A Guide to the Willis R. Woolrich Papers, 1933-1970

Biographical Note

Willis Raymond Woolrich, 1889-1977, was born in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, on March 1, 1889. He received a bachelor of science from the University of Wisconsin in 1911 and an advanced degree in 1923. Afterward Woolrich worked as an engineer for both Western Electric and the International Harvester Company. In 1916 he joined the University of Tennessee and helped develop new methods of refrigeration. Woolrich later became the director of the Agriculture Industry Division of the Tennessee Valley Authority in 1933, developing a quick freezing method for the storage of foods. In 1936, Woolrich became the dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. During his tenure at the university he served as the director of the Bureau of Engineering Research, helped obtain accreditation of five departments of the college, and managed the acquisition of the Balcones Research Center (which later became the J.J. Pickle Research Campus). Woolrich established two Foundations, the Engineering Foundation, 1955, and the Neena Myhre Woolrich Foundation for Women Engineers, 1973. Furthermore, during his career he published over 100 books and papers. He retired as dean in 1958, but remained a faculty member until 1966. He died in Houston in 1977.

Scope and Contents

Correspondence, manuscripts, publications, printed materials, pamphlets, maps, glass negatives, slides, financial records, and newspaper clippings comprise the Willis R. Woolrich Papers, 1933-1970, which document Willis Woolrich's career as an engineer, a dean, and a professor. The bulk of the material primarily concerns Woolrich’s research interests in refrigeration and cold storage, which feature prominently in his correspondence, writing, and printed materials. Furthermore, Woolrich’s papers include material relating to his position as a dean and a professor as well as his activities in many professional organizations such as the Refrigerating Engineering Foundation for Education and Research and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Unrestricted access.

Use Restrictions

These papers are stored remotely. Advance notice required for retrieval. Contact repository for retrieval.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Willis R. Woolrich Papers, 1933-1970, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

Processing Information

Subsequent revisions were made by Megan Mummey, August 2009.

Detailed Description of the Papers