Ardis W. Koester Papers, 1962-1996

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Koester, Ardis W.
Title
Ardis W. Koester Papers
Dates
1962-1996 (inclusive)
1975-1995 (bulk)
Quantity
7.5 cubic feet, including 704 photographs, (8 boxes)
Collection Number
MSS Koester
Summary
The Ardis W. Koester Papers consist of materials assembled and created by Koester in her role as Extension Textile and Clothing Specialist with the Oregon State University Extension Service from 1974 until 1996. The materials include extensive reference materials as well as publications, instructional kits, and slide presentations on textiles used for clothing and interior design.
Repository
Oregon State University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives Research Center
Special Collections and Archives Research Center
121 The Valley Library
Oregon State University
Corvallis OR
97331-4501
Telephone: 5417372075
Fax: 5417378674
scarc@oregonstate.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Additional Reference Guides

Preliminary container list available online.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Ardis Williams Koester was Textiles and Clothing Specialist with the Oregon State University Extension Service from 1974 to 1996 as an Assistant Professor (1974-1979), Associate Professor (1979-1990), and Professor (1990-1996). In this position she provided educational programs in all aspects of textiles and clothing for individuals and families in Oregon and conducted and published applied research. Koester authored numerous Extension Service publications, teaching guides, instructional kits, and audiovisual presentations.

Ardis A. Williams earned a BS in Home Economics Education from Oregon State University in 1961; she taught homemaking in junior and senior high schools in California from 1961 to 1969. She completed an MS (1972) and Ph.D. (1974) at University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Ardis W. Koester Papers consist of reference materials; audiovisual presentations, instructional sewing kits, and slide presentations; and publications and information resources. The reference materials comprise the bulk of the collection and include clippings, fabric samples, newsletters and publications, and corporate product brochures and promotional materials on a myriad of topics pertaining to textiles for interior design; clothing design and construction; clothing maintenance and laundry; and teenagers' clothing purchases. The reference materials also include lecture notes, syllabi, and student papers documenting the Textiles for Interiors course (AIHM 352) taught by Koester as well as resources on cleaning and maintenance assembled by Extension Housing Specialist Mary Ann Sward.

The audiovisual presentations, instructional sewing kits, and slide presentations were developed by Koester for use by Koester and other Extension Service staff. They address a variety of clothing design topics and include Clothing Speaks, Start Sewing and Keep Sewing, Fitting a Basic Dress Pattern, Tailoring Women's Jackets with Fusible Interfacing, Focus on Color, and Appropriate Dress for Work. These include about 700 slides and 8 cassette tape sound recordings.

The publication and information resources consist of materials written and prepared by Koester and include Extension Service publications, a 4-H Clothing Project Leader Training Guide, and and an informational kit (with fabric samples) about microfibers and other textile developments.

The collection also includes a detailed curriculum vitae for Koester that lists her professional activities, publications, and presentations.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Ardis W. Koester Papers, Oregon State University Archives, Corvallis, Oregon.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Processing Note

This collection is not fully processed; this guide is preliminary.

Acquisition Information

The materials were transferred and donated to the Archives in two accessions in 2008.

Related Materials

The Extension Service Records (RG 111) and the College of Home Eonomics and Education Records (RG 141) provide information about the home economics extension and 4-H programs in Oregon. The papers of many Extension specialists and agents are part of the Archives' collections, including Roberta Frasier Anderson, James F. Bishop, Helen Cowgill, Buena Maris Mockmore, Esther Taskerud, and Janet Taylor. The Apparel, Interiors, Housing, and Merchandising Department Records (RG 028) document the teaching, research, and extension activities in clothings and textiles. The Archives' collections also include the Oregon Fiber Flax Collection and Oregon Custom Weavers Guild Research Notebook.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • 4-H clubs--Oregon.
  • Clothing and dress--Care--Handbooks, manuals, etc.
  • Clothing and dress--Social aspects--Handbooks, manuals, etc.
  • Home economics extension work--Oregon.
  • Home economics--Study and teaching (Higher)--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • Laundry.
  • Sewing.
  • Textile research--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • Textile fabrics.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Audiocassettes.
  • Slides.

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Sward, Mary Ann. (creator)
    Corporate Names
    • Oregon State University. College of Home Economics. (creator)
    • Oregon State University. Extension Service. (creator)
    • Oregon State University. School of Home Economics. (creator)