Oral History Interview Philip Dunnagan

Partial Transcript: Today is June 30th, 1984. My name is Teka Ward. I'm interviewing Philip Dunnagan. Our topic is Lou Tate, and we are at the Little Loomhouse in Kenwood Hill, Louisville, Kentucky.

Segment Synopsis: Teka Ward introduces the interview with Philip Dunnagan about Lou Tate and the Little Loomhouse.

Keywords: Kenwood Hill; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Louisville, Kentucky; Louisville, Ky; Philip Dunnagan; Teka Ward; The Little Loomhouse

Subjects: Kentucky--History; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Weaving

Partial Transcript: As we begin Philip...tell me first about you.

Segment Synopsis: Philip Dunnagan shares some about his personal background and his relationship with Lou Tate. He works as the Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Civil Division. He first met Lou Tate in the 2nd grade and recalls working on a weaving project using a piece of cardboard as a loom. Dunnagan also recalls his family's friendship with the Tenny family, who lived near Lou Tate. Dunnagan's mother eventually moved near Lou Tate and the Little Loomhouse as well. Dunnagan also describes a letter that his mother received from Lou Tate inviting him to continue his weaving training at the Little Loomhouse.

Keywords: Coon Trail; District attorneys; Earl Ave.; Earl Avenue; Fort Knox; Fort Knox, Kentucky; Fort Knox, Ky; Hal Tenny; Hill House; International clubs; Kenwood Hill; Kitty Tenny; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Louisville, Kentucky; Louisville, Ky; Orchard Hill Dr.; Orchard Hill Drive; Phil Dunnagan; Philip Dunnagan; Possum Path; South 1st St.; South 1st Street; South First St.; South First Street; The Courier-Journal; The Little Loomhouse; Top House

Subjects: Belts (Clothing); Coasters (Trays); Correspondence; Kentucky--History; Letters; Looms; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Place mats; Public prosecutors; Runners (Household linens); United Nations associations; Weaving

Partial Transcript: In fact, this is one of the things I wanted to mention.

Segment Synopsis: Dunnagan describes a typical Saturday spent at The Little Loomhouse. He describes piling in the back of Lou Tate's station wagon with her dog Skipper and riding down for a treat at Haywood Dairy. He talks about Lou Tate's teaching techniques and the respect she gave her young students, as well as the expectations she had for them. He tells a story about a fight he got into with Ellen Tenny, and the way Lou Tate handled the situation. Dunnagan also explains that Lou was a storyteller who used history and heritage as the basis for many of her stories.

Keywords: Buffalo; Crafts; Debbie DeLong; Devil's Backbone; Ellen Tenny; Ford; Haywood Dairy; Haywood's Dairy; Heritage; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Mickey Hollis; Missy LeDant; Stories; Taylor Blvd.; Taylor Boulevard; The Little Loomhouse; Top House

Subjects: American bison; Coverlets; Cultural property; Handicraft; Indians of North America; Kentucky--History; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Station wagons; Storytellers; Teaching; Weaving; Weaving--patterns

Partial Transcript: Looking back, do you think that she related especially well to children...as compared with adults?

Segment Synopsis: Dunnagan further explains that Lou Tate treated children as equals to adults. He describes Lou Tate's struggles with developers near her property, and the irresponsible development that occurred on Kenwood Hill. Dunnagan felt that the struggle concerning Lou Tate's land occupied more of her time and energy as she became older. Dunnagan shares information from a letter that references land lawsuits and the designation of the cabins on the National Register of Historic Places.

Keywords: Hal Tenny; Kenwood Hill; Kitty Tenny; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Maury Weedman; National Register of Historic Places; The Little Loomhouse; Top House

Subjects: Coverlets; Housing developers; Indians of North America; Kentucky--History; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Preservation; Real estate developers; Storytellers; Weaving

Partial Transcript: Tell me more about Skipper, the dog.

Segment Synopsis: Dunnagan fondly recalls Lou Tate's dog, Skipper. He describes Skipper's tricks and his love for ice cream. He also shares that he buried Skipper for Lou after he passed away.

Keywords: Bottom House; Chevy; Esta House; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman

Subjects: Chevrolet automobile; Cocker spaniels; Dogs; Kentucky--History; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Weaving

Partial Transcript: We have a picture of you here as a little boy, weaving, next to a piece you wove.

Segment Synopsis: Dunnagan describes a photograph of himself that is present at the interview. He explains how he often played around the cabins in his lederhosen because they could take all the wear and dirt. He also talks about a weaving piece present at the interview, and the way Lou Tate taught her students to sign their pieces by attaching a tag.

Keywords: Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Possum Path

Subjects: Kentucky--History; Lederhosen; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Photographs; Play; Weaving

Partial Transcript: This is the beginning of side two, interview one, with Philip Dunnagan.

Segment Synopsis: Dunnagan returns to talking about Lou Tate's teaching style. He explains that Lou Tate was strict when it came to her students' behavior, but allowed her students to have a lot of freedom when it came to creativity. He walks through the process of weaving with Lou Tate at the Little Loomhouse.

Keywords: Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Philip Dunnagan; The Little Loomhouse; Top House

Subjects: Colors; Kentucky--History; Looms; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Teaching; Weaving; Yarn

Partial Transcript: As you said earlier, she also became a family friend.

Segment Synopsis: Dunnagan describes his love for Lou and his family's friendship with her. He describes her as an equally strong and passionate person when it came to fighting for her land, and a loving person when it came to her students and friends. He explains the closeness of the neighborhood, specifically with Lou Tate and the Tenny family. He specifically recalls sledding parties on Kenwood Hill. He also describes how Lou was approached about integrating her weaving program with the public school system, but how she would not compromise due to the potential loss of the identity of the Little Loomhouse.

Keywords: Carol Rd.; Carol Road; Carolyn Rd.; Carolyn Road; Coon Trail; Ellen Tenny; Esplanade Ave.; Esplanade Avenue; Hal Tenny; JCPS; Jefferson County Public Schools; Kenwood Hill Rd.; Kenwood Hill Road; Kenwood Rd.; Kenwood Road; Kitty Tenny; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Possum Path; The Little Loomhouse

Subjects: Family; Kentucky--History; Letters; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Love; Public schools; Sledding; Snow; Teaching; Weaving

Partial Transcript: Okay, in another vein, something I thought of was that, I don't know, I guess the ambiance...a story, or an event that came to mind was that in the winter months...

Segment Synopsis: Dunnagan describes the ambiance of weaving in the cabins during the winter months. In order to stay warm, you had to crowd around the wood stoves. He also credits Lou Tate with encouraging his love for reading. She specifically introduced him to The Hobbit. He recalls an evening gathering where he spent the whole evening reading, at the encouragement of Lou Tate. Dunnagan also describes some gifts he received from Lou Tate. She gave him a .38 Smith and Wesson that he had admired at her house that had a backstory in Lou Tate's family. Though Lou Tate could not attend Dunnagan's wedding, she gave he and his wife a partial set of Limoges china as a wedding gift.

Keywords: Bottom House; Ellen Tenny; Frederica Dunnagan; Hal Tenny; Kitty Tenny; Limoges china; Lord of the Rings; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Serapis; The Hobbit; Top House

Subjects: Books; Fireplaces; Gifts; Kentucky--History; Looms; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Porcelain; Railroads; Reading; Smith and Wesson firearms; Stoves; Weapons; Weaving; Weddings; Yarn

Partial Transcript: What are you going to remember most about Lou Tate?

Segment Synopsis: Dunnagan describes the characteristics that he will remember most about Lou Tate. He focuses on her principles. Dunnagan says that Lou Tate took a stand about what she believed in -- she decided what was important to her, and spent the rest of her life living that decision.

Keywords: Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; The Little Loomhouse

Subjects: Kentucky--History; Laughter; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Love; Principle (Philosophy); Values; Weaving