Manuscript Collections - William J. Wagner Papers

WILLIAM J. WAGNER PAPERS, 1938-1989
3 linear feet, 1 linear inch (7 LGA-S boxes)
Herbert Hoover Presidential Library

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

William Wagner was an Iowa architect. Born May 16, 1925, Wagner earned a BA at Iowa State University and an MA from Drake in 1939. From 1939 through the 1960’s he worked in the Des Moines architectural firm Wetherell-Harrison-Wagner-McKlveen. After working on the reconstruction of the Jesse Hoover blacksmith shop in 1956, Wagner led the Hoover Birthplace Restoration Project and designed the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library. Wagner was active in the preservation and restoration of historic landmarks. His projects include: Iowa’s capitol building, Terrace Hill, Living History Farms, West Branch Main Streer, Pella Main Street, and courthouses in Madison and Marshall Counties. In 1967 he was appointed to the Historic American Buildings Survey Advisory Board. Wagner died January 23, 2001.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The William Wagner Papers are divided into three series.

The HERBERT HOOVER HISTORIC SITE FILES document William Wagner’s work in developing the Hoover Site in West Branch. Materials include: memos, correspondence, newsletters, reports, reminiscences, pamphlets, and programs. Arranged alphabetically by subject. The correspondence discusses the Hoover Site, especially the Presidential Library. Arranged chronologically.

The SUBJECT FILES contain articles, calendars, newsletters, clippings, photographs, genealogy material, and essays primarily about Herbert and Lou Hoover. Arranged alphabetically, either by subject or by type of material.

The POLITICAL CARTOONS were collected between 1938 and 1944 and primarily pertain to World War II. Arranged alphabetically by artist.

FOLDER LIST

BOX    CONTENTS

1          HERBERT HOOVER HISTORIC SITE FILES, 1947-1989
                     Birthday Observances, 1954-1984
                     Birthplace Restoration, 1958-1968
                     Blacksmith Shop, 1956-1957
                     Carillon file, 1964-1969
                     Commemorative Stamp, 1962-1968
                     Dedication ceremonies, 1962-1964
                     Director’s Residence, 1962-1966
                     Flagpole – Army & Navy Union emblem, 1964-1965
                     Gravestone, Correspondence and Sketches, 1961-1965
                     Hoover funeral, 1962-1964

2                   Hoover Library Association Newsletter, 1972-1988 (2 folders)
                     Hoover Library Association Reports, 1964-1983
                     Library and addition, 1962-1972 (2 folders)
                     Maintenance Building, 1964-1965
                     Meeting House, 1963-1968
                     Overlook for Hoover Park, 1961-1969                         
                     Reports on Hoover Library Site, 1965-1987 (2 folders)
                     Schoolhouse, 1971-1981
                     Wagner reminiscences, ca. 1968
                     Pamphlets, Programs, Newsletters, 1947-1985

3                   Correspondence, 1956-1989 (10 folders)

4          SUBJECT FILES
                     Bowles, Levi – Hoover’s Sketchbook, 1942
                     Calendars, 1967-1969 (includes one illustrated by Wagner)
                     The Exponent ‘Iowa’s Greatest Engineer Celebrates 90th’, 1964
                     Greater Iowa Development Project, 1962-1965
                     Haldeman, John – Herbert Hoover, ca. 1940
                     Hoover Library clippings, 1957-1987 (6 folders)
                     Lou Henry Hoover – Genealogical Materials, 1960-1964
                     The Lincoln Club – Newsletters, 1970-1974
                     Essays on Hoover, undated
                     Photographs, undated
                     The Story of Hoover Dam, 1961 (booklet)
                     Wagner, William – Biographical Information, 1966-1970
           
5          POLITICAL CARTOONS
                     Brown, T., 1938-1941 (3 folders)
                     Carlisle, Harold I “Tom,” 1939-1941 (2 folders)
                     Darling, Jay N. “Ding,” 1939-1940 (3 folders)
                     Ficklen, Herc – You’re in the Army Now, 1939-1942 (3 folders)

6                   Ficklen, Herc – You’re in the Army Now, 1943-1944
                     Fitzpatrick, Daniel Robert, 1940-1942 (4 folders)
                     McCutcheon, John T., 1940-1943
                     Orr, Carey, 1940-1943 (3 folders)

7                   Parrish, Joseph, 1940-1943 (3 folders)
                     Miscellaneous, 1940-1944 (12 folders)