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Archives of American Art
Historical American Records Survey portrait survey records
Summary
- Collection ID:
- AAA.histreco
- Creators:
-
Historical Records Survey (U.S.)
- Dates:
-
1935-1942
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
4.4 Linear feet(on 12 microfilm reels)
- Repository:
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
Records documenting activities of the Survey to inventory portraits in America done before 1860 in the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Scope and Contents
Included are research documents; correspondence; interoffice memoranda; survey manuals; press releases; clippings; photographs of works of art; short biographies of sitters and artists; ca. 15,000 of the original survey cards; first drafts of checklists and catalogs; and lists of portraits received too late to be included in the final version of the catalog.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
The Historical Records Survey (HRS) had its origins in the Federal Emergency Relief Administration and the Civil Works Administration. In 1935 it came under the auspices of the Works Progress Administration Federal Writers' Project and eventually was designated as an independent program under Federal Project No. One. The projects, ideally suited for white collar workers, employed individuals to survey, classify and collect historical records. One program of the HRS was to document American portraits (sculpture, prints and paintings) done before 1860.
Administration
Existence and Location of Copies
35mm microfilm reels 1238-1249 available for use at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.
Existence and Location of Originals
Originals returned to the State House, Boston, Mass. after microfilming.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Lent for microfilming by the Massachusetts State Library, A. Hunter Rineer, State Librarian, Boston, Mass., 1977.
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access
The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.
More Information
Other Finding Aids
Other Finding Aids
Microfilm inventory available at Archives of American Art offices, filed under Historical Records Survey.
Keywords
Archives of American Art
750 9th Street, NW
Victor Building, Suite 2200
Washington, D.C. 20001
https://www.aaa.si.edu/services/questions