Most of us are familiar with the artwork created by the Works Progress Administration: the striking photography, the murals in state buildings and post offices, the posters, and the public sculptures, but fewer are aware of the work done by the writers and authors who produced that work. The WPA relief programs were widely criticized as… continue reading The Federal Writers' Project American Guides
By written by Nina C. January 18, 2022
As part of his bold New Deal aimed at national reform and recovery in the wake of the Great Depression , President Franklin D. Roosevelt launched the Work Projects Administration (WPA) . The federally funded program focused on putting people back to work and employed some 8.5 million Americans to construct 650,000 miles of roads, 78,000… continue reading The ABCs of the WPA at FLP
By written by Fleisher Collection November 8, 2021
The New Deal, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s political experiment to pull the United States out of the Great Depression, created programs for relief for the unemployed and economic recovery and reform. Evidence of some of these programs can still be found across Philadelphia. Make your own WPA poster at the library October 13 or… continue reading Explore the New Deal’s Legacy Across Philadelphia
By written by Laura S. October 5, 2021
by Laura S. and Caitlin G. It’s been ninety years since the crisis of the Great Depression inspired the New Deal’s government investment and aid. But it’s not just history. The country is again facing a choice: What do we owe our neighbors? What does our country owe us? The Great Depression was a national crisis that affected… continue reading For the Greatest Number: The New Deal Revisited
By written by Administrator August 31, 2021 4
Dox Thrash was an innovative artist and printmaker who gained recognition for his realistic and moving depictions of Black life while working for the federally-funded Philadelphia Fine Print Workshop. Dox Thrash was born in Griffin, Georgia in 1893. He dropped out of school after finishing the fourth grade and… continue reading Spotlight on Special Collections: Artist Dox Thrash and the WPA Printmaking Collection
By written by Laura S. April 23, 2021 1
From the mid-1930s to the early 1940s, artists working for the Federal Art Project’s Poster Division of the Works Progress Administration (WPA, later renamed Work Projects Administration) created thousands of designs for posters in workshops across the United States. You may be familiar with iconic WPA poster images promoting United… continue reading Spotlight on Special Collections: WPA Posters in the Print and Picture Collection
By written by Laura S. December 2, 2019
Katherine Milhous (1894-1977) wore many hats in her time: a supervisor for the Federal Art Project ; an artist for the Pennsylvania Art Project (a subsidiary of the Federal Art Project, which itself was formed under the Work Projects Administration, or W. P. A. ); a book designer; and an author and illustrator. As an illustrator, Milhous… continue reading The Art of Katherine Milhous
By written by Chris B. April 7, 2017
Katherine Milhous (1894-1977) and Frances Lichten (1889-1961) were life partners and artistic collaborators who shared several passions: creating vibrant artwork for children and adults, entertaining in their homey studio on Pine Street, and corresponding with treasured longtime friends. They also shared a love of Philadelphia and respect for… continue reading A Love of Philadelphia
By written by Shahadah A. June 25, 2012 3
With 2011 coming to an end, we want to recognize the 75 th anniversary of one of our favorite children’s books: Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson’s The Story of Ferdinand. Published by Viking Press in 1936, the book has been translated into more than 60 languages (including Latin!) and the rights have recently been acquired by Fox… continue reading Happy Birthday to Ferdinand the Bull!
By written by Caitlin G. December 16, 2011 6
