Oral history interview with Marion D. Ross

Collection

Identifier: SR 9315

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This oral history interview with Marion D. Ross was conducted by Linda S. Dodds at the University of Oregon in Eugene on August 22, 1980, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library’s oral history program. At the time of the interview, Dodds’ name was Linda S. Brody.

In this interview, Ross briefly discusses his early interest in Baroque architecture, then shares his experiences in the Army during World War II, particularly his training at Army bases in Oregon. He then talks about his career as a professor of architecture at the University of Oregon. He shares his reasons for coming to Oregon, talks about the work of the Historic American Buildings Survey in the state, and discusses the historic preservation of commercial buildings, particularly in Jacksonville and Portland. He also talks about the Northwest Regional style of architecture.

Dates

1980 August 22

Creator

Ross, Marion Dean (Interviewee, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing 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/

Biographical note

Marion Dean Ross was born in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1913. He earned a master’s degree in architecture from Harvard University. He taught architecture at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, before being drafted during World War II. He was sent for training in Oregon, then served in the European theater. After his discharge, he briefly returned to his position at Tulane University. In 1946, he began teaching architecture at Pennsylvania State University, and the next year he began his career as a professor of architecture at University of Oregon. He served as the dean of the School of Architecture and Allied Arts at the university from 1963 until his retirement in 1978. He died in 1991.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 audiocassette (1 hr., 2 min., 9 sec.))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Oral history interview with Marion D. Ross conducted by Linda S. Dodds on August 22, 1980. Ross was a professor of architecture at the University of Oregon from 1947 to 1978.