Guide to the Charles Lietwiler transportation collection C0324 Charles Lietwiler

Guide to the Charles Lietwiler transportation collection C0324

Charles Lietwiler


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George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center

Fenwick Library, MS2FL
4400 University Dr.
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Business Number: 703-993-2220
Fax Number: 703-993-8911
speccoll@gmu.edu
URL: https://scrc.gmu.edu

Christopher Babbitt

Repository
George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center
Identification
C0324
Title
Charles Lietwiler transportation collection 1903 - 2005
Quantity
33.0 Linear Feet, 40 boxes, 2 map cases
Creator
Lietwiler, Charles
Location
R 72, C 1, S 1 - R 72, C 2, S 3 Map Cases 35.3 - 35.4
Language
English .
Abstract
This collection contains Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) materials relating to the foundation and construction of the Metro, information regarding American and international mass transit systems, and photographs taken by Charles Lietwiler.

Administrative Information

Use Restrictions

The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Charles Lietwiler transportation collection, C0324, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Acquisition Information

Donated by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission on September 20, 2018.

Processing Information

Processing completed by Christopher Babbitt in March 2020. EAD markup completed by Christopher Babbitt in March 2020. Finding aid updated by Amanda Menjivar in October 2022.

Biographical Information

Charles J. Lietwiler was born in Gallipolis, Ohio on August 22, 1933. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington in 1955, and a Master of Arts degree in Business Administration in Transportation from the George Washington University in 1966. Lietwiler served as a regional transit planner throughout his professional career. Within the D.C. Metropolitan area, he held various positions with the federal government, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Metropolitan Planning Association. Lietwiler also worked with the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission where he served as the Senior Transportation Planner beginning in 1965. He took part in the Airlie conferences in 1967, where local officials and transit experts created the D.C. Metro system. Lietwiler performed research for the U.S. Army Reserve Transportation Railway Service, and was an amateur photographer and filmmaker.

Scope and Content

The Charles Lietwiler transportation collection contains Lietwiler's work on the founding of Metro at the Airlie Conferences in 1967. An avid photographer, Lietwiler diligently photographed its construction and opening ceremonies. The collection also represents his work with a variety of other organizations, such as the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, where he held a senior position. Lietwiler was a well-traveled man, collecting a variety of souvenirs on his trips. A plurality of the collection relates to his work as an amateur photographer and filmmaker.

Series 1: Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (1960-1990s): This series contains Lietwiler's work on the founding of Metro, including his work at the Airlie Conferences of 1967. Materials include: Analytical reports by various organizations such as the U.S. Department of Transportation, Metrobus and rail schedules, and published materials such as Metro Memos. It also contains Metro-related photographs taken by Lietwiler.

Series 2: United States Mass Transit (1932-2000): This series contains Lietwiler's work with other American transit organizations, including planning materials and analysis reports, as well as published materials, such as the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission Newsletter.

Series 3: International Mass Transit (1903-1992): This series contains published journals and newspapers examining international transportation systems, analytical reports on Japanese rail systems, and maps/brochures collected on Lietwiler's many trips.

Series 4: Slides and Photographs (1950s-1990s): This series contains all non-WMATA related photographs taken by Lietwiler, both personal and transit-related. Transit-related photographs usually depict transit systems embedded in cities and towns, while personal photography showcases nature or family gatherings. This series contains three subseries. Subseries 4.1: United States mass transit photographs. Subseries 4.2: International mass transit photographs. Subseries 4.3: Personal photos.

Series 5: Audio and Video reels (1960s-1970s): This series contains Lietwiler's work as an amateur filmmaker, mostly from his personal travels.

Series 6: Maps and Blueprints (1950s-1960s): This series contains 56 maps of Washington, D.C., 26 blueprints, and 41 topographical maps of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in into six series:

Series Series 1: Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, 1960-1990s (Boxes 1-4) Series 2: United States mass transit, 1932-2000 (Boxes 5-7) Series 3: International mass transit, 1903-1992(Boxes 7-9) Series 4: Slides and photographs, 1950s-2005 (Boxes 10-39) Series 5: Audio and video reels, 1960s-1970s (Box 40) Series 6: Maps and blueprints, 1950s-1960s (Map Cases 35.3 - 35.4)

Related Material

Special Collections Research Center holds many other collections related to transportation and planning, such as the William L. Mertz transportation collection and the American Public Transportation records. Click here to see all transportation and planning materials held by Special Collections Research Center.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Technical requirements

The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to watch reel-to-reel film and audio contained in Series 5. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

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Significant Places Associated With the Collection

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Container List

Series 1: Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority,
1959-1997 (Boxes 1 - 4)
Scope and Contents

This series contains Lietwiler's work regarding the foundation and planning of the Metro, as well as photographs taken of its construction and opening.

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Series 2: United States Mass Transit,
1940s-1994 (Boxes 5 - 7)
Scope and Contents

This series contains materials relating to United States Mass Transit and Lietwiler's work on domestic transit associations, such as the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission.

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Series 3: International Mass Transit,
1903-1990s (Boxes 7 - 9)
Scope and Contents

This series contains documents and publications pertaining to international transit systems.

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Series 4: Photographs and slides,
1950s-2005 (Boxes 10 - 39)
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Series 5: Audiovisual material,
1966-1980s (Box 40)
Scope and Contents

This series contains film and audio taken by Lietwiler for hobby-related purposes.

The Special Collections Research Center does not have the equipment necessary to watch reel-to-reel film and audio contained in Series 5. Additional time and money may be required to digitize this material for access.

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Series 6: Maps and blueprints,
circa 1960s (Map Cases 35.3-35.4)
Scope and Contents

This series contains blueprints and topographical maps of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

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Mixed Materials Box: Map Case 35.3
Washington, D.C. and Pittsburgh maps, and blueprints of transportation systems (1 of 2),
circa 1960s
Mixed Materials Box: Map Case 35.4
Washington, D.C. and Pittsburgh maps, and blueprints of transportation systems (2 of 2),
circa 1960s