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University Archives 111
Agricultural Engineering
Records, 1932-1974

The records of the Agricultural Engineering Department (UA 80-1) were transferred to the University Archives of Washington State University in March 1980 by the department in accordance with established records schedules. The collection was processed by Ann Klavano from mid-March to mid-May, 1983.

AGENCY HISTORY

The Department of Agricultural Engineering was first organized in 1909. In 1926 a four year professional course began, the work being jointly administered by the Deans of the College of Agriculture and the College of Engineering. The divided administration remains in 1983. The College of Engineering administers the curriculum; the College of Agriculture administers the research and the Cooperative Extension work. Students enrolled in the department are from both colleges. Some graduate from the College of Engineering with a degree in Agricultural Engineering. Others graduate from the College of Agriculture with a Farm Mechanization speciality.

ARRANGEMENT AND DESCRIPTION

The records of the Department of Agricultural Engineering are arranged into four series. The first series consists of general departmental office files, 1937-1979, and is divided into two subseries. The first subseries deals with activities at Washington State University and affiliated work in the state of Washington, 1937-1974. The bulk of the material dates from 1947-1973, during June Roberts' departmental chairmanship, and consists mainly of memoranda, correspondence, minutes, and reports. The folders are arranged in a single alphabetical subseries, in which the processor has attempted to retain the original order where possible. Loose material not fitting into the established filing system is placed in a folder labeled "Unfiled Material." Because of dual nature of the administration of Agricultural Engineering there is some duplication of subject files. These files are further labeled with the relevant college names.

The second subseries, West Pakistan University File, 1954-1971, deals with WSU's involvement with agricultural engineering at West Pakistan Agricultural University in Lyallpur, 1954-1971. The files consist almost exclusively of correspondence among Pullman-based office personnel, staff members in Pakistan, and potential employees. The files are arranged in a single alphabetical subject series. The original folder names and the order of materials within folders is retained.

For further information on Washington State University's Pakistan Project see University Archives 26.

The second series, Professional Organizations, 1947-1974, deals with three organizations in which June Roberts was an active member. The materials especially stress activities of the the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, where Mr. Roberts held many national offices. The material is arranged alphabetically by organization, then by date or subject.

The third series is photographs, 1934-1974. The prints and negatives are mainly of research projects. Many photographs within the machinery files are items provided by manufacturing companies. The project files are arranged numerically by project number, while subject files arranged alphabetically by subject. The original file names have been retained, reflecting a system of labeling and dating each print and negative, which was used during the 1950s. Photos dated before and after that decade are largely undated and many are unlabeled. Prints and negatives with no labels have been placed in a general file.

The fourth series consists of financial ledgers, 1932-1973. These ledgers contain a noncontinuous record of the accounts of the department, concentrating on research activities. The series also contains the ledgers of accounts for the Washington Council on the Relationship of Electricity to Agriculture, a major source of funding for the department's early research and extension work. The records indicate that the name was changed to the present Washington Farm Electrification Committee around 1947.

                                                                 CONTAINERS
Series 1: General Departmental Office Files, 1937-1974
     Subseries 1.1: Washington State University                   1-5
     Subseries 1.2: West Pakistan Agricultural University         6
Series 2: Professional organizations, 1947-1974                   7-8
Series 3: Photograph File, 1934-1974                              9-11
Series 4: Financial Ledgers, 1932-1975                            12

CONTAINER LIST