The Sound of Music True Story Part 6 - Family Life in the Midst of War

By Katrina Casey - www.edelweisspatterns.com

As the war continued on, the music of the Trapp Family Singers refreshed and encouraged America’s citizens just as it had Europeans before the outbreak of World War II. As their oldest boys, Rupert and Werner, were serving in the tenth mountain division as ski-troopers in Italy, the von Trapps formed a bond even from stage with the tearful families whose fathers, sons, brothers, and husbands were off at war themselves.
Back in Austria, the von Trapp villa was confiscated by the Nazis and was converted into Heinrich Himmler’s headquarters. Their once-beloved chapel was redecorated as a beer parlor, and the parents’ bedroom was rearranged for Himmler’s private suite! Hitler himself appeared on the property at one point where he ordered several of his guards to be executed for whistling a Russian folk song.
In 1944 Maria poured her creative energy into starting a summer music camp in an abandoned army barracks near their property in Stowe, Vermont. Just as they did when building their home, the family toiled to turn the dirty buildings into a beautiful, homey vacation spot where guests could sing, play instruments, and learn Austrian folk dance. The first month-long adventure drew over one hundred people who were fans of the Trapp Family performances, and many of whom were new to music.
When at last the war ended and their sons returned home, they were received by the entire music camp which was now in its second year. Werner continued to tour with the family, but Rupert stayed behind to pursue a degree in medicine. Rosmarie and Eleanor, the two youngest daughters, had joined the singing group when their brothers had left, making the family stage appearance even grander.
While the war may have been over, living conditions for Austrians were unthinkable, and many personal friends of the von Trapps told them of the destitution they were experiencing. The whole family’s hearts were touched by the desperate pleas. Georg and Maria soon founded the “Trapp Family Austrian Relief, Incorporated”, with Johanna and Werner acting as secretaries for the project. Thus began an enormous campaign of collecting food, clothing, and supplies at their concerts, then packaging them and mailing the goods to individuals in Austria. In under two years’ time, this organization sent over 275,000 pounds of supplies to impoverished citizens.

Katrina Casey is the owner of Edelweiss Patterns, an online company specializing in Sound of Music costumes. Her life-long love of The Sound of Music has led to much research of the von Trapp family's history, including a lecture from daughter Rosmarie von Trapp and a visit to the Trapp Family Lodge. An avid seamstress, Katrina has studied historical costume in England and has had her work featured by PBS show host Martha Pullen. She resides in Oregon where she sews, designs patterns, and spends time with her family. Visit her website at www.edelweisspatterns.com for Sound of Music costumes and von Trapp related links.