Wenkart family guest books

fonds

1944, 1952-1998

Textual Records, Ephemera, Clippings, Graphic Materials, Photographs, Drawings

9673628

1.24 metres of textual material (6 outsize boxes) - 27 x 22 cm or smaller

Alfred Wenkart married Juliska in Vienna in 1937. The Wenkarts fled Austria in July 1938 for Hungary, where Juliska's family lived. They came to Australia on the 'Remo' in May 1939. The couple opened a clothing factory in Hornsby in 1943, the suburb's first manufacturing company. Their daughter Susan was born in 1942 and a son, Thomas, was born in 1944. They bought their home at 102 Grosvenor Street, Wahroonga in about 1946. The Wenkarts offered hospitality to many people at this house, hosting recitals and garden parties for world-famous musicians, artists and organisations. The home was a focus for Viennese cultural activities, such as the Kleines Wiener Theater. The Musica Viva Society was founded in 1945 in Wahroonga, and the house at Grosvenor Street became a venue for countless recitals. The Wahroonga District Music Club, the Independent Theatre, numerous charities and even soccer clubs made use of the Wenkart house and garden paddocks. The Wenkarts also sponsored and helped to resettle more than 70 post-war immigrants.

​Reference:
​Strauss to Matilda : Viennese in Australia 1938-1988. [Leichhardt, N.S.W.] : Wenkart Foundation, 1988.

The collection comprises five guest books and one travel autograph book which belonged to Alfred and Juliska Wenkart, covering the period 1952-1998. They are a record of visitors to their home at 102 Grosvenor Street Wahroonga, including eminent international and local musicians and artists, of relevance to the history of Musica Viva Australia and Sydney’s post-war musical and theatrical scene. As well as handwritten and dated messages and signatures, the books include drawings, musical jottings and inserted ephemera (printed invitations, newscuttings, letters, postcards, photographs, itineraries, programs and business cards).

VOLUME 1
Wenkart family guest book, 1944, 1952-1960, 1977

VOLUME 2
Wenkart family guest book, 1961-1963

VOLUME 3
Wenkart family guest book, 1965-1972

VOLUME 4
Wenkart family guest book, 1972-1982

VOLUME 5
Wenkart family guest book, 1982-1998

VOLUME 6
Wenkart family travel autograph book, 1955

English, German, French, Hungarian, Hebrew, Russian

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Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy copyright holder