Works Progress Administration oral histories collection

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:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)

Preferred citation:

Works Progress Administration oral histories collection, C0153, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
16 Linear Feet 43 boxes
Creator:
George Mason University. Institute on the Federal Theatre Project and New Deal Culture
Abstract:
Collection includes transcripts and recordings of 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, C0153, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of oral history 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.

Series 1: Transcripts consists of typewritten and handwritten photocopies of transcripts of oral histories created between 1961 and 1984 by the Research Center on the Federal Theatre Project. Some folders also contain correspondence and photographs of the interviewee. This series is arranged alphabetically by last name of interviewee.

Series 2: Audio Recordings consists of two subseries: Oral history interviews, and Plays, radio interviews, conferences. Subseries 2.1: Oral history interviews contains audio cassette tapes and reel-to-reel recordings. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by last name of interviewee. The oral histories were created between 1961 and 1984 by the Research Center on the Federal Theatre Project at George Mason University. Subseries 2.2: Plays, radio interviews, conferences contains audio cassette tapes and reel-to-reel recordings of various federal theatre performances, interviews, and conferences that date from 1938 to 1984 and is arranged alphabetically by title.

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. Cassettes of cast recordings and conferences were also created by 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 Research Center staff. EAD markup completed by Eron Ackerman and Jordan Patty in March 2009. Series 2 added in November 2013 by Greta Kuriger Suiter. Finding aid updated by Amanda Brent in March 2022.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in two series based on format - transcripts and recordings. Series 2 is divided into two subseries by content - oral histories; plays, radio interviews, and conferences.

Organized into two series:

Series
  1. Series 1: Transcripts, 1961-1984 (Boxes 1-11)
  2. Series 2: Audio Recordings, 1938-1984 (Boxes 12-41)
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard