Interview with Mrs. John Barrow, September 28, 1977

Interview Summary

Mrs. John Barrow is the granddaughter of Dr. Frank McVey, and in this interview she remembers her experiences with her grandparents while she was growing up. Barrow considers Mrs. Frances Jewell McVey her grandmother, although they are not related by blood. She states that she was very close to her grandmother and that when she found out she was ill, she would go and spend time with her after school. Barrow talks about helping to catalog Dr. McVey's book collection and states that her grandfather instilled in her a love of books. She states that the McVeys pulled her into their daily routine and never treated her like a child. She remembers family vacations with her grandparents. Mrs. Barrow states that her grandfather was a man of routine, but she can only remember one thing that he was not good at and that was washing dishes. She recalls helping Mrs. McVey with her Wednesday teas, and states that the teas gave her grandmother much pleasure. Barrow describes a visit by Eleanor Roosevelt, and explains that her grandfather was a great admirer of Roosevelt. Barrow also explains that Dr. McVey was a very religious man, but that she remembers him defending evolution. She describes her grandfather's love of sailing and fishing. Mrs. Barrow lived at Maxwell Place while her mother was sick. Her room there was next to her grandparents. Mrs. Barrow remembers Frances Jewell McVey's love of candles and a fire caused by one of the candles. She recalls how much Dr. McVey missed Frances Jewell after she died. She describes the smell of her grandfather's pipe, and remembers her grandfather's death. Mrs. Barrow states that Dr. McVey had a great vision for education.

Interview Keyword

Grandparents University of Kentucky Maxwell Place Childhood memories University presidents

Interview LC Subject

Barrow, John, Mrs. Barrow, John, Mrs.--Interviews McVey, Frances Jewell, 1889-1945 McVey, Frank LeRond, 1869-1953 Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962 University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History Grandparents Universities and colleges--Administration. College presidents' spouses College presidents College presidents--Dwellings

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.