Eugene George Oral History
Object number2008.001.0071
Date09/11/2008
ClassificationsOral Histories
Oral history interview subject
Eugene George
Oral history interviewer
Stephen Fagin
ObjectOral history
Credit LineOral History Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
MediumCD
Dimensions98 Minutes
DescriptionAudio oral history interview with Eugene George. George served as the restoration architect for The Sixth Floor Exhibit and was charged with ensuring the historical integrity of the former Texas School Book Depository building during the design and construction of the exhibit. He remained an active member of the project team from 1979 to 1989.
Interview conducted by telephone on September 11, 2008 by Associate Curator Stephen Fagin. The interview is one hour and thirty-eight minutes long.
Curatorial CommentaryMr. George was involved in the development of an exhibition on the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository for ten years, from initial planning meetings in April 1979 to the opening of The Sixth Floor Exhibit in February 1989. As restoration architect on the exhibit project, George was in charge of taking care of the actual sixth floor space while architect James Hendricks supervised the design and construction of the Museum's Visitors Center and exterior elevator shaft adjacent to the Depository building. According to those who worked closely with George during this decade of development, his motto was always: "We're here to preserve the dirt." After retiring in Austin, George returned to the Museum two decades later for a 20th anniversary luncheon in February 2009. Mr. George passed away on January 16, 2012. - Stephen Fagin, Associate Curator
