Scrapbook

Chris Wright, an archivist in Tinker’s History Office, carefully looks through a recently donated scrapbook of 1940s Oklahoma City newspaper and Tinker Take Off clippings, and a 1942 manual for a “JAHCO” aircraft engine starter. The book was compiled by a woman who worked here at that time in the Maintenance Division.(Air Force photo/Margo Wright)

Woman donates WWII-era scrapbook to historian

Published Aug. 28, 2008
By Brandice Armstrong
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- Earlier this month, the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Historian's Office received a timeless gift. Janet Keith, of Oakwood, Okla., donated a scrapbook from the World War II era.

The scrapbook, which had been found with Ms. Keith's late aunt's possessions, features happenings at Tinker during the Second World War.

"It's a little time capsule," Ms. Keith said. "I donated it because I thought it should be kept where it could be cared for and enjoyed by more people than just me."

Ms. Keith said her late aunt had been in the antique business. Through her dealings, she acquired the scrapbook.

Dr. James Crowder, OC-ALC historian, said the book is in decent condition. He said it's not a scrapbook by today's standards, meaning there's no artistic sense behind it. But, the articles are in good condition. The book itself, he said, is falling apart, and because of its musty smell, was likely stored in a basement or garage.

The woman who put the scrapbook together was named Zella May (Long) Moslander. She was born in Kansas in May of 1906, and married just before her 17th birthday. Mrs. Moslander, a mother to five children, began working in the Maintenance Division, Accessories and Miscellaneous Repair Section at Tinker Field in 1942. She worked at Tinker through the end of the war and died in October 1966, said Dr. Crowder.

The scrapbook is filled with feature stories about people who worked at Tinker during that time. One story is about a worker who walked several miles in order to catch a commuter bus that brought him to work. Another story is about a little person who, because of his height, couldn't fight in battle, so he contributed to the war effort by working at Tinker.

"It's interesting that somebody in the World War II period had such a sense of patriotism and appreciation of job to clip and keep the articles that weren't about herself," Dr. Crowder said.

The scrapbook was found when Ms. Keith helped cleaned her aunt's house. She said much of her aunt's possessions were sold at auction.