Oral History Interview Helen L. Mitchell

Partial Transcript: Today is March 24th, 1985. My name is Teka Ward. I'm interviewing Helen Lawton Mitchell. We are at 423 Club Lane, Louisville, Kentucky. Our topic is Lou Tate and the Little Loomhouse.

Segment Synopsis: Ward introduces the interview by giving the date, her name, her interviewee's name (Mitchell), their location, and the topic.

Keywords: Helen L. Mitchell; Helen Lawton Mitchell; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; The Little Loomhouse

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

Partial Transcript: As we begin, tell me something about yourself first.

Segment Synopsis: Mitchell describes her relationship with Lou Tate which began because she wrote a story about her for The Courier-Journal. She ended up traveling in Kentucky with Lou Tate some as well. Mitchell gives a physical description of Lou Tate and describes Lou Tate's family.

Keywords: First Lady Hoover; Glasgow, Kentucky; Glasgow, Ky; Lou Henry Hoover; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Mammoth Cave; Mrs. Herbert Hoover; The Courier Journal; The Courier-Journal; The Little Loomhouse; Wood Bousman

Subjects: First ladies; Kentucky—History; Log cabins; Looms; Louisville (Ky.)--History; National parks and reserves; Presidents' spouses; Research; Station wagons; Teaching; Weaving; Weaving--patterns

Partial Transcript: Did she ever talk to you about her college days?

Segment Synopsis: Ward asks Mitchell about whether or not Lou Tate talked about her college days or her days collecting drafts on horseback. Mitchell says she did not talk to her any about that, but that she knows she had a strong network with other weavers. Mitchell then describes the cabins out on Kenwood Hill. She says that all Lou Tate ever talked to her about was weaving.

Keywords: 3rd Street; Horseback; Kenwood Hill; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Mail; The Little Loomhouse; Third Street

Subjects: Kentucky—History; Log cabins; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Reading; Travel with horses; Universities and colleges; Weaving

Partial Transcript: What were you able to figure out about the background of her family?

Segment Synopsis: Mitchell briefly responds to a question about Lou Tate's family. Then she talks about how completely dedicated Lou Tate was to weaving.

Keywords: 3rd Street; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; The Little Loomhouse; Third Street

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

Partial Transcript: Right after we were married, I asked her to dinner...

Segment Synopsis: Mitchell talks about a time that Lou Tate reluctantly agreed to come to dinner at her house. She says that Lou Tate did not often make time for dinner engagements and other social gatherings. She also describes her as "uncommercial," generous, and likable. She says that many people viewed her as odd. She says that Lou Tate did not concern herself with forms of comfort in her home, but that she was very sweet. Mitchell says that she thought Lou Tate was older than she actually was.

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

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