About This Collection
Arranged numerically by job number, the following subseries are typed transcripts of field notes, pre-final drafts and final drafts of manuscripts, and photographs selected to illustrate the American Guide Series. The federal project was designed to provide work for unemployed writers during the Great Depression by publishing comprehensive historical guides for each state. In Pennsylvania the project resulted in publication of a number of topical and county guides. Information given is title of guide, name of reporter, name of town or county, date, name of typist, signature of proofreader, and source of the information including title, name of author and library call number, and the transcript of the text. Information accompanying the photographs provides the title of the guide, job number, photograph number, subject, name of photographer, name to appear in credit line, and region where taken. Though most of the photographs are by Federal Writers' Project Photographer Frederick Ritter, many were obtained from local newspapers, freelance photographers, local chambers of commerce, private businesses, and such state agencies as the Department of Forests and Waters, Department of Highways, and Department of Commerce. Among those provided by the United States Farm Security Administration the photographers included Walker Evans, Carl Mydans, Arthur Rothstein, and Ben Shahn. In addition to published American Guide Series volumes mentioned in the series described below, the Federal Writers' Project also resulted in publication of "The Floods of Johnstown" sponsored by Johnstown's Mayor's Committee (Johnstown: 1939) and "A Picture of Clinton County" sponsored by the Commissioners of Clinton County (Williamsport: 1942). Related materials located in Manuscript Group 400, Works Progress Administration Records [ca. 1766-1909] include an assortment of commissioner minutes, quarter sessions dockets, assessment lists, and road books for Clearfield, Clinton, Lycoming, Potter, and Union Counties and newspaper transcripts for both these counties as well as Northumberland County. For a history of the Federal Writers' Project see "The Dream and the Deal, The Federal Writers' Project, 1935-1943" by Jerre Mangione (Philadelphia: 1983). For a history of the entire federal arts program see "Federal Relief Administration and the Arts, The Origins and Administrative History of Arts Projects of the Works Progress Administration" by William F. McDonald (Ohio State University Press: 1969).