Index of American Design records, 1933-1943

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Summary

Creators:
Index of American Design
Abstract:
This collection contains the records of the Southern California chapter of the Index of American Design, which was a Federal Arts Project, 1933-1943, and consists of reports, correspondence, drawings, paintings, photographs, and ephemera.
Extent:
7.76 Linear Feet (15 boxes and 1 oversize volume)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Index of American Design records, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains over 3,000 items from the files of the Southern California chapter of the Index of American Design, a Federal Arts Project, 1933 to 1943. The vast majority of the items are brief reports on a particular topic, many of which are accompanied by drawings and photographs. Also included are more in-depth reports, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and printed matter such as pamphlets on museum exhibits and political issues. Every aspect of California art from the 17th to 19th centuries is covered to varying degrees, including household embroidery, metal work and sculpture. Art and artifacts of nearly every type were meticulously studied and recorded for posterity. Topics covered with substantial depth are: art, architecture and history of California missions; Native American art and design; and Native American legends, which were written by artist White Bead Quann expressly for the Index, and are punctuated with Cherokee words and phrases. There is also a large amount of material on the proposed Ham and Eggs amendment of 1939, a pension movement in California during the 1930s. Most of the material was authored by the Southern California Citizens Against 30 Thursday group. The growth and development of California is represented through community studies that tracked regional demographics over time. The studies track the growing ethnic, social and economic diversity in Los Angeles County and small communities such as Inglewood and El Monte. The Los Angeles Negro Survey of 1935 is a notable in-depth study of the economic and social status of African Americans in Los Angeles.

Biographical / historical:

The Index of American Design was a subunit of the Works Progress Administration's Federal Art Project. The Index was a nationwide project whose mission was to document the evolution of American decorative, provincial and folk arts from the early 17th century to the close of the 19th century. The Southern California chapter of the Index was primarily focused on the pioneer art and design of native peoples and immigrant settlers with a particular emphasis on documenting the Spanish influence on art within California. Areas of interest included indigenous arts and crafts, Spanish-American art and design (including missions), the evolution of Califonia communities and the biographies of their founders, and the contributions made by Native Americans within the spheres of art, costume and storytelling.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Works Progress Administration of Los Angeles, January 1949.
Processing information:

Processed by Marisa E. Diehl in 2001. In 2020, Suzanne Oatey created this finding aid from a legacy summary report.

Arrangement:

Organized in five series:

  • Pre-California: 17th to early-19th centuries
  • California: Mid-19th century to 1943
  • Spanish-American arts and crafts
  • Reports by topic
  • Special interest and political organizations

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Index of American Design records, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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