Friends of Historic Forest Grove Digital Exhibits

Student Tom Spreng dressed up in Gay Nineties attire

A 1958 photograph taken of student Tom Spreng at a Forest Grove elementary school during the Gay Nineties festival. "Allan J. De Lay staff photographer The Oregonian" is stamped on the back of the print, so it is likely that this photograph was taken for the newspaper.

This is one photograph from a collection on the Gay Nineties festival and the the Original All-Northwest Barbershop Ballad Contest in Forest Grove, Oregon. The festival 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 the crown jewel of the event, the Original All-Northwest Barbershop Ballad Contest, which earned Forest Grove the nickname "Ballad Town U.S.A."

De Lay, Allan J.

February 28, 1958

FHFG_G90_185

Forest Grove (Or.)

Nostalgia--United States--19th century

Nostalgia--United States--History--20th century

Barbershop quartets

Barbershop singing

Parades

Festivals

Forest Grove, Oregon

Online access to this image is for research and educational purposes only. To inquire about permissions, order a reproduction, or for more information, please contact Friends of Historic Forest Grove at: info@fhfg.org

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Friends of Historic Forest Grove