Federal Writers' Project, Duluth (Minn.) records

Collection

Identifier: S3000

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection largely consists of typewritten manuscripts and notes collected for use in the state and regional guides. Other records included are correspondence, photos, and reference materials.

Correspondence, 1936-1942, consists of a few items concerning the St. Louis County Historical Society.

Minutes cover three meetings between the WPA division and the Minnesota Arrowhead Association from April 28 to June 2, 1939.

Reference Materials, 1937-1940, include news clippings covering supervisor Kellen's dismissal and two photos of the project's administrators.

Writer's Manuscripts and Notes, 1935-1941, are divided into a subject and author file. There is considerable duplication between the two, though neither file is complete. There are inconsistencies among subject headings, and a specific topic should be checked under a related subject. The "manuscripts" are about 1-10 pages long and include author and source of information. Subjects are reflected in the author file (there are only 5 women authors out of 31 total authors) since the writers would often specialize in a topic. The subject file includes extensive information on the Duluth Fire Department, Duluth Theater and other city organizations.

Dates

Creation: 1935-1942

Creator

Federal Writers’ Project (Duluth, Minn.) (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Open for use in the Kathryn A. Martin Library, Archives and Special Collections.

Conditions Governing Use

This collection may be protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials. Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law.

Biographical / Historical

The Federal Writer's Project of the Works Progress Administration was intended to provide work for the unemployed during the depression of the 1930s. The Duluth division of the Project was created in 1935 and began collecting material for the Minnesota state guide and the Arrowhead region guide. R. S. Learch served as district supervisor until 1930, when he was replaced by Ernest A. Kellen, who occupied the post until 1939. The Minnesota Arrowhead Country (Chicago, 1941) was sponsored by the Minnesota Arrowhead Association, headed by Margaret Culkin Banning. The division also contributed to Minnesota: A State Guide (New York, 1938) and some unpublished works. Other projects pursued by the Duluth division include histories of the Duluth Fire Department and Duluth Theater, French and Finnish translations, and ethnic studies. The division's work was terminated in 1942.

Extent

4.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The collection largely consists of typewritten manuscripts and notes collected for use in the state and regional guides. Other records included are correspondence, photos, and reference materials.

Physical Location

This collection is located at the University of Minnesota Duluth Archives. For more information about this collection or to make an appointment, contact us at libarchives@d.umn.edu or 218-726-8526.