View XML QR Code

Oral history interview with Lynette K. McGinnis, 1991 January 29

Overview of the Collection

Interviewee
McGinnis, Lynette K. (Lynette Kerr), 1894-1993
Title
Oral history interview with Lynette K. McGinnis
Dates
1991 January 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.
Return to Top

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.

Return to Top

Other Descriptive Information

Handwritten index (11 pages) is available for in-person use at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Return to Top

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.

Return to Top

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/.

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Description: Interview session 1
    Dates: 1991 January 29
    Container: Cassette 1
  • Description: Interview session 1
    Dates: 1991 January 29
    Container: Cassette 2
  • Description: Interview session 1
    Dates: 1991 January 29
    Container: Cassette 3
  • Description: Interview session 1
    Dates: 1991 January 29
    Container: Cassette 4
  • Description: Interview session 1
    Dates: 1991 January 29
    Container: Cassette 5
  • Description: Interview session 1
    Dates: 1991 January 29
    Container: 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)
Loading...
Loading...