Object Details
Summary
Collection documents the construction of the Panama Canal and life in the Panama Canal Zone.
Content Description
Collection consists primarily of photographs--both loose and in albums--documenting the construction of the Panama Canal and life in the Panama Canal Zone from individuals who worked there. Materials also include scrapbooks, postcards, letters, envelopes, a patent (US Patent 1,299,318 for a drill), railroad tickets, vehicle licenses, certificates, newspaper clippings, and telegrams.
sova.nmah.ac.1569
Donor
Brewer, Jack
Buchalter, Lloyd A.
Dallimore, Georgie
Fogelmann, Edgar L.
Engineer
Ray, Edward A. , 1867-1934
Donor
Schurmann, Audrey Stoner
Wheeler, David
Place
Costa Rica
Gatun Locks (Panama)
Panama Canal (Panama)
San Blas Islands (Panama)
Topic
Canals -- Panama
Cuna Indians
Drivers' licenses
Railroads
Provenance
Collection assembled from several accessions that were purchased and donated. In some instances, the immediate source of acquisition is unknown. Known provenance includes: David Wheeler (1983.0630); Lloyd A. Buchalter (1987.0854); Audrey Stoner Schurmann (1999.0334); Edgar L. Fogelmann (2001.0302); Jack Brewer (1999); and Georgie Dallimore (1980).
Culture
Guna (Kuna)
See more items in
Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering Panama Canal Collection
Historical
The Panama Canal Zone was established with the signing of the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty as an unincorporated and organized territory of the United States in 1903. The treaty allowed for the construction of the Panama Canal, a strip of land 10 miles wide extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, by the United States. Panama granted exclusive canal rights to the United States in exchange for financial reimbursement and protection of the newly established republic in Panama. The Canal Zone had two administrative subdivisions, the Balboa (Pacific) and Cristobal (Atlantic) districts. Balboa Heights was the administrative headquarters for both the Canal Zone government and the Panama Canal Company. The Canal Zone existed until 1979. Full control over the Canal Zone and the operation of the canal was transferred to Panama in 2000.
Extent
1.75 Cubic feet (4 boxes, 1 map folder)
Date
1904-1971
bulk 1904-1924
Custodial History
Collections transferred to the Archives Center from the Division of Work and Industry in February 2022.
Archival Repository
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Identifier
NMAH.AC.1569
Type
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Articles
Certificates
Envelopes
Letters (correspondence)
Negatives
Newspaper clippings
Panoramic photographs
Patents
Photographs
Picture postcards
Telegrams
Tickets
Citation
Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering Panama Canal Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Arrangement
Collection is arranged into one series.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Alison Oswald, archivist, 2023.
Rights
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Genre/Form
Articles -- 20th century
Certificates -- 20th century
Envelopes
Letters (correspondence) -- 20th century.
Negatives -- 20th century
Newspaper clippings
Panoramic photographs
Patents -- 20th century
Photographs
Picture postcards
Telegrams
Tickets
Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
NMAH.AC.1569
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep80b8f7512-4d6d-4ced-9216-5abf58191d4c
NMAH.AC.1569
ACAH
Record ID
ebl-1702655100811-1702655101079-0