Works Progress Administration Collection

Baker Beach In SF
San Francisco, California: c.1936. Fishermen on Baker Beach enjoy the view of the Golden Gate Bridge under construction

Bethune-Cookman College, Daytona Beach, Florida, 1943. Creator: Gordon Parks
Daytona Beach, Florida. Bethune-Cookman College. Girl welder in the NYA (National Youth Administration) school

Workers Progress Administration masonry bridge over Brazos River, Texas Highway 16, in Palo Pinto County

POSTER: BOOKS, c1938. Don t Gum Up a Book. Poster promoting proper care for library books. Silkscreen by Arlington Gregg, c1938

The Night of January 16th, San Diego, 1938. Creator: Unknown
The Night of January 16th, San Diego, 1938. Savoy Theatre'. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935

Little Women, San Diego, 1938. Creator: Unknown
Little Women, San Diego, 1938. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

The Tailor Becomes a Storekeeper, New York, 1938. Creator: Unknown
The Tailor Becomes a Storekeeper, New York, 1938. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935

Circus, New York, [1935]. Creator: Unknown
Circus, New York, [1935]. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

Professor Mamlock, Los Angles, [193-]. Creator: Unknown
Professor Mamlock, Los Angles, [193-]. Hollywood Playhouse - 6 Days Only - The Federal Theatre Yiddish Unit in "Professor Mamlock" - Friedrich Wolf's Sensational Social Drama - Directed

Children's Festival Week, Los Angeles, CA, 1937. Creator: Unknown
Children's Festival, Week! Los Angeles, 1937. Hansel and Gretel; Marionette Circus; Music in Fairyland, Rip van Winkle marionettes; Pinocchio...Saturday Matinees - Hollywood Playhouse

Arabian Nights Fantasy, Los Angeles, 1936. Creator: Unknown
Arabian Nights Fantasy, Los Angeles, 1936. Greek Open Air Theatre, Griffith Park - Opens Aug. 4th - "Arabian Nights Fantasy" "The Teller of Tales" - Adults 25 c[ents]

Theatre poster, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, [193-]. Creator: Unknown
Theatre poster, Los Angeles, [193-]. Free! Federal Theatre Project - Division of Works Progress Administration - Invite You To Attend The Following Theatres: Beaux Arts Theatre, Beacon near 8th

A Moral Entertainment, Boston, 1938. Creator: Unknown
A Moral Entertainment, Boston, 1938. "A Moral Entertainment" - "An excursion into the early American Theatre" - by Richard Maibaum - Copley Theatre'

A Moral Entertainment, Boston, 1938. Creator: Unknown
A Moral Entertainment, Boston, 1938. Copley Theatre..."A Moral Entertainment" by Richard Maibaum - An Excursion into the Early American Theatre'

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, [193-]. Creator: Unknown
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, [193-]. Freeport Boys Club Benefit - Freeport High School Auditorium...The Federal Theatre for New York State - Presents The Popular American Comedy Success

Iolanthe, New York City, [193-]. Creator: Unknown
Iolanthe, New York City, [193-]. Federal Theatre... presents - the Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company...Iolanthe...Gondoliers - Brooklyn Academy of Music'

Migratory cotton picker with her baby, 1939. Creator: Unknown
Migratory cotton picker with her baby, 1939

Migratory cotton workers, 1939. Creator: Unknown
Migratory cotton workers, 1939

Flight, New York, 1936. Creator: Unknown
Flight, New York, 1936. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

Federal Varieties, New York, 1936. Creator: Unknown
Federal Varieties, New York, 1936. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

The Eternal Prodigal, New York, 1936. Creator: Unknown
The Eternal Prodigal, New York, 1936. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

Einmal Mensch…!, New York, 1936. Creator: Unknown
Einmal Menscha!, New York, 1936. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

The Dictator, New York, 1936. Creator: Unknown
The Dictator, New York, 1936. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

Class of 29, New York, 1936. Creator: Unknown
Class of 29, New York, 1936. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

Bassa Moona, New York, 1936. Creator: Unknown
Bassa Moona, New York, 1936. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

American Holiday, New York, 1936. Creator: Unknown
American Holiday, New York, 1936. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

Free Shows in the Park, New York, [1930s]. Creator: Unknown
Free Shows in the Park, New York, [1930s]. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

Free Shows in the Park, New York, [1930s]. Creator: Unknown
Free Shows in the Park, New York, [1930s]. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

Free Shows in the Park, New York, [1930s]. Creator: Unknown
Free Shows in the Park, New York, [1930s]. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

Vaudeville Show, New York, [1930s]. Creator: Unknown
Vaudeville Show, New York, [1930s]. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

Vaudeville Revue, New York, [1930s]. Creator: Unknown
Vaudeville Revue, New York, [1930s]. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

Vaudeville, New York, [1930s]. Creator: Unknown
Vaudeville, New York, [1930s]. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

Vaudeville Revue, New York, [1930s]. Creator: Unknown
Vaudeville Revue, New York, [1930s]. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

Vaudeville Show, New York, [1930s]. Creator: Unknown
Vaudeville Show, New York, [1930s]. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

Vaudeville, New York, [1930s]. Creator: Unknown
Vaudeville, New York, [1930s]. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

We Live and Laugh, New York, [1930s]. Creator: Unknown
We Live and Laugh, New York, [1930s]. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

We Live and Laugh, New York, [1930s]. Creator: Unknown
We Live and Laugh, New York, [1930s]. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

The Trial of Dr. Beck, New York, [1935]. Creator: Unknown
The Trial of Dr. Beck, New York, [1935]. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

Tons of Money, New York, [1930s]. Creator: Unknown
Tons of Money, New York, [1930s]. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

String Fever, New York, [1930s]. Creator: Unknown
String Fever, New York, [1930s]. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

Spring Frolic, New York, [1930s]. Creator: Unknown
Spring Frolic, New York, [1930s]. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

She Stoops to Conquer, New York, [1930s]. Creator: Unknown
She Stoops to Conquer, New York, [1930s]. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

No More Peace, New York, [1937]. Creator: Unknown
No More Peace, New York, [1937]. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

The Drunkard, New Orleans, 1939. Creator: Unknown
The Drunkard, New Orleans, 1939. The Drunkard - or - The Fallen Saved - St. Charles Theatre - Now Playing'. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S

If Ye Break Faith, Miami, FL, 1938. Creator: Unknown
If Ye Break Faith, Miami, FL, 1938. The Unknown Soldier...of Germany - A Jew; France - A Pacifist; Italy - A Musician; Austria - A Nationalist; England - A Patriot; U.S.A

The Milky Way, Los Angeles, 1938. Creator: Unknown
The Milky Way, Los Angeles, 1938. Mason Opera House...Two Weeks Only - "The Milky Way" by Lynn Root & Harry Clork'. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S

Accent on Youth, Los Angeles, 1938. Creator: Unknown
Accent on Youth, Los Angeles, 1938. Mason Opera House - "Accent on Youth"...by Samson Raphaelson'. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S

Native Ground, New York, [1937]. Creator: Unknown
Native Ground, New York, [1937]. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was a government program in the United States during the Great Depression that aimed to provide employment and economic relief to millions of Americans. One of the notable projects undertaken by the WPA was the construction of a masonry bridge over Brazos River on Texas Highway 16. This bridge not only served as an important transportation link but also provided jobs for workers who desperately needed them. In addition to infrastructure projects, the WPA also focused on promoting education and literacy. A striking poster from around 1938 depicted books with a clear message: "Don't Gum Up a Book. " This campaign encouraged proper care for library books, emphasizing their value and importance in society. The WPA also supported artistic endeavors, such as the study for proposed portfolio titled "Decorated Chests of Rural Pennsylvania" in 1941. This project showcased traditional craftsmanship and celebrated local culture through beautifully decorated chests. However, not all stories associated with the WPA were positive. The church in Malone, Grays Harbor County, Washington had to close its doors when the mill shut down due to economic hardships. Dorothea Lange captured this poignant moment in her photograph, highlighting how communities suffered when industries collapsed. On a more hopeful note, another image taken by Lange showed both old and new courthouses side by side in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. The new courthouse built under the auspices of WPA symbolized progress even amidst challenging times. Lange's photographs also shed light on racial disparities during this era. One powerful image depicted a colored family near Houston, Texas - their faces reflecting resilience despite adversity. The impact of drought was another challenge faced by many Americans during this period. Lange documented drought refugees from Yakima Valley, Washington - families forced to leave their homes seeking better opportunities elsewhere. Furthermore, she captured images of abandoned company houses in Thurston County and Malone's closed mill village - stark reminders of the economic devastation that affected entire communities.