Oral History Interview Dorothy Heimerdinger & Roy Heimerdinger

Partial Transcript: Today is March 27th, 1985. My name is Teka Ward. I'm interviewing Dorothy and Roy Heimerdinger. We are at 938 Hess 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 interviewees' names (Dorothy and Roy Heimerdinger), their location, and the topic.

Keywords: Dorothy Heimerdinger; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Roy Heimerdinger; The Little Loomhouse

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

Partial Transcript: Tell me a little something about yourself.

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Heimerdinger briefly describes his career background as a woodworker. He explains that he met Lou Tate through Sam and Sue Kendrick and offered to make her looms, which he did off and on throughout the years. He also describes the cabins and some of the projects that Lou Tate worked on, and some of the other projects he helped Lou Tate with over the years.

Keywords: Anderson Woodworking; Gamble Brothers; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Pipe organs; Sam Kendrick; Sue Kendrick; The Great Depression; The Little Loomhouse; Top House

Subjects: Cancer; Depressions; Kentucky—History; Looms; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Nursing homes; Organ (Musical instrument); Weaving; Woodwork

Partial Transcript: She held classes all the time for school children...

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Heimerdinger talks about how dedicated Lou Tate was to teaching weaving -- he mentions that she taught at the cabins, at Fort Knox, at the University of Louisville, and at Ursuline College. Ward asks Mr. Heimerdinger about the looms that he made for Lou Tate. He describes what the looms were made of and how he made some improvements to the design of the looms. He also talks about introducing Lou Tate to suppliers for materials to build the looms.

Keywords: Anderson Wood Products; Fort Knox; Ft. Knox; Gamble Brothers; Heddles; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; The Little Loomhouse; Treadles; University of Louisville; UofL; Ursuline College; White Maple

Subjects: Benches; Children; Kentucky—History; Looms; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Maple; Pedal-powered mechanisms; Tables; Teaching; Universities and colleges; Weaving

Partial Transcript: Roy Heimerdinger: Well go ahead and say whatever you want me to say.
Dorothy Heimerdinger: Well one of the nicest things we had at the Loomhouse from time to time would be a party.

Segment Synopsis: Mrs. Heimerdinger talks about the parties that Lou Tate would host at The Little Loomhouse sometimes. Mr. Heimerdinger chimes in to describe what the parties were like and the types of people who would attend them. Ward asks about the open houses specifically, and the Heimerdingers describe those.

Keywords: Kids; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Native American Indians; Open houses; Pink lemonade; Stories; The Little Loomhouse; Top House

Subjects: Birthday parties; Children; Christmas; Erosion; Holidays; Indians of North America; Kentucky—History; Lemonade; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Parties; Weaving

Partial Transcript: I understand that she had contacts with Indians.

Segment Synopsis: The Heimerdingers talk about some of Lou Tate's travels -- to visit (and live with) the Seminole tribe in Florida, and to Cape Breton in Canada. They describe talking to one of Lou Tate's contacts in Cape Breton when they visited Canada, and their last visit with Lou Tate before they went on that trip. Mrs. Heimerdinger talks about a glass vase that Lou Tate gave her on their last visit, and Mr. Heimerdinger talks about a gun that Lou Tate gave him.

Keywords: .22 rifles; Canada; Cape Breton; Florida; Guns; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Native American Indians; Seminoles; The Little Loomhouse; Vases

Subjects: Firearms; Indians of North America; Kentucky—History; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Seminole Indians; Travel; Vases; Weaving

Partial Transcript: Mr. Heimerdinger did build the last 125 looms that were made for the Lou Tate Foundation Incorporated.

Segment Synopsis: Ward closes this interview by acknowledging that Mr. Heimerdinger built 125 looms for the Lou Tate Foundation Incorporated. The interview ends at 24:50 -- the rest of this recording is silence.

Keywords: Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Lou Tate Foundation Inc.; Lou Tate Foundation Incorporated; Louisa Tate Bousman; The Little Loomhouse

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