Records of the Work Projects Administration [WPA]
(RECORD GROUP 69)
1922-44 (Bulk 1930-44)
Table of Contents
- 69.1 ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY
- 69.2 RECORDS OF THE CIVIL WORKS ADMINISTRATION
1933-39
- 69.2.1 General records
- 69.2.2 Field office records
- 69.3 RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY RELIEF
ADMINISTRATION
(FERA)
1930-42
211 lin. ft. and 496 rolls of microfilm
- 69.3.1 General records
- 69.3.2 Records of the Division of Self-Help
Cooperatives
- 69.3.3 Records of the Transient Division
- 69.3.4 Records of the Work Division
- 69.3.5 Records of the Emergency Education
Program
- 69.3.6 Records of the Sectional Economic Research
Project
- 69.3.7 Records of other FERA divisions and
projects
- 69.3.8 Records relating to research, statistics, and
finance
- 69.3.9 Records relating to rural rehabilitation
activities
- 69.3.10 Regional Records
- 69.4 RECORDS OF THE WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION AND
ITS PREDECESSORS
1931-44
- 69.4.1 General records
- 69.4.2 Administrative records
- 69.4.3 Records of the Division of Information
- 69.4.4 Records of the Division of Engineering and
Construction
- 69.4.5 Records of the Division of Professional and
Service Projects
- 69.4.6 Records of the Division of Investigation
- 69.4.7 Records of the Division of Finance
- 69.4.8 Records of the Division of Statistics
- 69.4.9 Records of the Project Control Division
- 69.4.10 Records of other WPA divisions
- 69.5 RECORDS OF WPA PROJECTS
1934-43
- 69.5.1 Administrative records of Federal Project No.
1
- 69.5.2 Records of the Federal Art Project (FAP)
- 69.5.3 Records of the Federal Music Project
(FMP)
- 69.5.4 Records of the Federal Theatre Project
(FTP)
- 69.5.5 Records of the Federal Writers' Project
(FWP)
- 69.5.6 Records of the Historical Records Survey
(HRS)
- 69.5.7 Records of the Survey of Federal Archives
(SFA)
- 69.5.8 Records of the Research and Records
Project
- 69.5.9 Records of the National Research Project
(NRP)
- 69.5.10 Records of the Public Work Reserve
Project
- 69.5.11 Records of other WPA projects
- 69.6 FIELD RECORDS
1935-43
- 69.6.1 General records
- 69.6.2 Records of the Massachusetts WPA
- 69.6.3 Records of the California WPA
- 69.7 Textual Records (GENERAL) 1931-44
- 69.8 CARTOGRAPHIC RECORDS (GENERAL)
1933-40
- 69.9 MOTION PICTURES (GENERAL)
- 69.10 SOUND RECORDINGS (GENERAL)
1936-42
- 69.11 STILL PICTURES (GENERAL)
1922-44
Established: In the Federal Works Agency (FWA) by Reorganization Plan No. I of 1939, effective July 1, 1939.
Predecessor Agencies:
- Civil Works Administration (CWA, 1933-34)
- Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA, 1933-38)
- Works Progress Administration (1935-39)
Abolished: By Presidential letter, December 4, 1942, effective June 30, 1943.
Successor Agencies: Division for Liquidation of the Work Projects Administration, FWA (July 1, 1943-June 30, 1944); FWA and NYA as functional successors.
Finding Aids: Francis T. Bourne, comp., "Preliminary Checklist of the Central Correspondence Files of the Work Projects Administration and Its Predecessors, 1933-44," PC 37 (1946).
Related Records: Record copies of publications of the Work
Projects Administration and its predecessors in RG 287,
Publications of the U.S. Government.
Records of the Civilian Conservation Corps, RG 35.
Records of the National Youth Administration, RG 119.
General Records of the Federal Works Agency, RG 162.
Subject Access Terms: New Deal agency.
69.2 RECORDS OF THE CIVIL WORKS ADMINISTRATION
1933-39
History: Established by EO 6420-B, November 9, 1933, under authority of the National Industrial Recovery Act (48 Stat. 200), June 16, 1933, to provide relief work for unemployed persons through public work projects. Functioned simultaneously, and to some extent with the same personnel, with Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA). Liquidated March 1934, and functions and records transferred to the Emergency Relief Program of FERA.
Textual Records: CWA central files, including a "state series" of correspondence concerning program administration and projects within a single state or territory; and a "general subject" series, 1933-34. Correspondence and telegrams relating to the continuance and operation of CWA programs, 1934. Microfilmed project records, arranged by state, 1933-34 (608 rolls). Microfilmed CWA reports of progress, employment, hours and wages, completed projects, and statistics, 1933-39 (22 rolls).
Photographs (1,550 images): CWA projects in Wisconsin, primarily construction and repair of public buildings, 1933-34 (CWA, CM). SEE ALSO 69.10.
Textual Records: Microfilmed administrative and project files, 1933-34 (888 rolls), including indexes, final state reports, engineering records, easements and rights of way, progress reports, CWA and state reporting forms, correspondence, and other records for projects in the following states:
| State | Rolls | State | Rolls | State | Rolls | State | Rolls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR | 48 | KY | 23 | ND | 22 | SD | 10 |
| CA | 59 | LA | 17 | NH | 7 | TN | 17 |
| CO | 10 | MA | 11 | NJ | 30 | TX | 29 |
| DC | 1 | MD | 8 | NM | 5 | UT | 10 |
| DE | 2 | ME | 9 | NV | 2 | VA | 20 |
| FL | 14 | MI | 15 | NY | 33 | VT | 4 |
| GA | 45 | MN | 13 | OH | 51 | WA | 27 |
| ID | 5 | MO | 15 | OK | 20 | WI | 50 |
| IL | 37 | MS | 29 | OR | 6 | WV | 23 |
| IN | 22 | MT | 8 | PA | 40 | WY | 4 |
| IA | 18 | NE | 14 | RI | 4 | ||
| KS | 11 | NC | 23 | SC | 17 |
69.3 RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY RELIEF ADMINISTRATION
(FERA)
1930-42
History: Established by authority of the Federal Emergency Relief Act of 1933 (48 Stat. 55), May 12, 1933, to allocate grants to state and local agencies for direct and work relief, to set minimum relief standards, and to coordinate information on relief problems, policies, and procedures. Liquidation provided for in the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1936 (49 Stat. 1611), June 22, 1936; postponed by Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1937 (50 Stat. 357), June 29, 1937. Funds for liquidation expired June 30, 1938.
Textual Records: Correspondence, 1933-36, arranged in an "old general subject" (alphabetical) series, and a "new general subject" (decimal classification) series. Records relating to the history of federal relief programs, 1935. State relief statutes, 1930-34. Fragmentary records of the Office of the Assistant Administrator, relating to policy, wages, hours, worker classifications, self-help cooperatives, and "white-collar" projects, 1934-36. Microfilmed records (75 rolls) including applications for grants-in-aid, 1933-36; records relating to state relief programs, 1933-39; correspondence of FERA and WPA officials relating to relief activities, 1933-42; FERA work programs, 1934-40; completed, transferred, or discontinued projects, 1935-37; and requests for information, 1933-40. Records relating to relief trends, 1933-36, and urban relief, 1933-38. Tabulations of FERA relief data, 1933-40.
Maps (11 items): U.S. county outline maps illustrating manufacturing, mining, and agricultural employment, derived from 1930 census data, n.d. (4 items). U.S. real property housing survey locations, ca. 1935 (1 item). Proposed dam at Bonaparte, IA, 1934 (6 items). SEE ALSO 69.7.
Photographic Prints (1,444 images): FERA projects in various states, Puerto Rico (PR), and the Virgin Islands (VI), including pictures from the North Carolina Emergency Relief Administration, 1934-35 (FERA, FERAC). SEE ALSO 69.10.
Subject Access Terms: Chattel mortgages; drought relief; Florida hurricane disaster, 1935; Hopkins, Harry L.; Resettlement Administration; rural rehabilitation; Williams, Aubrey.
69.3.2 Records of the Division of Self-Help Cooperatives
History: Under the Federal Emergency Relief Act of 1933, administered a program of grants to states to enable cooperatives to produce and exchange goods and services.
Textual Records: Monthly progress, financial, and field reports, 1933-37. Correspondence, 1933-37. General subject file relating to cooperatives, 1933-37.
69.3.3 Records of the Transient Division
History: Supervised grants to states for relief of indigent persons otherwise disqualified by residency requirements.
Textual Records: Statistical reports, 1933-36. Surveys of camp facilities, 1933-36. Policy records on establishment of work camps and the WPA reorganization of the transient program, 1933- 36. Camp newsletters, 1934.
69.3.4 Records of the Work Division
History: Created following termination of the CWA to encourage state and local relief projects. Issued regulations and procedures, and gave technical advice to relief agencies supervising work projects.
Textual Records: Procedural bulletins, 1934-36. Correspondence and reports concerning a rural electrification survey, engineering and construction projects, the drought relief and subsistence garden programs, and the mattress-making project of the Women's Section, 1934-36.
69.3.5 Records of the Emergency Education Program
History: Established in Education Division, October 1933, to supervise state and local projects for adult education in literacy, arts and crafts, vocational training, parent education, and child care. Assisted in operating nursery and rural schools.
Textual Records: Reports, memorandums, correspondence, and some teaching material, 1933-39. Subject index to subject series and general correspondence file, 1938-39.
Related Records: Program records after 1939 in WPA central files, 69.4.1. Additional records relating to college student aid in RG 119.
69.3.6 Records of the Sectional Economic Research Project
Textual Records: Correspondence, memorandums, reports, and research material relating to political, social, industrial, and agricultural studies of the U.S. economy, 1934-37.
69.3.7 Records of other FERA divisions and projects
Textual Records: Personnel data, training materials, and conference and narrative reports of the Social Service Training Program, 1934-36. Records of the Adjustment Division, including complaints from states concerning program administration, 1934- 35.
69.3.8 Records relating to research, statistics, and finance
History: FERA Statistics Section (after 1935, the Relief Statistics Unit) collected weekly and monthly reports from state and territorial relief administrators showing the number of families and persons receiving relief funds and the total cost to federal, state, and local governments. Statistical reporting activities continued under the WPA Division of Statistics. SEE 69.4.8.
Textual Records (111 rolls of microfilm): Relief reports, 1933- 42. Financial records relating to Reconstruction Finance Corporation funds, 1933-34. Audit reports of state relief administrators, 1933-40. Monthly statements of expenditures, 1934-42. Correspondence of FERA and WPA divisions of research and statistics, 1935-42. Records relating to summary financial statements, 1936-40. Statistical reports and other records relating to FERA special relief programs, including the Emergency Education Program, 1933-37; College Student Aid Program, 1934-35; Rural Rehabilitation Program, 1934-37; Transient Program, 1934- 40; Drought Relief Program, 1934-36; Domestic Service Training Program, 1936-37; and National Reemployment Service, 1933-34.
69.3.9 Records relating to rural rehabilitation activities
Textual Records: Microfilmed records (14 rolls) relating to financial matters, 1935; the transfer of rural rehabilitation activities to the Resettlement Administration, 1935-36; and rural rehabilitation colonies including Cherry Lake Farms, FL; Dyess Colony, AR; Matanuska Valley Colony at Palmer, AK; and Pine Mountain Valley Rural Community, GA, 1933-40.
Textual Records: Microfilmed project folders, registers, and other records, 1933-36, relating to FERA relief projects in GA (50 rolls), LA (30 rolls), MA (103 rolls), ND (30 rolls), and OH (83 rolls).
69.4 RECORDS OF THE WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION AND ITS
PREDECESSORS
1931-44
History: Established as Works Progress Administration by EO 7034, May 6, 1935. Assumed dominant role in work relief activities. Operated through a central administration in Washington, DC, regional offices, state administrations, and district offices. Renamed Work Projects Administration and placed under FWA, 1939. SEE 69.1.
Textual Records: Central correspondence files, 1935-44, including a "general subject" series (309 ft.), and a "state" series (870 ft.). Partial index, 1935-38. Fragmentary correspondence and memorandums, Office of the Commissioner, 1935-41. Original and microfilmed records (92 rolls) relating to allocation of funds ("Presidential Letters"), 1935-43. Microfilmed records relating to WPA liquidation, 1943 (1 roll). Final narrative reports, 1943.
Finding Aids: Francis T. Bourne, comp., "Preliminary Checklist of the Central Correspondence Files of the Work Projects Administration and Its Predecessors, 1933-44," PC 37 (1946).
Subject Access Terms: Cooperatives; disaster relief; Historic American Buildings Survey; Historic Merchant Marine Survey; Works Progress Advisory Board.
Textual Records: CWA, FERA, and WPA procedural, technical, and research publications, 1935-43, including the WPA Manual of Rules and Regulations. Project manuals, 1935-43. Memorandums, telegrams, circular letters, copies of speeches, and minutes of FERA-WPA conferences, 1935-43. Organizational charts, 1935-42. Correspondence with prominent individuals and organizations, 1935-38. FERA and WPA complaint correspondence, 1933-36. Records of the liaison officer for the WPA Oklahoma State administration, 1937-39; and of the Operations, Statistical, and Employment Divisions for Region 1, relating to DC, DE, and MD. Miscellaneous microfilmed records (22 rolls) relating to WPA microfilm program, statistics, and other administrative activities, 1935-43.
69.4.3 Records of the Division of Information
Textual Records: Newspaper and magazine clippings, 1935-42. Records relating to world's fairs, 1937-40. Publicity files, 1935-38. Press releases, 1936-42. Press clippings and other records concerning Blacks, the WPA and other relief agencies, and relations with the Negro press, 1936-40. State WPA publications and publicity materials, 1936-42. Records concerning the Alabama Federation of Women's Clubs' "Works Program Study," 1938-39; the U.S. Community Improvement Appraisal Survey, 1937-39; and National Defense Projects, 1939-42. Reports of physical accomplishments, 1936-38. "Boondoggling" charges ("Attacks on WPA"), 1935-36. Letters of commendation, 1937-42. Records relating to restoration of historic sites, 1937-38. Speeches, 1936-42. Records of the motion picture, photographic, and radio sections including lists of films, correspondence, and scripts, 1936-42. Statistical reports, press releases, and other records relating to CWA, FERA, and WPA programs, 1933-39.
Motion Pictures (105 reels): Produced or distributed by the Motion Picture Record Division and successors, relating to WPA, NYA, and CCC activities, 1931-41. Among the holdings are films documenting WPA educational and vocational training, public works, fine arts, flood relief activities, and cooperative programs with the National Rifle Association (NRA). Included are the noted government produced documentary films: "Hands," "Work Pays America," and "We Work Again."
Photographs (43,500 images): WPA programs and activities nationally, and in Washington, DC, New York City, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico; and WPA and New Deal officials, and celebrities, 1934-42 (N, NN, NS). SEE ALSO 69.10.
69.4.4 Records of the Division of Engineering and Construction
History: Created in December 1935. Responsible for planning and supervising construction projects for highways, airports, dams, and sanitation works.
Textual Records: Central classified files, 1935-43. Correspondence, reports, and statistical data, 1935-43. Administrative and project files of sections: Engineering Review, 1935-36; Municipal Engineering, 1937-40; Highway and Conservation, 1936-39; Airways and Airports, 1935-42; Project Application, 1936-40; Defense Coordination, 1941-42; and Safety, 1934-41.
Finding Aids: Estelle Rebec, comp., "Preliminary Checklist of Records of the Division of Engineering and Construction of the Work Projects Administration, 1935-43," PC 46-38 (1946).
Related Records: National defense project files are among the records of the Legislative and Liaison Division in RG 165, Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs.
Subject Access Terms: Lanham Act.
69.4.5 Records of the Division of Professional and Service Projects
History: Known successively as the Division of Professional and Service Projects, 1935-41, the Division of Community Service Programs, 1941-42, and the Service Division, 1942-43. Supervised federally sponsored "white collar" work relief projects including the federal arts programs and the recreation and education programs. For records relating to specific projects, SEE 69.5.
Textual Records: Index to division records in WPA central files, 1935-39. State narrative reports, 1935-39. Scrapbooks of "This Work Pays Your Community Week" exhibits by state offices, 1940- 41. National and state final reports, 1942-43. Final state reports of the women's, professional, and service projects, 1934- 37. Index to national and state final project and program reports, n.d.
Maps: Real property surveys in GA, 1939-41 (64 items). Cartographic studies at WPA New York office, 1939-40 (72 items). SEE ALSO 69.7.
Finding Aids: Francis T. Bourne, comp., "Preliminary Checklist of the Records of the Survey of Federal Archives, Work Projects Administration, 1935-43," PC 14 (June 1944); Betty Herscher, comp., "Preliminary Checklist of the Records of the Historical Records Survey, 1935-42," PC 45-6 (Mar. 1945).
69.4.6 Records of the Division of Investigation
History: Established by Bulletin No 11, June 26, 1935, as a successor to the FERA Division of Special Inquiry, to investigate complaints alleging fraud, misappropriation of funds, disloyalty, and other irregularities.
Textual Records: Miscellaneous correspondence, interoffice memorandums, and field reports, 1935-43. Microfilmed records (831 rolls) including FERA, CWA, and WPA investigation case files, with indexes, 1934-43; restitution case files, with indexes, 1935-43; FBI investigative reports, with indexes, 1934- 43; and field office and state investigative records, 1935-43.
69.4.7 Records of the Division of Finance
Textual Records: Correspondence with states relating to supply fund limitations, 1935-43. Restitution cases files relating to recovery of misappropriated funds, 1935-43, with name and state indexes. Microfilmed CWA, FERA, WPA, and NYA fiscal records, 1934-37 (15 rolls).
69.4.8 Records of the Division of Statistics
History: Known also as the Division of Social Research; the Division of Research, Statistics, and Finance; and the Division of Research, Records, and Statistics. SEE ALSO 69.3.8.
Textual Records: General administrative correspondence, statistical tabulations, and materials used at appropriation hearings, 1935-43. Microfilmed reports (425 rolls) of Area Statistical Offices, 1936-37; physical accomplishment and progress, 1937-42; the WPA scrap collection program, 1940-43; employment and expenditure, 1937-41; monthly and quarterly NYA statistics, 1937-41; and national defense employment, 1939-42.
69.4.9 Records of the Project Control Division
History: Responsible for examination and processing of project applications.
Textual Records (2,559 rolls of microfilm): General correspondence, 1935-43. Project applications, with reference cards, for general, 1935-44; federal, 1935-38; research, statistical, and survey, 1935-39; and nonstatistical projects, 1935-38. Records relating to sponsors' agreements, 1934-41; and to project status, 1935-42. Inspection reports, 1939-43. Research and records projects reference card files, 1941-42.
Microfilm Publications: T935, T936, T937.
69.4.10 Records of other WPA divisions
Textual Records: Correspondence, memorandums, reports, and other records of the Divisions of Management, 1940-43; Adjustment, 1934-35; Supply, 1940-43; Safety, 1934-41; Employment, 1935-36; Training and Reemployment, 1940-43; Records and Microphotography, 1937-43; Social Research, 1935-42; Recreation, 1935-43; Education, 1935-38; and Women's and Professional Projects, 1937.
69.5 RECORDS OF WPA PROJECTS
1934-43
History: The Division of Engineering and Construction and the Division of Professional and Service Projects administered WPA projects. The majority were planned, initiated, and sponsored by cities, counties, or states. WPA sponsored nationwide projects until 1939.
69.5.1 Administrative records of Federal Project No. 1
History: Federal arts program approved as WPA-sponsored Federal Project No. 1 on September 12, 1935, to provide employment for qualified artists, musicians, actors, and authors. Superseded all art projects operating under FERA or WPA state administrations. Consisted of the Federal Art, Music, Theatre, and Writers' Projects; and until October 1936, the Historical Records Survey. Terminated June 30, 1939. Except for the Federal Theater Project, abolished July 1939, the arts programs continued as state projects.
Textual Records: Records of the finance officer, 1935-39. Correspondence relating to quotas and budgets in states, 1936-39. Weekly statistical reports, 1936-37.
69.5.2 Records of the Federal Art Project (FAP)
History: Established in August 1935. Terminated September 1939 with instructions for states to allocate all project art work to eligible tax- supported public institutions.
Textual Records: General records, 1935-40. Correspondence with regional and state offices, 1935-40. Records relating to publicity and exhibitions, 1936- 37. Reports of the Exhibition Department, 1936-37. Scrapbook relating to National Art Week, Chicago, IL, 1941. Records of federal art projects in NY, NJ, and OH, 1934-42. Records relating to allocation of WPA works of art, 1937-43 (2 rolls of microfilm).
Photographs (10,903 images): General photographic file and state file documenting fine arts, practical arts, and art education; artists and their work; exhibits; art centers; officials and dignitaries such as FAP director Holder Cahill, and Eleanor Roosevelt, 1936-43 (AG, AS; 3,050 images). New York City art program, including artists and their work, 1935-43 (AN, ANM, ANS; 7,303 images). Depictions of life in New York City, including photographs by Sol Liebsohn, David Robbins, and Helen Levitt, 1935-39 (ANP, 550 images). SEE ALSO 69.10.
Subject Access Terms: Index of American Design.
69.5.3 Records of the Federal Music Project (FMP)
Textual Records: Narrative reports of state activities, 1935-40. Reports relating to education, 1936-40; employment, 1936-40; performance and attendance, 1936-40; and American composers, 1936-38. Records relating to folk music, 1936-40; the Composers Forum Laboratory, 1935-40; music festivals, 1935-40; and music research, 1935-36, including cowboy, Creole, and Negro folk music. Programs and schedules, 1936-40. Press clippings, 1936-40. Subject file of correspondence, reports, and press releases, 1936-40. Records relating to Nikolai Sokoloff, director, FMP, 1935-39, and Harry L. Hewes, project supervisor, 1936-40. Scrapbooks relating to the FMP activities in New York City, 1936-41.
69.5.4 Records of the Federal Theatre Project (FTP)
Textual Records: Correspondence of the national office, 1935-39, including that of Hallie Flanagan, National Director, 1937-39. Correspondence with regional and state offices, 1935-39. Statistical, narrative, and activity reports; lists of plays; and publicity material, 1935-39. Press clippings and releases, 1934- 39. Records relating to production of "It Can't Happen Here," 1936-37. Letters of commendation, 1935-39. Records relating to CCC entertainment, 1936-39. Vassar College collection of press clippings, programs, and promotional material relating to FTP, 1935-39. Correspondence and other records relating to the National Service Bureau, 1935-39.
Architectural and Engineering Plans (29 items): Blueprints showing floor plans, lighting plans, and stage scenery for FTP productions, 1938-39. SEE ALSO 69.7.
Photographs (25,092 images): FTP productions, 1935-39 (TMP, 92 items). Production scenes, sets, theaters, audiences, performances, playwrights, WPA officials, and politicians, 1935- 39 (TC, TS; 25,000 images). SEE ALSO 69.10.
Photographs, Original Drawings, and Paintings (333 images): FTP costumes and set designs, 1935-39 (TSR). SEE ALSO 69.10.
Posters (290 images): Advertising FTP productions, 1935-39 (TP). SEE ALSO 69.10.
Related Records: Federal Theatre Project archives are in the custody of the Special Collections, George Mason University Libraries, Fairfax, VA.
Subject Access Terms: Children's Theater; dance; Dies Committee; Dramatists' Guild; Federal Theatre National Advisory Board; Jaffe, Sam; "Living Newspaper"; marionette projects; Meredith, Burgess; Negro theater.
69.5.5 Records of the Federal Writers' Project (FWP)
History: Organized in 1935 to give employment to writers, editors, historians, researchers, art critics, archaeologists, geologists, and map draftsmen.
Textual Records: Central office correspondence and memorandums, field reports, manuals of instruction, and lists of consultants and references, 1935-39. Records relating to publishing, 1936-39, and to publicity, 1935-41. Correspondence relating to ethnic, ex- slave, folklore, architectural, Indian, and Negro studies, 1935- 40. Records relating to the American Guide, 1938-39, and the History of Grazing, 1940-42; state publications, 1936-41, and record cards of state sponsored publications, n.d.; and the Library of Congress Project Writers' unit, 1939-41. Records of the Massachusetts Writers' Project, 1935-40, including radio scripts and correspondence of the New Bedford, MA, district office. Correspondence and other records of the Los Angeles, CA, district office, 1935-37. Microfilmed records (3 rolls) concerning FWP copyrights, 1935-40; and the Alaska Writers' Guide, 1939-45.
Photographs (2,500 images): For use in American Guide series, including scenic, historical, cultural, and economic aspects of each state; Washington, DC; PR; and VI; and including also some scenes of Venezuela, 1936-42 (GU). SEE ALSO 69.10.
Finding Aids: Katherine H. Davidson, comp., Preliminary Inventory of the Records of the Federal Writers' Project, Work Projects Administration, 1935- 44, PI 57 (1953).
69.5.6 Records of the Historical Records Survey (HRS)
History: Organized in 1935 as part of the Federal Writers' Project, to document resources for research in U.S. history. Became an independent part of Federal Project No. 1 in October 1936; and a unit of the Research and Records Program, Professional and Service Division, in August 1939. Terminated February 1, 1943, pursuant to Presidential letter, December 4, 1942.
Textual Records: General project and editorial correspondence, 1936-42. Reports of progress, 1936-42; employment, 1936-39; and from field supervisors, 1936-42. Records of conferences and speeches, 1936-41. Project applications, 1936-39. Press clippings and publicity materials, 1936-42. Instruction manuals, n.d. Records relating to the origin of the Survey, 1934-36; and to collections of records and manuscripts, 1935-36. Microfilmed records (8 rolls) relating to the American Imprints Inventory, 1939-42. Voting lists and copies of statutes used in the Atlas of Congressional Roll Calls Project, 1937-41.
Maps (33,913 items): Atlas of Congressional Roll Calls Project, documenting the 1789-1941 geographic distribution of yea-nay roll call votes, boundaries of congressional districts, counties, federal court jurisdictions, and city wards, 1937-41. SEE ALSO 69.7.
Subject Access Terms: Evans, Luther H.
69.5.7 Records of the Survey of Federal Archives (SFA)
History: Organized in January 1936 as Federal Project No. 4, with the National Archives as cooperating sponsor. Became part of Historical Records Survey, on a reduced basis, in June 1937. Terminated June 30, 1942.
Textual Records: General records including correspondence, memorandums, reports, and bulletins, 1935-42. Correspondence with regional offices, 1936- 43. Abstracts pertaining to the progress and coordination of state surveys, ca. 1936-43; area index pertaining to state administrative activities, n.d; survey reports on motion picture, photographic, and sound recording collections, 1936-40. Project superintendents' reports, 1936-37. Reports of the location, title, and dates of each series of records surveyed, 1936-40. Survey of nonfederal records, 1936- 40. Manuscripts, 1936-42.
Photographs (3,000 images): Survey of federal archives, 1936-41 (SFA). SEE ALSO 69.10.
Finding Aids: Francis T. Bourne, comp., "Preliminary Checklist of the Records of the Survey of Federal Archives, Work Projects Administration, 1935-43," PC14 (1944).
69.5.8 Records of the Research and Records Project
History: Assembled and analyzed statistical information for WPA- sponsored projects.
Textual Records: Project application files, general administrative correspondence, reports and unpublished studies, procedural material, statistical data, and copies of publications; charts and related records pertaining to surveys and projects, ca. 1935-42; and final project reports, 1935-42.
Related Records: Record copies of publications of the Research and Records Project in RG 287, Publications of the U.S. Government.
69.5.9 Records of the National Research Project (NRP)
History: Studied changes in industrial techniques and their effects on the volume of employment and unemployment. Most of its records were turned over to the Bureaus of Labor Statistics and Agricultural Economics.
Textual Records: Reports, memorandums, and correspondence, 1941- 42. Statistical reports of the survey of American listed corporations, 1938-1942.
Photographs (800 images): Workers, working conditions, and housing in fourteen industrial communities, by Lewis Hine, NRP chief photographer, 1936-37 (RP, RPA, RPM, RPR). SEE ALSO 69.10.
Photographic Prints (800 images): Illustrations for reports showing workers engaged in agricultural, manufacturing, mining, and transportation occupations, 1936-40 (RH). SEE ALSO 69.10.
69.5.10 Records of the Public Work Reserve Project
History: Studied proposed postwar projects.
Textual Records: Correspondence, consultant files, and project summaries, 1941-42. Records relating to 6-year state plans, defense and war projects, scrap collection program, and service projects, 1941-42.
69.5.11 Records of other WPA projects
Textual Records: Administrative correspondence and procedural manuals of library service and newspaper indexing projects, 1935- 42; Library of Congress project to inventory and arrange records of WPA arts projects, 1940-41; the workers service program, 1935- 43; and a project to teach Spanish to members of the Army Air Forces, 1941-42. Reports and miscellaneous records of the recreation program, 1934-43. Entry slips of the bibliography of territories and island possessions. Records of the social service training program, 1934-36.
Textual Records (10,886 rolls of microfilm): Correspondence, administrative files, project folders, sponsors' reports, ledgers, organizational and functional charts, accomplishment reports, and other records, 1935-43, for the following states and territories:
| State | Rolls | State | Rolls | State | Rolls | State | Rolls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AL | 190 | IL | 583 | NC | 138 | RI | 88 |
| AR | 116 | IN | 246 | ND | 117 | SC | 227 |
| AZ | 36 | KS | 208 | NE | 155 | SD | 214 |
| CA | 634 | KY | 377 | NH | 45 | TN | 149 |
| CO | 313 | LA | 144 | NJ | 373 | TX | 96 |
| CT | 136 | MA | 520 | NM | 95 | UT | 62 |
| DC | 47 | MD | 63 | NV | 14 | VA | 47 |
| DE | 23 | ME | 67 | NY | 1019 | VT | 93 |
| FL | 169 | MI | 231 | OH | 590 | WA | 72 |
| GA | 239 | MN | 182 | OK | 386 | WI | 278 |
| HI | 4 | MO | 363 | OR | 112 | WV | 215 |
| IA | 155 | MS | 128 | PA | 884 | WY | 57 |
| ID | 85 | MT | 74 | PR | 27 |
69.6.2 Records of the Massachusetts WPA
Textual Records (in Boston): General administrative records of the Massachusetts WPA administrator, and records relating to the Salem, MA, Customs House Restoration Project, 1938-41 (in Boston).
Engravings (11 images, in Boston): Linoleum block engravings of eleven historical buildings, 1930's. SEE ALSO 69.10.
69.6.3 Records of the California WPA
Textual Records (in San Francisco): Records of the San Francisco office of the Survey of Federal Archives, consisting of survey sheets, 1936-38; and records relating to the WPA Ships Registry Project for ships registered between 1850 and 1910 at the port of San Francisco, 1938-40. Records of Hope L. Cahill, director of the Division of Professional Service Projects, and state director, Division of Community Service Programs, 1936-42.
69.7 TEXTUAL RECORDS (GENERAL) 1931-44
Reports and correspondence pertaining to relief programs in Puerto Rico, 1934-44; Private relief bill case files, 1938-44; Name index to litigation case files, n.d.; Litigation case files, 1934-44; Project indexes to microfilmed records, n.d.; Copies of speeches, articles, and related records, 1931-43; indexes to microfilmed state records, ca. 1935-43; original project records retained after microfilming (film illegible), 1935-43; WPA library card indexes, n.d.; Historical records survey and survey of federal archives publications, 1936-41; Bibliography of territories and possessions, n.d.; Miscellaneous scrapbooks, ca. 1939-41; Records of the Public Work Reserve Project, 1941-42; Records pertaining to the Central Statistical Board, 1933-40; Procedural records relating to state work projects administrative offices, 1935-38; General administrative and procedural records, ca. 1935-41; Miscellaneous administrative and project records, 1935-44.
69.8 CARTOGRAPHIC RECORDS (GENERAL)
1933-40
Maps: Mostly published and blueprint city and county transportation, land, and census study maps resulting from various WPA projects (155 items). Included are Buffalo NY railroad survey blueprints; maps of Philadelphia PA showing juvenile delinquency by census tract; maps of St. Paul MN census tracts; city of Madison WI; town of Wilton NH; town of Northhamnpton MA (Sanborn Company insurance maps); Lincoln and Vilas counties, WI (showing C.C.C. camps and other features); and maps of Hancock County MS showing land use (manuscript in color). There is also a map of the United States showing Land Office meridians and baselines. Percent of U.S. population receiving federal relief, by counties, 1933-36 (2 items). U.S. outline map, n.d. (1 item). Florida functional conservation map, 1940 (1 item). WPA work districts, 1936 (1 item).
SEE Maps UNDER 69.3.1, 69.4.5, and 69.5.6. SEE Architectural and Engineering Plans UNDER 69.5.4.
69.9 MOTION PICTURES (GENERAL)
SEE 69.4.3.
69.10 SOUND RECORDINGS (GENERAL)
1936-42
Sound Recordings: Performances by FMP groups, many with intermission talks by prominent persons about WPA work, 1936-42 (140 items). Radio broadcasts, 1937-42 (265 items), including FTP programs, 1937-39. FMP performance recordings featured both established and lesser-known musicians. Included among the programs are: a thirteen (13) part series on the history of jazz; individual concert band performances; those of folk singers; of symphony orchestras; of acappella choirs; of madrigal singers; of string quartets; and of jazz bands. Radio programs sponsored by Democratic National Committee in support of New Deal programs, n.d. (6 items); and by Department of the Treasury urging the purchase of U.S. savings bonds, n.d. (4 items). Drama produced by the Resettlement Administration, n.d. (1 item); Department of Agriculture program on conservation, n.d. (1 item); and a program about the White House made by the National Broadcasting Company for the Federal Housing Administration, n.d. (1 item).
69.11 STILL PICTURES (GENERAL)
1922-44
Photographs (3,484 images): Documenting program, activities, and personnel of WPA, FERA, and FWA, including pictures taken during area studies of AL, IA, OH, and PA; exhibits, construction projects, conservation, health and sanitation efforts; employed and unemployed workers; WPA art, music, theater and writing activities; and WPA officials, including Florence Kerr, 1934-42 (MP, 3,300 images). Defense-related projects such as construction of airports, roads, armories, training camps, and navy yards, 1935-42 (DC, 184 images).
Photographic Prints (10,765 images): WPA professionals in New York City at work in white collar positions, 1935-39 (NY, 700 images). Public Works Administration projects, such as highways, public buildings, bridges, dams, schools, sewer systems, and power plants, 1936-42 (PWA, 3,500 images). Hurricane and flood damage in CT, MA, RI, VT, and NH, 1938 (MPH, 150 images). Prints used in Reports on Progress of the Works Program, 1935-41 (PS, 446 images); and in reports highlighting state accomplishments, 1935-43 (PR, 3,439 images). State WPA projects, primarily TX, 1937-41 (PT, 2,530 images).
Photographic Negatives (1,205 images): Program activities of the Public Housing Administration, U.S. Housing Authority, Public Road Administration, and the Federal Works Agency, 1939-44 (B, H, R, F).
Color Transparencies (28 images): FWA, WPA, Public Roads Administration, U.S. Housing Authority, Office of Civil Defense, and Office of Price Administration activities and projects, including a Key West, FL, housing project, a Middle River, MD, nursery school, and a San Diego, CA, school, 1940-42 (C).
Aerial Photographs (11,000 images): Vertical and oblique views of airports and airport sites collected by the WPA Airways and Airport Section and used in an historical survey of U.S. airport systems, 1922-40 (AAA, AAB, AAC, AAN).
SEE Photographs UNDER 69.2.1, 69.4.3, 69.5.2, 69.5.4, 69.5.5, 69.5.7, and 69.5.9. SEE Photographic Prints UNDER 69.3.1 and 69.5.9. SEE Photographs, Original Drawings, and Paintings UNDER 69.5.4. SEE Posters UNDER 69.5.4. SEE Engravings UNDER 69.6.2.
Bibliographic note: Web version based on Guide to Federal Records in the National Archives of the United States. Compiled by Robert B. Matchette et al. Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1995.
3 volumes, 2428 pages.
This Web version is updated from time to time to include records processed since 1995.
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