Oral history interview with Lynette K. McGinnis, 1991 January 29
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Interviewee
- McGinnis, Lynette K. (Lynette Kerr), 1894-1993
- Title
- Oral history interview with Lynette K. McGinnis
- Dates
- 1991 January 291991-01-291991-01-29
- Quantity
- .1 cubic feet, (6 audiocassettes (5 hr., 37 min.))
- Collection Number
- SR 801
- Summary
- Oral history interview with Lynette K. McGinnis conducted by Linda Watkins on January 29, 1991. McGinnis talks about her father, William Jasper Kerr, who served as president of Oregon Agricultural College, now Oregon State University, from 1907 to 1932; about other family members; and about her career as a musician and music teacher.
- 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
- Digitization funded by the James F. Miller Endowment.
Biographical Note
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.
Other Descriptive Information
Handwritten index (11 pages) is available for in-person use at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Content Description
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.
Use of the Collection
Alternative Forms Available
Audio available online in OHS Digital Collections.
Preferred Citation
Oral history interview with Lynette K. McGinnis, by Linda Watkins, SR 801, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Restrictions on Use
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/.
Administrative Information
Return to TopDetailed Description of the Collection
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Description: Interview session 1Dates: 1991 January 29Container: Cassette 1
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Description: Interview session 1Dates: 1991 January 29Container: Cassette 2
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Description: Interview session 1Dates: 1991 January 29Container: Cassette 3
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Description: Interview session 1Dates: 1991 January 29Container: Cassette 4
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Description: Interview session 1Dates: 1991 January 29Container: Cassette 5
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Description: Interview session 1Dates: 1991 January 29Container: Cassette 6
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- College administrators--Oregon--Eugene
- Mormon Church
- Music teachers
- Universities and colleges--Oregon--Corvallis
- Universities and colleges--Utah
Personal Names
- Kerr, William Jasper, 1863-1947
- McGinnis, James L. (James Luther), 1894-1967
- McGinnis, Lynette K. (Lynette Kerr), 1894-1993
- Rawlins, Joseph L. (Joseph Lafayette), 1850-1926
Corporate Names
- Brigham Young University
- Oregon Agricultural College
Geographical Names
- Corvallis (Or.)
- Logan (Utah)
Form or Genre Terms
- interviews
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Watkins, Linda (interviewer)
