A black and white photograph featuring a Gay Nineties-themed classroom dance. A typewritten inscription on the back reads: "Remember when you danced to 'Turkey in the Straw' and those other lively fiddle tunes? Much more fun than rock n' roll. Everyone's dressed for the part, even teachers and principals." The photographer is unknown, but it may have been Allan J. de Lay, a staff photographer for The Oregonian who took numerous photographs of the event over the years.
A black and white, staged photograph featuring a boy hoop rolling in the school yard during the Gay Nineties festival. The school featured in the photograph is likely what is now known as Tom McCall Elementary School. A typewritten inscription on the back reads: "One of the boys was sure good at that hoop-rolling, and won all the races. Here he demonstrates for admirers. He went over big with the girls." The photographer is unknown, but it may have been Allan J. de Lay, a staff photographer for The Oregonian who took numerous photographs of the event over the years.
A black and white photograph by Allan J. de Lay featuring the "Royal Order of the Garter" -- the name of which pokes fun at the real British order of chivalry -- performing on stage during the Gay Nineties festival in 1961. The photographer is unknown, but it may have been Allan J. de Lay, a staff photographer for The Oregonian who took numerous photographs of the event over the years.
A black and white photograph featuring a waiter serving donuts to barbershop quartets at Hundley's Donut Bar during the first annual Gay Nineties festival in 1947. Lee Brattan and Mrs. Timmerman are pictured seated. The photographer is unknown, but it may have been Allan J. de Lay, a staff photographer for The Oregonian who took numerous photographs of the event over the years.
A black and white photograph featuring Lee Brattan serving donuts to barbershop quartets at Hundley's Donut Bar during the first annual Gay Nineties festival in 1947. Ray Hoss/ Hass is pictured at second left, and Mayor Hughes is pictured as the leftmost gentleman with a top hat. The photographer is unknown, but it may have been Allan J. de Lay, a staff photographer for The Oregonian who took numerous photographs of the event over the years.
A black and white photograph by Allan J. de Lay featuring Ace Hingston and Varina Heinrich-French on stage at the Barbershop Ballad Contest in 1961. Ace "Hap" Hingston was a Speech Professor at Pacific University. Varina French was, at the time this photograph was taken, an alumna of Pacific University (Class of 1956); she later became a Professor there and founded the university's Physical Therapy program.
A black and white photograph featuring KPOJ AM-FM representing at the Gay Nineties festival in the 1950s or early 1960s. The organization broadcast the finalists of the Original All-Northwest Barbershop Ballad Contest on the radio nationwide. A handwritten note on the back of the print states: "Ballad Contest Radio Broadcast in the '50s." The photographer is unknown, but it may have been Allan J. de Lay, a staff photographer for The Oregonian who took numerous photographs of the event over the years.
A black and white photograph by Allan J. de Lay featuring Ralph Shumm on stage at the Barbershop Ballad Contest. A handwritten note on the back of the print states "Ralf Shum [sic] 1961."
A Gay Nineties portrait of Forest Grove Mayor Lester Hughes taken in 1955. The photographer is unknown, but it may have been Allan J. de Lay, a staff photographer for The Oregonian who took numerous photographs of the event over the years.
A black and white photograph by Allan J. de Lay featuring Eddie Peabody, famous banjo player and the guest talent of the 1961 Barbershop Ballad Contest, at the annual quartet breakfast.
A black and white photograph by Allan J. de Lay featuring Eddie Peabody, famous banjo player and the guest talent of the 1961 Barbershop Ballad Contest, performing at the old Forest Grove High School in 1961.
A black and white photograph by Allan J. de Lay featuring Eddie Peabody, famous banjo and player and the guest talent of the 1961 Barbershop Ballad Contest, performing at the old Forest Grove High School auditorium.
A black and white photograph by Allan J. de Lay featuring an unknown magician and famous banjo player Eddie Peabody, the guest talent of the Barbershop Ballad Contest, at the Gay Nineties festival in 1961.
A black and white photograph featuring Russell Crocker giving Lee Brattan a bicycle ride during the first Gay Nineties festival in 1947. The photograph was taken in front of the location of the current feed store on 19th avenue. The photographer is unknown, but it may have been Allan J. de Lay, a staff photographer for The Oregonian who took numerous photographs of the event over the years.
A black and white photograph taken sometime during the Gay Nineties festival in the 1950s. According to a handwritten label on the back of the print, David McCready, Len Dunlap, and Roland and Lucille Hundley are pictured at this gas station, where the Forest Grove Police Station is now located. A "Grove Studio Photo" label is also on the back of the print. The photographer is unknown, but it may have been Allan J. de Lay, a staff photographer for The Oregonian who took numerous photographs of the event over the years.
A black and white photograph by Allan J. de Lay featuring Cornelius Junior High School's Gay Nineties parade float in 1960. The photograph was taken in front of the historic Forest Theater on Pacific Avenue.
A black and white photograph featuring a trophy being presented to woman at the Gay Nineties festival in 1960. The photographer is unknown, but it may have been Allan J. de Lay, a staff photographer for The Oregonian who took numerous photographs of the event over the years.
A black and white photograph by Allan J. de Lay featuring a man in a buggy at the Gay Nineties parade holding a Washington County News-Times newspaper which headline reads: "Ballad Town U.S.A. Beset by Song" in the 1950s or 1960s.
A black and white photograph by Allan J. de Lay likely depicting the Ballad Towne Belle of 1958. A note on the back of the print states: "Allan J. de Lay, staff photographer for the Oregonian," suggesting that this photograph may have been printed in The Oregonian newspaper.
A black and white photograph from the 1950s or 1960s featuring a girl being presented a ribbon for the "Best Girl Costume" at the Gay Nineties parade. The woman in black who is presenting the award is Eloise Running. Eloise and Don Running owned the Photo Graphic shop in the 1950s-1960s. The photographer is unknown, but it may have been Allan J. de Lay, a staff photographer for The Oregonian who took numerous photographs of the event over the years.
A black and white photograph by Allan J. de Lay featuring the Quaring Nursing Home's county fair food judging parade float at the 1961 Gay Nineties parade.
A 1962 photograph by Allan J. de Lay featuring the "Royal Order of the Garter" -- the name of which pokes fun at the real British order of chivalry -- being bestowed upon at the Gay Nineties parade. The photograph reportedly depicts Forest Grove residents Merrie French (one of the women standing) and Leonard Dunlap at the microphone.
