"The Return of Annie Oakley"
1935 - 1943
Add to Favorites:
Add all page(s) of this document to activity:
This mural was painted in the Nutley, NJ, post office by artist Paul Chapman as part of the Treasury Relief Art Project (TRAP), a New Deal arts program.
Born Phoebe Ann Moses in 1860, Annie Oakley began shooting and hunting game as a young girl to help feed and support her family. When she was 15, she was in a shooting contest against a professional exhibition shooter. He killed 24 out of 25 birds. She killed all 25. The man she beat, Frank Butler, would later become her husband.
Oakley began her career as a sharpshooter performing in vaudeville shows. At age 25 she joined Buffalo Bill’s show, where she became an international celebrity. Aware of the uniqueness of a women in her profession and with her success, Oakley conducted herself carefully and always wore skirts. She purposely crafted an image that would be accepted as a "proper Victorian lady."
Born Phoebe Ann Moses in 1860, Annie Oakley began shooting and hunting game as a young girl to help feed and support her family. When she was 15, she was in a shooting contest against a professional exhibition shooter. He killed 24 out of 25 birds. She killed all 25. The man she beat, Frank Butler, would later become her husband.
Oakley began her career as a sharpshooter performing in vaudeville shows. At age 25 she joined Buffalo Bill’s show, where she became an international celebrity. Aware of the uniqueness of a women in her profession and with her success, Oakley conducted herself carefully and always wore skirts. She purposely crafted an image that would be accepted as a "proper Victorian lady."
This primary source comes from the Records of the Public Buildings Service.
National Archives Identifier: 70169886
Full Citation: Photograph 121-CMS-3D-52; 'The Return of Annie Oakley' Nutley, NJ Post Office Mural by Paul Chapman; 1935 - 1943; Painting: North Carolina, North Dakota, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New Mexico; Completed Murals and Sculptures in United States Post Offices and other Federal Buildings, 1935 - 1943; Records of the Public Buildings Service, Record Group 121; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/return-annie-oakley, April 25, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.