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Collection Overview

Creator:
United States. Public Works Administration
Title:
Public Works Administration Photographs of the Bonneville Dam Project
Repository:
Manuscripts Division
Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dc0z709662z
Dates:
1934-1943
Size:
0.2 linear feet and 1 box
Storage Note:
  • Firestone Library (scamss): Box B-001759
Language:
English

Abstract

Consists of a collection of seventy-six photographs documenting the construction and installation of power-generating machinery for the Bonneville Dam project in the Columbia River Gorge near Portland, Oregon, beginning in the Great Depression and continuing through World War II.

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

Consists of a collection of seventy-six photographs documenting the construction and installation of power-generating machinery for the Bonneville Dam project in the Columbia River Gorge near Portland, Oregon, beginning in the Great Depression and continuing through World War II. These photographs, which were taken by an unknown United States Public Works Administration photographer, document work completed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, as well as private contractors. Images show the movement of railroad lines for the Bonneville Power & Navigation Projects, new foundations on the Washington side for a relocated railroad station, road grading, construction of the Administration Building for the project, laying of new utility lines, construction at Tooth Rock Tunnel near the Cascade Locks, and a steel bridge across Eagle Creek. Photographs also show the Tainter gate for the Bonneville Ship Lock fabricated by McClintic-Marshall, as well as several images of the control panels installed in the Bonneville Dam power house. Two aerial photographs show the spillway, the powerhouse, and locks, and the Navigation Locks being finished on the Oregon side. Several of the photographs show the turbine shaft, interiors of the ship locks drying out, power transformers built by Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing, the water-wheel generators by General Electric, and other equipment being installed in the power station at Bonneville. There are also images depicting instrument panels with covers removed showing wiring and circuitry below, the assembly stages of generators, cooling equipment, pieces returned for repair by the manufacturer, and coil housings. Other private companies whose work is documented in the images include Westinghouse Electric Corporation and Pawling and Harnischfeger.

Collection Creator Biography:

United States

The United States Public Works Administration (PWA) was a New Deal government agency authorized by the National Industrial Recovery Act (1933) in response to the Great Depression. Initially referred to as the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works and headed by Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes, the agency was designed to build large-scale public works, such as dams, bridges, hospitals, and schools, often through contracts with private construction firms. The goal of these efforts was to supply employment, stabilize buying power, and help revive the economy. After the Reorganization Act of 1939, the PWA was put under the newly-created Federal Works Agency and its functions shifted toward war preparations until it was eventually shut down in 1944.

Collection History

Acquisition:

Purchased from Zephyr Used & Rare Books in 2021 (AM 2022-073).

Appraisal

No materials were removed from the collection during 2021 processing.

Sponsorship:

Processing of this collection was sponsored by the Delafield fund.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Kelly Bolding in December 2021. Finding aid written by Kelly Bolding in December 2021, incorporating some dealer description.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Credit this material:

Public Works Administration Photographs of the Bonneville Dam Project; Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Permanent URL:
http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dc0z709662z
Location:
Firestone Library
One Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
(609) 258-3184
Storage Note:
  • Firestone Library (scamss): Box B-001759