Oral History Interview Amelia Ann Debusman & Melanie Debusman

Partial Transcript: Today is April 1st, 1985. My name is Teka Ward. I am at 2934 Grinstead Drive, Louisville, Kentucky. I'm interviewing Amelia Debusman, Melanie Debusman, and A.A. Debusman. Our topic is Lou Tate and the Little Loomhouse.

Segment Synopsis: Ward introduces the interview by giving the date, her name, her interviewees' names (Amelia Debusman, Melanie Debusman, and A.A. Debusman), their location, and the topic.

Keywords: A.A. Debusman; Amelia Ann Debusman; Amelia Debusman; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Melanie Debusman; The Little Loomhouse

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

Partial Transcript: As we begin, Melanie, A.A., Amelia, I want you all to tell just a little bit about each of yourselves. Melanie...

Segment Synopsis: The three Debusman women briefly describe their educational and career backgrounds.

Keywords: Bellarmine University; Coopers & Lydrand; LFPL; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Louisville Free Public Library; Main Library; The Little Loomhouse; University of Louisville; UofL

Subjects: Kentucky—History; Libraries; Library; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Universities and colleges; Weaving

Partial Transcript: Tell me when you all first heard of Lou Tate.

Segment Synopsis: Amelia Debusman describes becoming familiar with Lou Tate in the early 1960s because she wanted to start weaving again -- she had woven as a child. The Debusman daughters describe the way going out to The Little Loomhouse would make them feel. They felt like they were in another place and time at the cabins.

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

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

Partial Transcript: As children, what was your all's impression of the Little Loom itself.

Segment Synopsis: Ward asks the Debusman daughters what they thought about the Little Loom. They express that they never found it to be very small or impressive because that was what they knew. Amelia Debusman recalls some of the items that the girls would weave on the Little Looms.

Keywords: Brother Kim Malloy; Flax wheels; Kentucky State Fair; Little Looms; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Saint Meinrad Archabbey; Saint Meinrad's; Sarah Bailey; Spinning Bees; St. Meinrad Archabbey; St. Meinrad's; The Little Loomhouse; Walking wheels; Wool wheels

Subjects: Agricultural exhibitions; Kentucky—History; Looms; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Spinning; Spinning-wheel; Weaving

Partial Transcript: As you look back on your experience of weaving, what do you think the value was in it?

Segment Synopsis: The Debusmans talk about the value they saw weaving bringing into their own lives. They recognize that it helped them relate to history, adults, and stand out amongst their peers. One of the Debusman daughters recalls being featured in an educational film about weaving, which Ward asks her to explain further.

Keywords: Film; Joe Creason Park; Kentucky State Fair; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; The Little Loomhouse; Top House; Video

Subjects: Agricultural exhibitions; Educational films; Kentucky—History; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Weaving

Partial Transcript: Now, really adults, looking back, try to remember what you thought Lou Tate was like when you first met her -- you've described the cabins -- and her teaching methods.

Segment Synopsis: The Debusman daughters talk about what they thought about Lou Tate. They recognize that they have heard some negative things about her, but that they never really saw that side of her. They talk a little about how Lou Tate did and did not actively include history in her teaching of weaving to kids. They also talk about some of the other skills they learned out at the Little Loomhouse.

Keywords: Ed Dienes; Gathering; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Russ Conklin; The Little Loomhouse

Subjects: Dyes and dyeing; Goldenrods; History; Kentucky—History; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Spinning; Tornadoes; Weaving; Weaving--patterns

Partial Transcript: Tell me about some of the other adults you met through the Little Loomhouse.

Segment Synopsis: The Debusman daughters talk about their memories of meeting Sarah Bailey, who they describe as being to spinning in Kentucky what Lou Tate was to weaving in Kentucky. They recall going to visit Sarah Bailey at her home in Eastern Kentucky, and describe their warm memories of that. They say that while they wove for fun, Sarah Bailey spun and wove as part of her daily life -- for utility, not for novelty. Amelia Debusman also tells a funny story about A.A. inviting Brother Kim Malloy to stay at their house one time when she was young.

Keywords: Bledsoe, Kentucky; Bledsoe, Ky; Brother Kim Malloy; Eastern Kentucky; Flax Wheel; Harlan, Kentucky; Harlan, Ky; Kentucky State Fair; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Pine Mountain Settlement School; Pine Mountain, Kentucky; Pine Mountain, Ky; Saint Meinrad Archabbey; Saint Meinrad's; Sarah Bailey; St. Meinrad Archabbey; St. Meinrad's; The Little Loomhouse; Wool Wheel

Subjects: Agricultural exhibitions; Kentucky—History; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Monks; Schools; Social settlements; Spinning; Weaving

Partial Transcript: I can remember doing a lot of other things out there besides just spinning and weaving...

Segment Synopsis: The Debusman daughters talk about helping in other ways at the Little Loomhouse, including doing chores around the property. One of the daughters asks Amelia why they stopped visiting The Little Loomhouse. Amelia carefully describes a falling out she had with Lou Tate. Amelia then goes on to explain her early interest in weaving that was inspired by weaving rag rugs in the government project she lived in as a child. She also talks about the looms they have and how she acquired them over the years.

Keywords: Chores; Conflicts; Construction; Fleece & Flax Guild; Fleece and Flax Guild; Foundation; Government projects; Land Development; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Property; Roy Heimerdinger; Sarah Bailey; Spinning Bee; The Depression; The Little Loomhouse

Subjects: Depressions; Erosion; Guilds; Kentucky—History; Looms; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Public housing; Rag rugs; Spinning; Subsistence farming; Weaving

Partial Transcript: Teka Ward: You're also a member of the Hobby Weavers.
Amelia Debusman: Uh huh.
TW: Tell about the beginning of the Hobby Weavers.

Segment Synopsis: Amelia talks about being a member of the Hobby Weavers and about some of the other weaving organizations in Kentucky.

Keywords: Hobby Weavers; Kentucky Weavers; Kentucky Weavers Jr.; Kentucky Weavers Junior; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; The Little Loomhouse

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

Partial Transcript: I want you to tell me about the spinning wheel.

Segment Synopsis: Amelia Debusman describes some of the different types of spinning wheels. It sounds like they are looking at a particular spinning wheel in her home. She also describes some pictures she has of her daughters out at The Little Loomhouse.

Keywords: Ashford Wheel; Ed Dienes; Flax Wheel; Jonquils; Lee Ebner; Lou Tate; Lou Tate Bousman; Louisa Tate Bousman; Low Wheel; Sally Moss; The Little Loomhouse; Walking Wheel; Wool Wheel

Subjects: Dyes and dyeing; Kentucky—History; Louisville (Ky.)--History; Photographs; Pictures; Property; Spinning; Spinning-wheel; Weaving