PRESERVATION WORKSHOPS

“Voices of Austin in WWII” Oral History Workshop The Austin History Center Association presents preservation workshops on topics such as conducting oral histories and research on historic properties, as well as, applying for historical designation, preserving faimly photographs and many other options of interst. The 2006 workshop, “Voices of Austin – WWII Oral History Workshop,” was held January 28th in partnership with the Texas Historical Commission. This workshop trained attendees to conduct oral histories relating to the war years in Austin and Travis County.

The kick-off of the “Aluminum for Defense” drive was held nationwide on July 21, 1941. Locally, Mayor Tom Miller served as chairman for the event and over 1,000 youngsters lined up at the Paramount Theater with their aluminum “admission tickets” for a viewing of the movie “They Met in Bombay,” starring Clark Gable and Rosalind Russell. According to the plan, the scrap metal was to be used for civilian purposes so that first-grade aluminum would be available for airplanes and other defense needs. Austinites collected a total of 25,000 pounds which was sent to an approved smelter in Chicago. From the Austin History Center website.