Oral history interview with Dorothy Knowlton

Collection

Identifier: SR 9458

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This oral history interview with Dorothy Knowlton was conducted by Charles Digregorio at Knowlton’s home in Portland, Oregon, on February 5, 1976, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library’s oral history program.

In this interview, Knowlton discusses her family background and early life in Freeport, Illinois, and shares the reasons why her family later moved to Portland. She also talks about the lives and careers of her siblings. She shares her memories of Armistice Day, then talks about her career as an elementary school teacher in Portland beginning in the 1920s, including the schools she taught at, and how the teaching profession changed. She also talks about teaching on the East Coast for a few years, and compares her experiences there with her experiences in Portland. She also speaks about her brother-in-law, Frederick Strong, and his family background. She closes the interview by talking about her experiences teaching at Catlin Hillside School, which later became Catlin Gabel School.

Dates

1976 February 5

Creator

Knowlton, Dorothy, 1894-1985 (Interviewee, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Joint copyright for this interview is held by the Oregon Historical Society and the estate of Dorothy Knowlton. Use is allowed according to the following statement: In Copyright – Non-Commercial Use Permitted, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-NC/1.0/

Biographical note

Dorothy Knowlton was born in Freeport, Illinois, in 1894. She earned a degree from Smith College, and worked as an elementary school teacher in Portland, Oregon, as well as on the East Coast. She died in 1985.

Sources: Obituary in the Oregonian, January 12, 1985, page 38; information provided by Knowlton in her oral history interview.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 audiotape reel (54 min., 52 sec.))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Oral history interview with Dorothy Knowlton conducted by Charles Digregorio on February 5, 1976. Knowlton discusses her career as an elementary school teacher in Portland, Oregon, beginning in the 1920s.