Guide to the NPS Western Museum Laboratories Photo Cards

This finding aid describes the National Park Service (NPS) Western Museum Laboratories Photo Cards, part of the NPS History Collection. To search this guide for names, places, key words, or phrases enter Ctrl F on your keyboard (command key + F key on a Mac). Request an in-person research appointment or get more information by contacting the archivist.

Artists in the Western Museum Laboratories flat art department. (NPS History Collection, HFCA 1607)

Collection Overview

Collection Number: HFCA 1607 (Series VIII)
Accession Numbers: HFCA-00031; HFCA-00064; HFCA-00517
Creator: National Park Service
Title: NPS Western Museum Laboratories Photo Cards
Dates: 1884-1978 (Bulk dates: 1929-1941)
Volume of Collection: 26.0 LF
Language of Materials: English

Digitized copies: Only a small number of images from this collection have been digitized.

Conditions Governing Use: This collection is open to research use. Most images were taken by NPS employees. However, images by non-NPS photographers are also present and their copyright status is unknown. See https://rightsstatements.org/page/UND/1.0/?language=en. See also the NPS general copyright & restrictions information.
Provenance: Created and assembled by the NPS Western Museum Laboratories.
Processing Note: This collection was processed by Jessica Scott in 2023.

Rights Statements for Archival Description: This guide is in the public domain.
Preferred Citation: NPS Western Museum Laboratories Photo Cards, NPS History Collection (HFCA 1607)
Location of Repository: NPS History Collection, Harpers Ferry Center, PO Box 50, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425

Related Materials:

• NPS Historic Photograph Collection, NPS History Collection (HFCA 1607)

Administrative History Note

In 1935 the NPS Museum Division within the Branch of Research and Education. Carl P. Russell was chief of the division, followed by Ned J. Burns in 1936. Exhibits for western national parks were prepared at the Field Division of Education in Berkeley, California, which in 1937 became the Western Museum Laboratories (WML). Dorr G. Yeager, formerly chief naturalist at Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain national parks, directed the WML as assistant chief of the Museum Division. From the late 1930s through 1941 the WML employed artists and craftsmen under New Deal programs including the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Emergency Conservation Work (ECW), Public Works Administration (PWA), Works Progress Administration (WPA), State Emergency Relief Administration (SERA), Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), National Youth Administration (NYA), and Emergency Education Program (EEP).

Because the relief agencies paid the salaries, the WML could offer a wide range of products and services for little or no cost to the national parks and monuments; often parks only paid shipping costs. Although the size of the workforce fluctuated over time, the WML was able to design and fabricate museum exhibits, dioramas, publications, posters, museum cabinetry, office furniture, nature trail labels, and other items for parks. Services offered included hand coloring lantern slides, repairing books, and mounting herbarium specimens, among others. To support its work, the WML created a reference file of photographs mounted on cards.

The laboratories consisted of several buildings on and near the Berkeley campus: Hilgard Hall on the campus, the Emergency Conservation Work (ECW) Laboratory on College Avenue, and the Fulton Lab, housed in the rented Federal Land Bank Building just off campus. In March 1939 a rent increased forced the WML to vacate the Fulton Lab, moving to another site in Emeryville.

With so much “free” labor, Yeager felt it was possible to experiment with new methods, including animation, silk screening, and the use of thermoplastic letters for exhibits. Park naturalists and other staff often traveled to the WML to more effectively collaborate on designs and construction of exhibits and other interpretive products.

The New Deal labor force was lost to defense training projects and the WML ceased operations in July 1941. Yeager, Lorenzo Moffett, and two clerks were left to inventory the equipment and supplies in the Emeryville shop to storage in two former CCC barracks at Strawberry Canyon. Much furniture and equipment was transferred for the war effort; what remained was then moved to storage at the old San Francisco Mint until after the war. Moffett continued to work out of the Old Mint until the fund for his position ran out in June 1942. During the war Yeager split his time between working at Hilgard Hall and serving as acting regional naturalist for Region Four in the San Francisco office.

The WML was revived in September 1957 for Mission 66, a ten-year program to modernize NPS facilities and improve visitor experiences. The staff worked out of the Old Mint. In 1968 the WML was merged with the Eastern Museum Laboratory and moved to temporary quarters in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. In March 1970 the consolidated laboratories and staff moved into the newly built Harpers Ferry Center.

Scope and Content Note

Black and white prints mounted on large heavy file cards. Images document landscapes; structures; natural features; by WML staff when creating artwork, dioramas, and other products. Subject files provide general references, state parks, buildings, equipment, and other activities. Historical images and works created by non-NPS artists are also included.

Arrangement

Organized into three series, as follows:
Series A: Park Card File
Series B: Subject Card File
Series C: Reference Images

Series A: Park Card File, 1920-1967 (bulk dates: 1929-1941)

Volume of the series: 14.7 LF

Scope and Content Note

Photographs mounted on cardstock. Subjects within park headings include natural and cultural resources; archeology; geology; paleontology; scenic views; museum exhibits; CCC; prehistoric, historic, and new structures; camping; NPS staff; and visitors, among others.

Photographers represented include Paul Beaubien; Branstead; C.F. Brockman; Jack E. Boucher; Burgess; Arno B. Cammerer; George Cather; Louis R. Caywood; (Derrick?) Crandall; R.C. Dix; Nat N. Dodge; John P. Eggert; Russel Farmer; F.M. Fryxell; George A. Grant; H. Raymond Gregg; Donald Grimes; (Alden?) Hayes; (Homer?) Hastings; Humberger; Lamb; Walter Malm; Maurer; Nix; Charles Orr; Asa Putnam; Paul Rockwood; Kenneth Ross; Rostel; Carl P. Russell; Schwenk; Shellback; Stone; Harvey Stork; M. Woodbridge Williams; Mode Wineman; George M. Wright; Woodward; and Dorr G. Yeager.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by park code.

Container List

Note: This container list uses park codes common within the NPS. To find the code for specific parks, see Historic Listing of NPS Park, Program, and Office Codes.

BOX 01
Folder 01: ACAD
Folder 02: ARCH
Folder 03: AZRU

BOX 02
Folder 01: AZRU
Folder 02: BAND

BOX 03
Folder 01: BAND
Folder 02: BLCA
Folder 03: BRCA

BOX 04
Folder 01: BRCA
Folder 02: CABR
Folder 03: CACH
Folder 04: CAGR

BOX 05
Folder 01: CAGR
Folder 02: CARE
Folder 03: CARL
Folder 04: CAVE
Folder 05: CAVO
Folder 06: CHCU

BOX 06
Folder 01: CHIR
Folder 02: COLO
Folder 03: CRLA

BOX 07
Folder 01: CRLA

BOX 08
Folder 01: CRLA

BOX 09
Folder 01: CRLA
Folder 02: CRMO

BOX 10
Folder 01: DEPO
Folder 02: DETO

BOX 11
Folder 01: DETO
Folder 02: DEVA

BOX 12
Folder 01: DEVA

BOX 13
Folder 01: DINO
Folder 02: ELMO
Folder 03: FOBU
Folder 04: FOMA

BOX 14
Folder 01: FOLA
Folder 02: FOVA
Folder 03: GETT
Folder 04: GEWA

BOX 15
Folder 01: GEWA
Folder 02: GLAC

BOX 16
Folder 01: GLAC

BOX 17
Folder 01: GLAC

BOX 18
Folder 01: GLAC
Folder 02: GOGA

BOX 19
Folder 01: GRCA

BOX 20
Folder 01: GRCA

BOX 21
Folder 01: GRCA

BOX 22
Folder 01: GRCA
Folder 02: GRFA
Folder 03: GRSM

BOX 23
Folder 01: GRTE

BOX 24
Folder 01: GRTE

BOX 25
Folder 01: GRTE

BOX 26
Folder 01: GRTE

BOX 27
Folder 01: HAVO
Folder 02: INDE
Folder 03: JOTR
Folder 04: LABE
Folder 05: LAVO

BOX 28
Folder 01: LAVO

BOX 29
Folder 01: LAVO

BOX 30
Folder 01: LAVO

BOX 31
Folder 01: LAVO

BOX 32
Folder 01: MEVA
Folder 02: MOCA
Folder 03: MORA

BOX 33
Folder 01: MORA

BOX 34
Folder 01: MORA

BOX 35
Folder 01: MORA
Folder 02: MUWO

BOX 36
Folder 01: NAVO
Folder 02: NOCA

BOX 37
Folder 01: NOCA
Folder 02: ORCA
Folder 03: PEFO

BOX 38
Folder 01: PEFO
Folder 02: PINN

BOX 39
Folder 01: PINN
Folder 02: ROMO

BOX 40
Folder 01: ROMO

BOX 41
Folder 01: ROMO

BOX 42
Folder 01: ROMO
Folder 02: SAAN
Folder 03: SAGU
Folder 04: SAPU

BOX 43
Folder 01: SCBL

BOX 44
Folder 01: SCBL
Folder 02: SEKI

BOX 45
Folder 01: SEKI

BOX 46
Folder 01: SEKI

BOX 47
Folder 01: SEKI

BOX 48
Folder 01: TUMA

BOX 49
Folder 01: TUMA

BOX 50
Folder 01: TUMA

BOX 51
Folder 01: TUZI
Folder 02: VICK
Folder 03: WHSA

BOX 52
Folder 01: WHSA
Folder 02: WICA

BOX 53
Folder 01: YELL

BOX 54
Folder 01: YELL

BOX 55
Folder 01: YELL
Folder 02: YOSE

BOX 56
Folder 01: YOSE

BOX 57
Folder 01: YOSE
Folder 02: ZION

BOX 58
Folder 01: ZION

BOX 59
Folder 01: ZION

PHOTO BOX 01
This box contains photographic materials separated from across Series A, Series B, and Series C.

Series B: Subject Card File, 1929-1941, 1960-1967 (bulk dates: 1934-1940)

Volume of the series: 6.5 LF

Scope and Content Note

Photographs mounted on cardstock, depicting WML personnel, construction activities, diorama and exhibit development. WML staff activity images depict various workers constructing cabinets, dioramas, and relief maps as well as coloring lantern slides and exhibit backgrounds, sculpting, and other artistic work for use in displays and exhibits in national parks. Subjects include natural and cultural resources; archeology; geology; paleontology; scenic views; museum exhibits; CCC; historic and new structures; NPS staff; and industry, among others. Photographs related to the WPA posters can be found in the file unit "Silkscreen Process (WPA Posters)". Includes projects completed by WML in some state parks. WML facilities at Hilgard Hall, College Avenue, and Fulton Laboratory are included. University of California buildings known as the Durant Avenue Laboratory and on Euclid Avenue are present.

Photographers represented include Alfred Anderson; Fred R. Bell; George Cather; Ralph C. Dix; Joseph S. Dixon; John P. Eggert; Paul Fair; George A. Grant; Donald Grimes; Elizabeth Hagberg; M. R. Harrington; Maurer; Nix; Charles Orr; Asa Putnam; Kenneth Ross; J. Schwenk; Shellbach; George Stone; Woodward; and Dorr G. Yeager.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

Container List

BOX 01
Folder 01: Activities of WML Staff

BOX 02
Folder 01: Activities of WML Staff

BOX 03
Folder 01: Activities of WML Staff

BOX 04
Folder 01: Activities of WML Staff

BOX 05
Folder 01: Activities of WML Staff
Folder 02: Biology

BOX 06
Folder 01: Biology

BOX 07
Folder 01: Biology

BOX 08
Folder 01: Biology
Folder 02: Ethnology

BOX 09
Folder 01: Geology and Paleontology

BOX 10
Folder 01: Geology and Paleontology
Folder 02: History and Transportation

BOX 11
Folder 01: History and Transportation

BOX 12
Folder 01: Indians of North America

BOX 13
Folder 01: Indians of North America

BOX 14
Folder 01: Lumber

BOX 15
Folder 01: Lumber
Folder 02: Maps, Plans, and Charts

BOX 16
Folder 01: Maps, Plans, and Charts
Folder 02: Mining

BOX 17
Folder 01: Mining
Folder 02: New Mexico

BOX 18
Folder 01: Pictorial History of WML

BOX 19
Folder 01: Portraits
Folder 02: Redwood Empire Parkway

BOX 20
Folder 01: San Diego Exposition
Folder 02: Silkscreen Process (WPA)

BOX 21
Folder 01: Southwestern National Monuments
Folder 02: State Parks: Guernsey

BOX 22
Folder 01: State Parks: Guernsey

BOX 23
Folder 01: State Parks: Guernsey
Folder 02: State Parks: Washington

BOX 24
Folder 01: Texas Centennial Exhibition
Folder 02: WPA Exhibits

NITRATE BOX 01
This box contains nitrate negatives separated from Subseries B.

Series C: Reference Images, 1884-1939, 1978 (bulk dates: 1888-1939)

Volume of the series: 4.8 LF

Scope and Content Note

Photo cards and images used by WML staff for reference during their various park projects. Copies of Charles Fletcher Lummis images of Native Americans and images of Thomas Moran’s paintings comprise much of this series. Copy prints created by NPS or New Deal photographers include Ned Burns, Dorr Yeager, and Elizabeth Mason, and Lorenzo Moffett.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by photographer or collector name.

Container List

BOX 01
Folder 01: Burns, Ned
Folder 02: Moffett, Lorenzo
Folder 03: Jorgensen, Chris

BOX 02
Folder 01: Lummis: Historical Buildings and Monuments
Folder 02: Lummis: Indians of North America – Acoma Pueblo (1 of 2)

BOX 03
Folder 01: Lummis: Indians of North America: Acoma Pueblo (2 of 2)
Folder 02: Lummis: Indians of North America: Artifacts (1 of 2)

BOX 04
Folder 01: Lummis: Indians of North America: Artifacts/Arts and Crafts (2 of 2)
Folder 02: Lummis: Indians of North America: Campo
Folder 03: Lummis: Indians of North America: Cliff (Cave) Dwellings
Folder 04: Lummis: Indians of North America: Cochiti Pueblo
Folder 05: Lummis: Indians of North America: Dwellings

BOX 05
Folder 01: Lummis: Indians of North America: Hopi
Folder 02: Lummis: Indians of North America: Isleta Pueblo (1 of 4)

BOX 06
Folder 01: Lummis: Indians of North America: Isleta Pueblo (2 of 4)

BOX 07
Folder 01: Lummis: Indians of North America: Isleta Pueblo (3 of 4)

BOX 08
Folder 01: Lummis: Indians of North America: Isleta Pueblo (4 of 4)
Folder 02: Lummis: Indians of North America: Laguna Pueblo
Folder 03: Lummis: Indians of North America: Miscellaneous Tribes
Folder 04: Lummis: Indians of North America: Mojave
Folder 05: Lummis: Indians of North America: Navajo
Folder 06: Lummis: Indians of North America: Pueblo (General) (1 of 3)

BOX 09
Folder 01: Lummis: Indians of North America: Pueblo (General) (2 of 3)

BOX 10
Folder 01: Lummis: Indians of North America: Pueblo (General) (3 of 3)
Folder 02: Lummis: Indians of North America: Ruins (1 of 2)

BOX 11
Folder 01: Lummis: Indians of North America: Ruins (2 of 2)
Folder 02: Lummis: Indians of North America: San Felipe (Pueblo)
Folder 03: Lummis: Indians of North America: San Ildefonso (Pueblo)
Folder 04: Lummis: Indians of North America: Santa Ana (Pueblo)

BOX 12
Folder 01: Lummis: Indians of North America: Santa Clara (Pueblo)
Folder 02: Lummis: Indians of North America: Santo Domingo
Folder 03: Lummis: Indians of North America: Taos (Pueblo)
Folder 04: Lummis: Indians of North America: Tesuque (Pueblo)
Folder 05: Lummis: Indians of North America: Tewa
Folder 06: Lummis: Indians of North America: Tigua
Folder 07: Lummis: Indians of North America: Yuma
Folder 08: Lummis: Indians of North America: Zuni (Pueblo)

BOX 13
Folder 01: Lummis: Individuals (Portraits)
Folder 02: Lummis: Missions and Churches (1 of 3)

BOX 14
Folder 01: Lummis: Missions and Churches (2 of 3)

BOX 15
Folder 01: Lummis: Missions and Churches (3 of 3)
Folder 02: Lummis: Scenics

BOX 16
Folder 01: Mason, Elizabeth

BOX 17
Folder 01: Mason, Elizabeth

BOX 18
Folder 01: Mason, Elizabeth

BOX 19
Folder 01: McCoy, Frank J.
Folder 02: Moran, Thomas

BOX 20
Folder 01: Moran, Thomas

BOX 21
Folder 01: Moran, Thomas
Folder 02: Yeager, Dorr

OVERSIZE BOX 01
This box contains separations from the Lummis images.

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