Gay Nineties Festival and Ballad Town U.S.A. Oral History Video Collection

Collection

Identifier: MS-166

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

A collection of 9 oral history video recordings collected by Pacific University student Elle Griego in June-August, 2025. The oral histories explore the history of Forest Grove's Gay Nineties Festival and the Barbershop Ballad Contest at the Pacific University Archives. Other topics include how Forest Grove in general has changed over time; the history of the Tualatin Valley Harmony Masters barbershop music organization; and the formation of Friends of Historic Forest Grove.

Griego served as the interviewer in all the recordings. Interviewees (some of whom were interviewed in groups) include: Myra Beeler; Butch Berquist; Peggy Alexander; Carol Drew; Mary Easton; Jerry Frye; Laura Frye; Scott Harwood; Jim MacMillan; David Morelli; Mary Jo Morelli; Ed Phillips; Jane Romig; Tim Schauermann; Don Skinner; and Rosanna Steiner.

The recordings are in MP4 format; transcripts are in .txt and .pdf format. The digitized files are publicly accessible via Pacific University's digital exhibits site. As of the writing of this description, the URL is: https://washingtoncountyheritage.org

Dates

Creation: 2025

Creator

Griego, Elle (Compiler, Person)

Conditions Governing Use

In copyright.

Biographical / Historical Note

The Gay Nineties was an annual festival in Forest Grove, Oregon, centered around a theme of nostalgia for the 1890s decade. The event, which ran from 1947 through the 1990s, featured a parade downtown, residents dressing up in 1890s-themed costumes for the celebrations, local businesses decorating their window displays, and a celebration of barbershop music: the Original All-Northwest Barbershop Ballad Contest, which earned Forest Grove the nickname "Ballad Town U.S.A." The recordings are in digital .MP4 format and are accompanied by transcripts in .txt format.

Extent

3.43 Gigabytes (3.43 GB (9 video files))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

A collection of 9 oral history video recordings collected by Pacific University student Elle Griego in June-August, 2025. The oral histories with local area residents explore the history of Forest Grove's Gay Nineties Festival and the Barbershop Ballad Contest at the Pacific University Archives.