The Virgil Barker Papers document the career of an influential critic and historian, and provide a interesting record of American art history from 1920-60.  The papers contain Barker's writings on art history, American culture, literature, his own life and critical perspective, the post-World War I generation and other topics.  In addition to Barker's writings and correspondence, programs from European and American art exhibitions, newspaper and magazine clippings, prints, sketches and other materials appear among the papers.