This series contains documentation about specific projects and/or exhibitions Messmore and Damon developed and built. The materials primarily consist of correspondence, printed publications, notes, financial materials, photographs, exhibit scripts, press kits, ephemera, and newspaper clippings. The materials are arranged chronologically.
The transportation radio show talks (ten minutes in duration) consist of typed scripts specially written for Messmore and Damon by Russell E. Smith of Cleveland, Ohio. The talks are part of the Old Timers Talk, a radio show broadcast in New York City. The talks are arranged numerically.
Additional materials in this series include the World's Fair building code (1939) and two publications, How to draw horses for commercial art (1946) and How to make posters that will help you win the war (1940s). The miscellaneous folder contains some excellent examples of ephemera. Highlights include a Bird's Eye View of the Panama Canal Map (1915), You Can Defend America (1941); a booklet on the occasion of Nikita S. Khrushchev's visit to the United States (1959); and Designs for Dining by Dorothy Draper and Co., Inc. (1965).
Collection Restrictions:
The collection is open for research.
Social Security numbers are present and numbers have been rendered unreadable and redacted. Researchers may use the photocopies in the collection. The remainder of the collection has no restrictions.
Reference copies for the audio discs do not exist. Use of these materials requires special arrangement with Archives Center staff.
Gloves must be worn when handling unprotected photographs and negatives.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning intellectual property rights. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Messmore and Damon Company Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
