Works Progress Administration oral histories collection, 1961/1984

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

Collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Works Progress Administration oral histories collection, Collection #C0153, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University.

Summary

Extent:
7 linear feet (11 boxes)
Creator:
George Mason University. Institute on the Federal Theatre Project and New Deal Culture
Abstract:
This compilation describes oral interviews with persons who were associated with various Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects in the 1930s. These include the Federal Art Project, Federal Music Project, and Federal Writers Project.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Works Progress Administration oral histories collection, Collection #C0153, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University.

Background

Scope and content:

This compilation describes oral interviews with persons who were associated with various Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects in the 1930s. These include the Federal Art Project, Federal Music Project, and Federal Writers Project.

The interviews (transcripts and tapes) are arranged in alphabetical order by the subject's last name. The date of the interview is included along with the type of work or position held by the interviewee during the 1930s, with the location when known. The name of the interviewer(s) follows. In some cases a notation is made indicating that an interview is untaped. If the interview was a joint one, this information is noted. The type of media available (abstract, letter, notes, tape, and/or transcript)is then listed along with the number of pages or minutes of each type. Restrictions that may apply to certain interviews is the last information in an entry.

List of Abbreviations:

CCC - Civilian Conservation Corps, FAP - Federal Art Project, FERA - Federal Emergency Relief Administration, FMP - Federal Music Project, FTP - Federal Theatre Project, FWP - Federal Writers Project, GSA - General Services Administration, NYA - National Youth Administration, SECT - Section of Painting and Sculpture, WPA - Works Projects Adminstration

Biographical / historical:

The interviews in the WPA Oral Histories Collection were conducted from between 1961 and 1984. The majority of the interviews were done in the 1970s and 1980s by Lorraine Brown and John O'Connor as part of the Institute on the Federal Theatre Project and New Deal Culture.

Acquisition information:
Donated by the Institute on the Federal Theatre Project and New Deal Culture.
Processing information:

Processed by Special Collections and Archives staff. EAD markup completed by Eron Ackerman and Jordan Patty in March 2009.

In 2009, staff discovered that a number of the interviews listed in the finding aid were not actually located in the boxes. Those interview names are still included in alphabetical order in the finding aid, but they are unnumbered signifying that no folder exists.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged alphabetically by last name of interviewee.