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Kansas Museum Project, Work Projects Administration weaving portfolios

 Collection
Call Number: RH MS Q287

Overview

These two portfolios were put together as part of a weaving series by the Kansas Museum Project, Works Projects Administration (WPA), Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas. The WPA's Kansas Museum Project provided training in various crafts and skills. People hired under the auspices of the Kansas Museum Project produced artworks and over 100 tax-supported institutions in Kansas acquired objects from the Project to use as visual teaching aids. These examples of hand weaving were prepared to help teach the art of weaving. One portfolio, prepared in 1939, illustrates 14 examples of Colonial coverlet patterns. The other portfolio, prepared in 1940, displays 14 examples of fabric weaves. The portfolios also include weaving patterns or instructions for most of the examples.

Dates

  • Creation: 1939 - 1940

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.

History of the Work Projects Administration and Kansas Museum Project

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) was a relief agency set up in 1935 by President Franklin Roosevelt as the Works Progress Administration. The name of the agency was changed to the Work Projects Administration in 1939. Established to alleviate widespread unemployment, it sought to increase the purchasing power of persons on relief by employing them on useful projects and by training them in various skills and crafts. Thousands of people worked on contruction projects and assisted with educational projects. To promote the arts and culture, people were hired and trained to paint murals, make exhibits and models for schools, libraries and museums, etc.

Extent

2 volume : Each portfolio has a wooden binding. ; 31 x 37.5 cm

Language of Materials

English

Physical Location

RH MS Q287

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Transfer, University of Kansas Archives, 1995

Title
Guide to the Kansas Museum Project, Work Projects Administration Collection
Subtitle
Kansas Museum Project, Work Projects Administration weaving portfolios
Author
Finding aid prepared by mab, 2008; Finding aid encoded by mab, 2008
Date
2008
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Finding aid written in <language encodinganalog="language">English.</language>
Finding aid permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/10407/5017064881
Preferred citation
Kansas Museum Project, Works Projects Administration Collection , Kansas Collection, RH MS Q287, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas Libraries

Repository Details

Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository

Contact:
1450 Poplar Lane
Lawrence KS 66045-7616 United States
785-864-4334