Interview with Ellis Ford Hartford, April 25, 1979

Interview Summary

Dr. Ellis Ford Hartford is a 1947 graduate of the University of Kentucky, former Dean of the University school, and Dean of the community college system. He was born in 1905 in Fordsville, Kentucky in Ohio County. Hartford hurt his knee playing football at Kentucky Wesleyan, so he chose to try working in the oil refineries near Hammond and Gary, Indiana. He recalls that he stayed only a week. He returned to Kentucky and received his teacher's certificate at Bowling Green State Normal School.

Hartford describes the differences between when he first began teaching and now, and explains his view of what being a "professional" entails. Hartford recalls a 1908 law which required separate high schools and eliminated the one-room school system. He discusses early efforts at commercial education and vocational classes as early as 1910 and 1920. Hartford explains the emphasis he placed on understanding grammar in English before applying it to foreign languages and his practical approaches towards this concept for both teachers and students.

Hartford remembers the bureaucracy of the United States Department of Education. He recalls his first visit to UK. He remembers when William S. Taylor, a native Ohio Countian and an employee of the first Federal Board of Vocational Education, was appointed Dean of Education in 1923. Hartford recalls the planning for the new College of Education building under Taylor and President Frank L. McVey, now called the Taylor Education Building. He mentions members of the original College of Education staff, including James Taylor Cotton Noe and Carsey Hammonds. Hartford describes the Bureau of School Service and its role in equalizing funding for county schools. He also discusses UK's University School, and talks about the formation of Kentucky's community college system. He mentions individuals who helped to improve education at the local, state, and national level, and talks about his family. Hartford discusses the current social problems associated with teaching and the qualities needed to be a caring, professional educator.

Interview Keyword

Kentucky's Cooperative Extension Service University of Kentucky

Interview LC Subject

Hartford, Ellis Ford, 1905- Hartford, Ellis Ford, 1905- --Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History University of Kentucky. Cooperative Extension Service

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.