1 Reply Latest reply on Mar 16, 2021 2:48 PM by Charleen Vocca

    Seeking WPA records of Museum Extension Project

    Kate Linderman Newbie
    Kate Linderman Mar 10, 2021 6:40 PM

      Looking for records of the Indiana Museum Extension Project/Program that created visual aids for libraries and schools.  We have a collection of WPA-made visual aids (furniture mainly) that was made in the Evansville, Indiana WPA Community Center sometime between 1939-1942 (ish).  I believe Evansville was the only location in Indiana that produced historic furniture to scale as visual aids. That's about all the information I have on Indiana's program.  I'm reaching out on a state level but wondering what (if anything) might be available at the National Archives.

        • Re: Seeking WPA records of Museum Extension Project
          Charleen Vocca Wayfarer
          Charleen Vocca Expert Mar 16, 2021 2:48 PM (in response to Kate Linderman)

          Dear Ms. Linderman,

           

          Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

           

          We searched the National Archives Catalog and located State Project Reports and Research Publications, 1933 - 1943; Subject Files, 1935 - 1943, and Administrative and Operational Correspondence Relating to Indiana, 1935 - 1944 in the Records of the Work Projects Administration (Record Group 69) that may have records of interest to your research.  Please review the series for File Units 651.31 and up for specific categories of interest relating to the WPA in Indiana.  For information about these records, please contact the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RDT2) via email at Archives2reference@nara.gov.

           

          Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to guidance received from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), NARA has adjusted its normal operations to balance the need of completing its mission-critical work while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of NARA staff. As a result of this re-prioritization of activities, you may experience a delay in receiving an initial acknowledgment as well as a substantive response to your reference request from RDT2. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience.

           

          We located the following from the Lilly Library at Indiana State University, Archives Online at Indiana University that may be helpful, as they contain the papers of John Kaley Jennings, a WPA administrator during the timeframe you are researching.  Please review the collection and contact the library for further information on accessing any documents of interest.

           

          We hope this information is helpful. Best of luck with your research!