06-23
- Quantity
- .1 cubic feet, (4 audiocassettes (4 hr., 3 min., 17 sec.) + transcript (84 pages) + 2 photographs (black and white))
- Collection Number
- SR 1261
- Summary
- Oral history interview with Selma J. Denecke conducted by Elizabeth Meyer from March 17 to June 23, 1999, as part of the United States District Court Oral History Project. In the interview, Denecke discusses her interest in art and music, her family life, and the career of her husband, Arno H. Denecke, who served as chief justice of the Oregon Supreme Court.
- Repository
-
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open for research.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- This project is supported in whole or part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon.
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Selma Jane Denecke, nee Rockey, was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1919. She attended Scripps College in Claremont, California. After her graduation in 1941, she returned to Portland and worked at the Portland Art Museum until 1945, when she and Arno H. Denecke were married. They later had five children. She was a volunteer with the Albertina Kerr Center, the Portland Art Museum and the Oregon Historical Society. She died in 2009.
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
Forms part of the United States District Court Oral History Project.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This oral history interview with Selma J. Denecke was conducted by Elizabeth Meyer at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, from March 17 to June 23, 1999. In this interview, Denecke discusses her family background and early life in Portland, Oregon, including her early education and her memories of the Depression. She also talks about her interest in art and music and attending Scripps College in Claremont, California. She talks about working at the Portland Art Museum during World War II. She discusses meeting Arno H. Denecke and their subsequent marriage. Denecke describes Arno Denecke's service in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II, as well as their long-distance courtship. She talks about Arno Denecke's career from professor at the University of Oregon Law School to chief justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. She discusses raising a family, as well as the prenatal and maternity care she received.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
Audio and transcript available online in OHS Digital Collections.
Preferred Citation
Oral history interview with Selma J. Denecke, by Elizabeth Meyer, SR 1261, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Restrictions on Use
Joint copyright is held by the Oregon Historical Society and the U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society. Use is allowed according to the following statement: In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Cassette | ||
| 1-2 | Oral history interview with Selma J. Denecke | 1999 March 17 |
| 3 | Oral history interview with Selma J. Denecke | 1999 May 19-1999 June 23 |
| 4 | Oral history interview with Selma J. Denecke | 1999 June 23 |
| Folder | ||
| SR1261 | Transcript of oral history interview with Selma J. Denecke | 1999 March 17-1999 June 23 |
| SR1261 | Photographs of Selma J. Denecke | circa 1999 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Families--Oregon
Personal Names
- Denecke, Arno H. (Arno Harry), 1916-1993
- Denecke, Selma J. (Selma Jane), 1919-2009
Corporate Names
- Portland Art Museum (Or.)
Form or Genre Terms
- interviews
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Meyer, N. Elizabeth (Nancy Elizabeth) (interviewer)
