This series contains the papers amassed by Wilbur Kurtz Sr. and family members pertaining to his professional career as an artist and historian as well as materials pertaining to his Civil War research. Although this series contains eleven sub-series the bulk of the materials are dedicated to three primary subject matters: research materials, employment, and maps. A significant portion of the research material chronicles his Andrews’ Raid research. He corresponded with most surviving participants and kept notebooks with detailed records of his research. Other notebooks included in the research material contain much of the raw data he collected in the course of his research. Some of the topics documented include Stoneman’s Raid, General Patrick R. Cleburne, the death of W. H. T. Walker, and interviews with Sarah Huff. Many of the notebooks include an index found in the front or back of the volume.

Kurtz’s employment with Selznick International Pictures as technical advisor and historian during the filming of Gone With the Wind is well documented. Kurtz kept a record of his daily activities in a journal, as well as copies of design sketches for several set props. He also maintained files for research conducted on the historical accuracy of costumes, artillery, and infantry tactics utilized in the film.

Another significant portion of the employment materials is dedicated to his research for the Georgia Historical Marker Program. He maintained a series of notebooks with the complete inscription for each marker and files that contain research used to compose the text. Wilbur primarily used maps as a visual aid component of his research; especially the Atlanta Campaign of the Civil War. The bulk of the maps are based on geological survey maps that he used to illustrate troop movements, fortifications, topographical features, and significant landmarks. Additional files contain his correspondence with other Civil War experts and enthusiasts; articles written for various publications; business records pertaining to commissions; the restoration of the Cyclorama of the Battle of Atlanta; and original copies of published and unpublished manuscripts.