Ardis Williams Koester was Textiles and Clothing Specialist with the Oregon State University Extension Service from 1974 to 1996 as an Assistant Professor (1974-1979), Associate Professor (1979-1990), and Professor (1990-1996). In this position she provided educational programs in all aspects of textiles and clothing for individuals and families in Oregon and conducted and published applied research. Koester authored numerous Extension Service publications, teaching guides, instructional kits, and audiovisual presentations.
Ardis A. Williams earned a BS in Home Economics Education from Oregon State University in 1961; she taught homemaking in junior and senior high schools in California from 1961 to 1969. She completed an MS (1972) and Ph.D. (1974) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
The Ardis W. Koester Papers consist of reference materials; audiovisual presentations, instructional sewing kits, and slide presentations; and publications and information resources. The reference materials comprise the bulk of the collection and include clippings, fabric samples, newsletters and publications, and corporate product brochures and promotional materials on a myriad of topics pertaining to textiles for interior design; clothing design and construction; clothing maintenance and laundry; and teenagers' clothing purchases. The reference materials also include lecture notes, syllabi, and student papers documenting the Textiles for Interiors course (AIHM 352) taught by Koester as well as resources on cleaning and maintenance assembled by Extension Housing Specialist Mary Ann Sward.
The audiovisual presentations, instructional sewing kits, and slide presentations were developed by Koester for use by Koester and other Extension Service staff. They address a variety of clothing design topics and include
The publication and information resources consist of materials written and prepared by Koester and include Extension Service publications, a 4-H Clothing Project Leader Training Guide, and and an informational kit (with fabric samples) about microfibers and other textile developments.
The collection also includes a detailed curriculum vitae for Koester that lists her professional activities, publications, and presentations.
Collection is open for research.
Ardis W. Koester Papers, Oregon State University Archives, Corvallis, Oregon.
This collection is not fully processed; this guide is preliminary.
The materials were transferred and donated to the Archives in two accessions in 2008.
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