When 80,000 US troops came to town ...

Nearly 80,000 US troops were stationed in Brisbane during World War II, sent to secure victory in the Pacific. They also won many hearts. GI Joe tours at Newstead House are revealing the lasting impact of love in a time of war.

NICE TO MEET YOU: In March 1941, a US naval squadron docked in Brisbane. Nearly 80,000 US troops were stationed here during World War II. Picture: The Courier-Mail Photo Archive.

From 1941-45, Brisbane was in the grip of war but besieged by love.

Nearly 80,000 US troops were stationed here during World War II, sent to secure victory in the War in the Pacific. They also won many hearts.

Newstead House programming manager Jen Garcia has seen the impact first-hand, during the WWII GI Joe tours staged at Brisbane’s oldest surviving home. “We ran it last year on a small scale and it was so well received, I had people hugging me afterwards,” Jen says.

.

DIGITAL EDITION: Read Brisbane News in magazine format online

.

The War Years: Americans at Newstead House tours recreate the whirlwind romance between an American GI “Joe” and a local girl Marelle in 1942, complete with music, dances, air-raid sirens and a stint in an underground shelter.

One woman who joined the tour told Jen afterwards that she now understood her late mother, who fell in love with a GI during WWII.

INVASION: March 1941. US sailors and soldiers parade through Brisbane. Picture: The Courier-Mail Photo Archive.

“Her mother’s father wouldn’t let her marry him and he (her beau) went home and she married someone else and had kids, but her daughter could always sense this sadness,” Jen says.

“I’ve been amazed and overwhelmed at how well (the tour) was received by the public and … how they connected to the story — people of all age groups,” she says.

Jen says The War Years tours(May 3-6, 2018) are among many events designed to preserve the house’s heritage by encouraging more people to visit. The grand riverside residence with its sweeping grounds is available as a venue for everything from weddings, to private dinner parties and board meetings in the historic dining room, jazz and food festivals, and classical music concerts. Art exhibitions can be held in the on-site substation, which once powered Brisbane’s trams.

HISTORY TOURS: Jen Garcia hopes a program of events will encourage people to be “champions of history” and help preserve Newstead House. Photo AAP/ Ric Frearson

“There’s only a small percentage of people who are into history. It’s all about trying to make it timeless and relevant, and bring people here.”

Pint-sized history fans are being created as well, through a Little Historians Festival planned for June 10, with activities geared for 3-13 year olds, such as heritage games on the green, penny farthing bikes, crafts, and actors in heritage costumes.

“I want to create little champions of history who grow up to become adults who champion historic buildings like this,” Jen says.

MARCH 1941: US troops meet Brisbane locals. Picture: The Courier-Mail Photo Archive.

Other events planned include a Mother’s Day afternoon tea on the veranda on May 13, Sunday by the River jazz and food trucks (Jul. 1), a Father’s Day Boaters and Beers Festival (Sep. 2), the Cellar Series of classical music concerts with international performers, and more. Anna Wickham theatrical tours, featuring local actor Natalie Cowling as Newstead House’s first lady, are held regularly. “What I’m trying to do is make Newstead House relevant in a contemporary context,” Jen says.

“It’s all about keeping these places alive in the minds and hearts of people in the community.”

www.newsteadhouse.com.au