Federal Writers' Project of California Records, 1930-1942
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http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt2h4nf1np No online items Finding Aid for the Federal Writers' Project of California records, 1930-1942 Processed by Joanna Black; original register comprises notes compiled by George Sanchez; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé. A portion of the processing of this collection was generously supported by Arcadia funds. UCLA Library Special Collections Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library Box 951575 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575 Email: [email protected] URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/special/scweb/ © 2011 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved. Finding Aid for the Federal 306 1 Writers' Project of California records, 1930-1942 Descriptive Summary Title: Federal Writers' Project of California records Date (inclusive): 1930-1942 Collection number: 306 Creator: Federal Writers' Project (Calif.) Extent: 206 document boxes (103 linear ft.)1 oversized box (1 linear ft.)1 flat box (.5 linear ft.)1 oversized folder (3 linear ft.) Abstract: Records of the Southern California section of the Federal Writers' Project, including writing and research for the WPA Guide to California, the Los Angeles guide, the local history research material (never published), art object inventory, records of personnel, war and civilian defense material, and administrative documents. The bulk of material focuses on Guide Book research and material for Los Angeles and other Southern California regions. Language: Finding aid is written in English. Repository: University of California, Los Angeles. Library of Special Collections. Los Angeles, California 90095-1575 Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information. Restrictions on Access COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information. Restrictions on Use and Reproduction Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright. Provenance/Source of Acquisition Collection acquired prior to October, 1948. Processing Information Collection minimally processed by Joanna Black in the Center for Primary Research and Training (CFPRT), with assistance from Kelley Wolfe Bachli, 2010. Past processing of a portion of the collection by George Sanchez, 1986. Folder titles have been maintained from their original titles, as provided by the Federal Writers' Project. Because of this, discrepancies exist in folder title structures, spellings, and organizations. Files have been divided into series and subseries according to primary subjects, as interpreted by the collection processor. Some overlap between subjects does exist, but files were placed within the section determined as most relevant. A portion of the processing of this collection was generously supported by Arcadia funds. Preferred Citation [Identification of item], Federal Writers' Project of California records (Collection 306). Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA. UCLA Catalog Record ID UCLA Catalog Record ID: 4233009 Biography The Federal Writers' Project began in 1935 under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal program, as part of the Works Progress Administration. Employing writers, researchers, editors, historians, and other field workers, FWP is best known for compiling the American Guide Series books that detailed the histories of each state. This collection is from the Southern California branch of the FWP and contains essays and research relating to city and county government, social and cultural institutions, commerce and industry, arts and culture, sports and recreation, local history and folklore, war and civilian defense, and municipalities and cities, as well as numerous other subjects used toward FWP assignments. The program ended in 1943 after state and federal sponsorship halted. Scope and Content Records of the Southern California section of the WPA Guide to California, the Los Angeles guide, the local history research material (never published), war and civil defense documents, records of personnel, and some administrative documents. Included is material on ethnic minorities, flora and fauna, labor and industry, churches, art, the impact of war on Southern Finding Aid for the Federal 306 2 Writers' Project of California records, 1930-1942 California, archaeological materials, cities, civilian defense, agriculture, health, sports and recreation, folklore, LA World War II posters, Hollywood Writers' Mobilization, and project employee files. Indexing Terms The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog. Subjects Federal Writers' Project (Calif.)--Archives. California--Guidebooks--Archival resources. Los Angeles (Calif.)--Description and travel. Administrative Information 1935-1942 Scope and Content This series contains materials relating to the administrative form and function of the Federal Writers’ Project, including guides, instructions, and standards for how to create material for the American Guide Manual, memos from the program director Henry G. Alsberg, financial and other administrative reports, indexes, and notes. Dates range generally from 1935 to 1942. Mixed materials 3, American Guide Manual and Suppliments to #9-C 1935-1937 Folder 2 Box 3, Folders 4-5 American Guide Manual - Supplimentary Instructions 1936-1938 Box 3, Folder 6 American Guide Manual - Supplimentary Instructions #10 1936 Box 3, Folder 7 American Guide Manual - Supplimentary Instructions #15 1936 Scope and Content "Supplement 15 X - Arrangement of Material for City Guide Box 4, Folder 2 Federal Works Agency 1938-1941 Scope and Content Materials related to the Works Progress Administration; contains memos, blank forms, procedures for all state Works Progress Administrators Box 14, Folder 7 Supplement 11 - Table of Contents and Tours for State Guide Book 1935-1938 Box 93, Folder 2 American Guide - Handling of Copy For no date Box 121, Folder 5 Supplement Box 138, Folder 1 Index Cards - Books Divided by Topic (Origin Unknown) no date Scope and Content May be card catalog records for library books used in Guide book research; includes Dewey Decimal Classification numbers; orgin of these records is unknown Box 146, Folder 8 Office - Forms, Reports, Instructions, Etc. - Miscellaneous 1942 Scope and Content Contains primarily hand-written notes and memos Box 153, Folder 1 Library Material - Inventory - January 1942 1940 Box 153, Folder 5 Music - Federal Music Project WPA 1936-1938 Box 154, Folder 2 Manual for Instructions for Indexes 1941 Box 157, Folder 4 Financial Reports - SRA (Sponsor) Contributions 1940 Box 157, Folder 5 52-C Forms - Carbon Copies 1940 Scope and Content Employees daily attendance records Box 162, Folder 3 The Factbook Manual 1940 Finding Aid for the Federal 306 3 Writers' Project of California records, 1930-1942 Administrative Information 1935-1942 State: Time Sheets 1937-1938 Box 203, Folder 2 Supplement 11-A - General Information and Misc. Notes 1937 Scope and Content Removed from box 3 because of space limitations Box 3, Folder 8 State: Time Sheets 1937-1938 Box 14, Folder 8 Memorandum - Henry G. Alsberg, Director 1936-1939 Art Object Inventory 1940-1942 Scope and Content This series consists of inventory lists for various southern California museums and art collections, with the majority inventoried in 1942. Series is divided into two subseries: Los Angeles County-based art object inventory and Southern California, or non LA County, art object inventory. Materials are inventoried using WPA HR forms numbered 12-22. Dates range from 1940 to 1942. LA Art Object Inventory 1940-1942 Scope and Content Includes inventory primarily from the Los Angeles County Museum at Exposition Park, University of California Library, Southwest Museum, Pony Express Museum, and Mission San Fernando. Also includes some inventory from private collectors. Dates range from 1940 to 1942. Box 6, Folders 1-2 LA County Museum, Exposition Park, 16HR Forms 1942 Box 6, Folder 3 LA County Museum, Exposition Park, History Material 1942 Box 6, Folder 4 Collections Inventory 1941-1942 Box 6, Folder 5 LA County Museum 1942 Box 6, Folders 6-8 LA Country Museum, Exposition Park, 16HR Forms 1942 Box 9, Folder 1 LA County Museum, Mission San Fernando, 16HR Forms 1942 Box 9, Folder 2 LA County Museum, Frank McCoy (Private Owner), 16 HR Forms 1942 Box 9, Folder 3 LA County Museum, Southwest Museum, 16HR Forms 1942 Box 9, Folder 4 Oregon Oddities Radio Series, The Barlow Trail by Claire Warner Churchill 1940 Box 9, Folder 5 LA County Museum, Ed. G. Gilmore, 16HR Forms 1942 Box 9, Folder 6 LA County Museum, Tom Pete McCain, 16HR forms 1942 Box 9, Folder 7 LA County Museum, San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce, 16HR Forms 1942 Box 9, Folder 9 16HR Forms, including Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc. 1942 Box 9, Folder 12 Mrs. Serena Friend, 16HR forms 1942 Box 9, Folder 14 Private Owners, 16HR Forms 1942 Box 9, Folder 15 16HR Forms 1942 Box 9, Folders LA County Museum, Exposition Park, 16HR Forms