Heartening news from St. Helena, California: Rep. Mike Thompson (D) is leading the charge for a stamp memorializing Lew Keller’s “Grape Pickers,” a WPA mural installed at the St. Helena Post Office in 1942.
Thompson and four other Congressmembers recently drafted a letter to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (yes, there’s a CSAC) proposing stamps of WPA post office murals in St. Helena; Safford, Arizona; Long Prairie, Minnesota; Waurika, Oklahoma; and Greybull, Wyoming. As quoted in the St. Helena Star, the letter argued that “The WPA mural is a precious visual reminder to our citizens of all ages of our rich history…. This stamp would honor the time and dedication of the families and individuals who devoted their time and energy to develop the land and agriculture of Northern California. Without them, the Napa Valley’s legendary wine industry would not be what it is today.”
Letters of support can be sent to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3300, Washington, D.C. 20260-3501.