Elizabeth McCausland papers, 1838-1995, bulk 1920-1960

This series consists of files relating to McCausland's work as a research consultant on the exhibition, "American Processional, 1492-1900" at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., July 8-December 17, 1950, and as editor of the accompanying book. The exhibit was described as "a large exhibition of American life and history in pictures" and was planned in cooperation with the National Capital Sesquicentennial Commission "to commemorate the establishment of the permanent seat of the Federal Government in Washington in 1850." The book included two hundred illustrations of work from the exhibition with text comprised of "quotations from contemporaries of the events shown" and writing by McCausland. (These descriptions are drawn from a letter from McCausland to Norman Corwin dated June 20, 1950.)

Files include research notes organized according to time period of the work of art, manuscripts and proofs of the book, catalog material, notes on sources and permissions, correspondence, and other research and publicity material.

A large amount of correspondence relating to the American Processional can also be found in the General Correspondence series. A watercolor by Frank Buffmire documenting McCausland's contributions to the American Processional in a humorous fashion can be found amongst art work.

Files are arranged in alphabetical order.

This series is scanned in its entirety, except for galley and page proofs of the book.