Historical Records Survey
The Historical Records Survey (HRS) was a project of the Works Progress Administration New Deal program in the United States. Originally part of the Federal Writers' Project, it was devoted to surveying and indexing historically significant records in state, county and local archives. The official mission statement was the "discovery, preservation, and listing of basic materials for research in the history of the United States". The creation of the Historical Records Survey was one of the signal events "in what Solon Buck called the 'archival awakening' of the 1930s".
WPA HRS publications from TN, ME, UT & DC
South Dakota Historical Records Survey publication (1942)
Publications from MO, MS, RI, and NJ
"WPA worker typing old historical records" in Kentucky
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was an American New Deal agency that employed millions of jobseekers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads. It was set up on May 6, 1935, by presidential order, as a key part of the Second New Deal.
FDR prepares to speak about the establishment of the work relief program and Social Security at his fireside chat of April 28, 1935.
FERA administrator and WPA head Harry Hopkins speaking to reporters (November 1935)
WPA road development project
FDR and Hopkins (September 1938)