Connecticut Sites

Originally built as Ansonia High School, what is now the Ansonia Middle School was constructed in 1937 with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds. The building has since been modified. "The plan of this building is a departure from the customary school plan. The auditorium is separated from the classroom wing by an open porch, above which are classrooms. The building contains 24 classrooms, administrative offices, a small clinic, a gymnasium, and an auditorium seating 752 students and having a well-equipped stage. The shape of the structure allows extensive playing fields on the property.   The construction consists of...

W.P.A. improvements to the former Armory building (which Living New Deal believes to be on Washington Ave., and since demolished) in New London, CT included the following projects: Construct armory and drill shed Official Project Number: 165‐1‐15‐145 Total project cost: $219,898.00 Sponsor: State Department of Public Works Repair and improve Armory building Official Project Number: 165‐15‐2005 Total project cost: $682.00 Sponsor: Quartermaster General's Department

W.P.A. improvements to the former Armory building in Norwich, CT, included: "Paint interior and exterior of Armory building". Official Project Number: 65‐15‐1940

The W.P.A. conducted repair and improvement work to the former Armory building in Ansonia, CT. Official Project Number: 165‐15‐2131 Total project cost: $5,190.00 Sponsor: Quartermaster General's Department "Repair, paint, and varnish interior and exterior of building" Official Project Number: 165‐15‐X0XX Total project cost: $814.00 Sponsor: Quartermaster General's Department

W.P.A. improvements to the former armory in Bristol, CT included: "paint and improve electrical wiring." Official Project Number: 165‐15‐3044 Total project cost: $710.00 Sponsor: Quartermaster General's Department

The W.P.A. conducted repair and improvement work to the now-former Armory building in Manchester, CT. Official Project Number: 165‐15‐2083 Total project cost: $3,816.00 Sponsor: Quartermaster General's Department Official Project Number: 65‐15‐1877

W.P.A. improvements to the former Armory building in New Britain, CT, included: "Paint and varnish interior of Armory". Official Project Number: 65‐15‐1687

The W.P.A. conducted repair and improvement work to the former Armory building in Middletown, CT. Official Project Number: 165‐15‐2105 Total project cost: $7,082.00 Sponsor: Quartermaster General's Department

W.P.A. improvements to the former Armory building in New Britain, CT, included: "paint and varnish interior and exterior of building". Official Project Number: 165‐15‐X01X Total project cost: $548.00 Sponsor: Quartermaster General's Department

W.P.A. improvements to the former Armory building, which Living New Deal believes to be the facility at 869 Orange St., include: Paint interior and exterior of building Official Project Number: 165‐15‐2055 Total project cost: $1,474.00 Sponsor: Quartermaster General's Department Paint interior and exterior of Cavalry Armory building Official Project Number: 65‐15‐1947

W.P.A. improvements to the former Armory in Torrington, CT included the following projects, sponsored by the Quartermaster General's Department: Paint interior and exterior of building, patch plaster, and install electric outlets Official Project Number: 165‐15‐2011 Total project cost: $547.00 Paint ceiling of drill shed and repair building Official Project Number: 465‐15‐2‐62 Total project cost: $3,225.00 Paint interior and exterior of building, patch plaster, and install electric outlets Official Project Number: 65‐13‐1875 Total project cost: N/A

W.P.A. improvements to the historic former Armory building in Wallingford, CT, included: "Repair and improve state armory building" Official Project Number: 165‐15‐2102 Total project cost: $1,828.00 Sponsor: State of Connecticut Quartermaster General's Department "Paint and varnish interior and exterior of building" Official Project Number: 165‐15‐3014 Total project cost: $597.00 Sponsor: State of Connecticut Quartermaster General's Department The armory now houses Wallingford's police department.

W.P.A. improvements to the former Armory building in West Hartford, CT, included: "Paint armory, and patch and point plaster and brickwork". Official Project Number: 165‐15‐20X0 Total project cost: $1,554.00 Sponsor: State of Connecticut Quartermaster General Department

W.P.A. improvements to the former Armory building in Willimantic, CT, including: "Paint and varnish interior and exterior and repair building" Official Project Number: 65‐15‐1XXX Total project cost: N/A Sponsor: Quartermaster General's Department "Construct housing and training facilities" Official Project Number: 165‐1‐15‐146 Total project cost: $53,679.00 Sponsor: State of Connecticut, Department of Public Works "Paint and varnish interior and exterior and repair building" Official Project Number: 165‐15‐2045 Total project cost: $813.00 Sponsor: Quartermaster General's Department

W.P.A. improvements to the historic Armory building in Branford, CT, included: "Patch, plaster, paint, and varnish Armory building". Official Project Number: 165‐15‐2081 Total project cost: $2,182.00 Sponsor: State of Connecticut Quartermaster General's Department "Painting and repairing of Armory" Official Project Number: 65‐15‐1945

W.P.A. improvements to the historic Armory building in Waterbury, CT, included: "Paint and varnish interior and exterior of building" Official Project Number: 165‐15‐2035 Total project cost: $2,092.00 Sponsor: State of Connecticut Quartermaster General's Department "General repairs at Armory" Official Project Number: 65‐15‐2105

W.P.A. improvements to the historic former Armory building in West Haven, CT, included: "Paint and varnish interior rooms". Official Project Number: 165‐15‐4007 Total project cost: $477.00 Sponsor: Quartermaster General's Department "Paint and varnish interior of Armory" Official Project Number: 65‐15‐1973

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted a project in East Hartford involving "Ash Street grading and surface drain job."

Multiple projects were "planned, staked out and supervised" by West Hartford's Engineering Department in 1935-6 utilizing Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) and/or Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) labor. One such project involved storm sewer construction along Auburn Road.

The C.C.C.'s Camp Conner constructed Avery Road in western Stafford, Connecticut.

With funding from the Civil Works Administration (CWA), the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), and, later, the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the City of New Haven CT was able to construct a parkway from West Rock Park to a location six miles away known as Bethany Gap. According to the New Haven Museum, funds appropriated for the construction of the parkway helped “put unemployed persons to work during a period of record unemployment in the nation and state.” Baldwin Drive continues to serve residents today. 

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) paved 34 streets in Hartford, Connecticut, including Barbour Street, as part of a $2.5 million, two-year paving project begun in 1937. The federal government contributed $1 million.

In 1927, the Metropolitan District Commission, which is the water works agency for the city of Hartford, Connecticut, purchased land on the Farmington River, northwest of the city, to construct a dam and reservoir. In order to build the dam, many people had to be moved off of the land around the area where the dam was being built and surrounding areas that were to be flooded. This was a difficult and controversial process, but the dam was seen as more important to the greater good of the region. As it turned out, when the Great Depression hit, many families...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) paved 34 streets in Hartford, Connecticut, including Bartholomew Street from Park Street to Hamilton Street, as part of a $2.5 million, two-year paving project begun in 1937. The federal government contributed $1 million.

In 1933/4 the federal Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) furnished the labor toward improvements at Beach Park in West Hartford, including the clearing of floral detritus.

In 1933/4 the federal Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) furnished the labor for redecoration / painting full interior of the now-former Beach Park School in West Hartford, Connecticut. The building now houses the School for Young Children at the University of Saint Joseph.

In 1933/4 the federal Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) furnished the labor toward the development of Beachland Park in West Hartford—specifically the planting of trees and shrubs on the grounds. Work was continued by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.), which took to grading tennis courts on site; improving the baseball field and covering a brook; and remodeling an old creamery on the grounds.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed the Beachland Park pool and bathhouse in West Hartford CT in 1936.  

The Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.) constructed Bear Swamp Road.

The historic Belden Station post office in Norwalk, Connecticut was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds in 1937. The building, which houses an example of New Deal artwork, is still in service.

The Section of Fine Arts mural entitled "Building Norwalk" was painted in 1938 by Arnold Blanch for the Belden Station post office in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Originally constructed as a high school, what is now Norwalk's Benjamin Franklin Middle School was constructed with federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds. The P.W.A. contributed a $407,676 grant for the project, whose total cost was $909,689. Primary construction occurred between Dec. 1935 and Nov. 1937. The building also houses examples of New Deal artwork installed soon after the building's completion. P.W.A. Docket No. CT 1128 This school has closed and it is now the Crystal Theatre. Arrangements to see the murals can be made by calling the Crystal Theatre at 203-847-4850.

The former Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Norwalk, Connecticut houses two 15' x 11' oil on canvas murals by Harry Townsend, titled "Work, the Soul of Progress" and “Arrival of the First Settlers.” They were painted in 1938 for the building, then Norwalk's newly completed high school, under the WPA's Federal Art Project. They are located in the building's auditorium. Restoration Info: Property of City of Norwalk, CT, WPA Art Collection This school has closed and it is now the Crystal Theatre. Arrangements to see the murals can be made by calling the Crystal Theatre at 203-847-4850.

"Camp Stuart's enrollees built fishing access for disabled veterans of World War I along several pools of the Blackledge River. This was one of the earliest attempts to provide fishing access for the handicapped."

The history of Boyle Stadium, which is located behind Stamford High School, is detailed on the school's website: "Beginning in 1935, federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) funds helped support the construction behind Stamford High of the high school stadium in Connecticut. The stadium was completed over several years and, like today, was the site of athletic competitions and graduation ceremonies. It was named the Michael A. Boyle Stadium in 1942, after SHS' famous athletic director and football coach. In the 1940s, Boyle Stadium was the training field for students preparing for military service in World War II." "The first baseball game...

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed a "recreational area for swimming at Bragg Pond."

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) installed water pipes and sewers along Bridge Street in Groton, Connecticut.

The federal Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) funded the labor for some paving work of Brighton Road in West Hartford, Connecticut.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) paved 34 streets in Hartford, Connecticut, including the 0.6-mile stretch of Broad Street from New Britain Avenue to Maple Avenue, as part of a $2.5 million, two-year paving project begun in 1937. The federal government contributed $1 million.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted a project "the clearing and grubbing of land on the eastern edge of the Burnside Avenue Playground and installation of drives and walks." Furthermore, the WPA installed a "new drinking fountain ... at the Burnside Avenue Plavground near the tennis courts. This was done in connection with the laying of a new six-inch water feed line for filling the wading pool." The park in question is unclear to Living New Deal.