Oral History Interview Betsy Dienes & Ed Dienes

Partial Transcript: Today is March 17th, 1985. My name is Teka Ward. I'm interviewing Betsy and Ed Dienes. We are 2228 Bonnycastle Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky. Our topic is Lou Tate and the Little Loomhouse

Segment Synopsis: Ward introduces the interview by giving the date, her name, her interviewees' names (Betsy and Ed Dienes), their location, and the topic.

Keywords: Betsy Dienes; Bonnycastle Ave.; Bonnycastle Avenue; Ed Dienes; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Louisville, Kentucky; Louisville, Ky; Teka Ward; The Little Loomhouse

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

Partial Transcript: As we begin, first tell me something about each of you all.

Segment Synopsis: Betsy and Ed Dienes share about their educational and professional backgrounds. Mr. Dienes shares how he became involved at The Little Loomhouse after becoming interested in spinning at the St. James Court Art Show. Lou Tate quickly made use of Mr. Dienes' background in chemistry by asking him to help with yarn dyeing at The Little Loomhouse. Mrs. Dienes describes how Ed would assist with children's spinning activities by dyeing their spun strands of yarn. She also explains that their daughter, Leah, was very interested in weaving, which kept them going out to the Loomhouse.

Keywords: Art Education; Betsy Dienes; Ed Dienes; Fine Arts; Highland Branch Library; Kenwood Hill; LFPL; Little Looms; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Louisville Free Public Library; Louisville Main Library; Louisville, Kentucky; Louisville, Ky; St. James Court; St. James Court Art Show; Teka Ward; The Little Loomhouse; University of Louisville; UofL

Subjects: Arts; Chemistry; Dyes and dyeing; Kentucky--History; Librarians; Libraries; Library; Library science; Looms; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Spinning; Universities and colleges; Weaving

Partial Transcript: What did the Loomhouse look like that first day you all went out there?

Segment Synopsis: The Dienes describe the Little Loomhouse. Mr. Dienes goes on to describe the open houses held at the Loomhouse. He helped with several open houses that showcased dyeing. Mrs. Dienes recalls sharing a bottle of scotch with Lou Tate and others following some open houses and listening to Lou Tate talk about history and her goals for the Little Loomhouse. Mr. Dienes shares about Lou Tate's knowledge of the land where the Loomhouse was located. They list some of the people who were regularly involved at events at The Little Loomhouse and how Lou Tate inspired them to be involved.

Keywords: Betsy Dienes; Brother Kim Malloy; Dan Wibbles; Debusman; Diane Wibbles; Ed Dienes; Gelsemeni; Hal Tenny; Kitty Tenny; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Louisville, Kentucky; Louisville, Ky; Martha March; Michael Kirk; Mike Kirk; Open Houses; Potlucks; Russ Conklin; Rustic; Ruth Conklin; Sally Moss; Shakertown; Teka Ward; The Little Loomhouse; Top House

Subjects: Coverlets; Dyes and dyeing; Fossils; Geology; History; Kentucky--History; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Tie dyeing; Tie-dyeing; Weaving

Partial Transcript: Did you teach the other people what you were doing with the dyeing, or did you just do it?

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Dienes describes the process of dyeing wool. He defines mordant and mordanting, as well as talking about how to chemically create various colors. Mrs. Dienes talks about gathering plants on the property to create the colors for dyeing. Mr. Dienes also talks about tie-dyeing at the Little Loomhouse, and how that inspired them to become interested in that process.

Keywords: Betsy Dienes; Bluestone; Copper Sulphate; Copris; Ed Dienes; Iron sulfate; Iron Sulphate; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Louisville, Kentucky; Louisville, Ky; Mordanting; Tannic Acid; Teka Ward; The Little Loomhouse

Subjects: Alum; Chemistry; Copper sulfate; Dye plants; Dyes and dyeing; Ferrous sulfate; Kentucky--History; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Mordants; Plants; Tannins; Tie dyeing; Tie-dyeing; Weaving; Wool; Yarn

Partial Transcript: We have here a 1972 spider page, and your name is mentioned on this. Evidently you made this spider web.

Segment Synopsis: Ward asks some questions about a document she has in hand. This leads to a discussion about Lou Tate's physical appearance. The Dienes say that appearance was not a top priority for Lou Tate. Instead, she was concerned about getting people involved at the Little Loomhouse. Ward asks about the chili suppers and the Dienes talk about those being the only events in which they were invited into the Bottom House, which was seen as Lou Tate's private space.

Keywords: Betsy Dienes; Bottom House; Chili suppers; Ed Dienes; Hal Tenny; Kitty Tenny; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Louisville, Kentucky; Louisville, Ky; Micki Lawson; Mike Kirk; Teka Ward; The Little Loomhouse

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

Partial Transcript: I remember the State Fair...an exhibit that the State Fair had, Lou and the Loomhouse...once put on. I don't recall what year it was, but it was an exhibit that lasted for the entire week.

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Dienes recalls helping at an exhibit showcasing Lou Tate and the Little Loomhouse at the Kentucky State Fair.

Keywords: Betsy Dienes; Ed Dienes; Kentucky State Fair; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Louisville, Kentucky; Louisville, Ky; Martha Henry; Russ Conklin; Ruth Conklin; Teka Ward; The Little Loomhouse

Subjects: Agricultural exhibitions; Cooking; Coverlets; Dyes and dyeing; Kentucky--History; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Sheep-shearing; Spinning; Weaving

Partial Transcript: Now you wanted to say something about the vests you were telling about...

Segment Synopsis: Mrs. Dienes describes some vests that Lou Tate wove for them to thank them for all Mr. Dienes' work with the Little Loomhouse. Ward then ends the interview.

Keywords: Betsy Dienes; Cochenille; Ed Dienes; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Louisville, Kentucky; Louisville, Ky; Teka Ward; The Little Loomhouse

Subjects: Cochineal; Dyes and dyeing; Goldenrods; Kentucky--History; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Weaving