Charles R. Kuning Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority collection
Scope and Contents
This collection contains reports, transit studies, meeting agendas, marketing material, maps, memos, tour information, correspondence, photographs and construction drawings. The material dates from approximately 1965-1985. These are the records relate to the early days of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority including their research of other metropolitan transit systems and the early construction of the Metrorail system.
Dates
- 1965-1985
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Materials in this collection may be governed by copyright. For activities that the researcher determines fall under fair use as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission to cite or publish is required. Researchers are responsible for determining who may hold materials' copyrights, determining if the intended re-use falls under fair use, and obtaining approval from the copyright holder if the intended use does not fall under fair use. Please contact Special Collections if the copyright status of the materials you wish to reuse is unclear. Staff will provide additional information.
Biographical / Historical
While an engineering undergraduate, Charles R. Kuning worked from 1973 to 1976 for Cody Pfanstiehl as an unpaid intern and later as a contractor. During this time he provided pre-opening, construction tour guide services for the Office of Community Services which Pfanstiehl headed. This public outreach and information program took up to 20,000 members of the public, per year, on weekend hard hat tours, generally between Judiciary Square and Metro Center.
For Kuning's own education during that period, and up to around 1980, Kuning collected copies of board meeting packets (monthly and quarterly office reports, “Metroclips” newspaper clippings), public information/marketing materials (maps, brochures, “Metro Memo” newsletters) and other, generally letter-sized material. In addition, he collected a number of the B-sized (11"x17”) plan books provided to potential bidders for tunnels, stations, bridges and other Metro construction projects.
Extent
17.5 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection contains reports, transit studies, meeting agendas, marketing material, maps, memos, tour information, correspondence, photographs and construction drawings related to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The material dates between 1965-1985. This material about WMATA relates specifically to research about other metropolitan transit systems and the early construction of the Metrorail system.
Arrangement
Organized into two series: Reports and newsletters, and Drawings and technical specifications.
Physical Location
Materials are stored off-site, and will require additional retrieval time. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Charles R. Kuning, May 9, 2018 (2018.018)
- Transportation -- Washington Metropolitan Area Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Transportation maps Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Source
- Kuning, Charles R. (Donor, Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Charles R. Kuning Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 1965-1985
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University
- Date
- 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Repository
