Research


Scope and Content Note

These are letters of commendation written to the Service Division and Operatons Division for various art, music, adult education programs, and infrastructure projects sponsored by the "Works Progress Administration of New York State," under auspices of the State Education Department. They contain considerable information about WPA cultural and educational programs in New York State (outside of New York City).

Volumes 1-4: These volumes contain letters written to the Service Division, which presented musical and theatrical performances, managed nursery schools, conducted adult education programs (sometimes in correctional facilities), assisted in city planning, and conducted tax assessment surveys.

Volumes 5-10: These volumes contain letters written to the Operations Division, which worked on infrastructure projects such as sidewalk, road, and sewer repair and construction.

There are separate county indexes for both divisions. Each letter is assigned a serial number corresponding in sequence to receipt of the letter. The index shows correspondent and title, institution, address, and subject. The index for the Operations Division also shows project number.