Vermont Historical Records Survey

The Historical Records Survey, part of the United States government's Work Projects Administration during the Great Depression, began work in Vermont in 1936. The first director was John Clement, followed by Merrill Perry, Samuel Bean (acting supervisor), Frank Bryan, and Henry Howard Eddy. The first inventory, an experimental inventory of the records of the town of Stowe, appeared in 1938. This was followed in May 1939 by an inventory of the town of Bolton and a directory of the churches and religious organizations of the State. Inventories for Grand Isle County and Waterville followed. An experimental inventory of the church records of Hinesburg was issued in August 1939. From September 1940 until May 1941 the Survey put out 19 volumes, a rate of better than two volumes per month. The recovering economy and the war in Europe spelled the end of the project. In January 1941 the project employed 120 people; by August the number had dropped to 62 and by December it was down to 47. With the onset of war, priorities in Washington changed. In September 1941 the War Department redirected part of the staff to undertake a "truck and bus inventory." On April 1, 1942, the Historical Records Survey officially ended. More details of the history of the project are contained in "Final Report and Inventory of the Vermont Historical Records Survey" in folder 35 of this collection.