Series IX: Works Progress Administration Post Office Murals.

Containers:
Othertype 1
Extent:
Extent: 1 cabinet.
Scope and content:

The W. P.A. Mural series documents original art work commissioned by the Works Progress Administration's, Section of Fine Arts for public buildings during 1934-1943. Popularly called "The Section", the operation was headed by Edward Bruce, and administered by the Procurement Division of the Treasury Department. The program operated as incentive to put artisans to work during the Depression years by awarding commissions for installation of murals in public buildings. Calos concentrated on recording murals still accessible in Post Offices throughout Virginia from 1997 to 2001. It should be noted that several have been removed to new locations since the time of photography.

Arrangement:

Maintained in original order.

W

.P.A. MURAL ARTISTS REPRESENTED IN THIS COLLECTION:
  • Artist - Life Dates - Location of Mural
  • Edmund Archer (1904-1986) - Hopewell
  • Auriel Bessemer (1909-1986) - Arlington
  • Sarah Blakeslee - Strasburg
  • Florence Bessom (b.1905) - Staunton
  • Paul Cadmus (1994-1999) - Richmond Parcel Post Building
  • William H. Calfee (1909-1955) - Harrisonburg, Petersburg, Phoebus, and Tazewell
  • Walter Carnelli (1905-1959) - Bassett
  • William Abbott Cheever - Smithfield
  • Alexander B. Clayton (b.1906) - Radford (mural covered)
  • John E. Costigan (1888-1972) - Stuart
  • Carson Davenport (1908-1972) - Chatham
  • John W. de Groot - christiansburg
  • Mary B. Fowler - Newport News, Virginia Beach Customs House
  • Jared French (1905-1987) - Richmond Parcel Post Building
  • Arnold Friedman (1874-1946) - Orange County
  • Roy Hilton (1891-1963) - Rockymount
  • Sheffield Kagy (1907-1989) - Luray
  • Richard Kenah (1907-1982) - Bluefield
  • Edwin S. Lewis - Berryville and Petersburg
  • Herman Maril (1908-1986) - Alta Vista
  • Daniel Olney (b. 1909) - Marion
  • John H.R. Pickett - Virginia Beach
  • Andree Ruellan (b.1905) - Emporia
  • Lenore Thomas (1909-1988) - Covington

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888
Parent restrictions:
Collection is open to research.
Parent terms of access:
Permission to publish material from the Pete Calos Photograph Collection must be obtained from Prints and Photographs Department, Special Collections Branch, Library of Virginia.

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