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Charles R. Kuning Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority collection

 Collection
Identifier: MS2373

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)

Source

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

Contact:
2130 H Street NW
Washington 20052 United States of America