New Deal Projects – Living New Deal

Alma Town Hall Additions – Alma CO

This building was originally the Alma School. The school was built in 1925. The PWA funded building additions in 1936. The building now serves as the town hall, library and police department.

Arizona Museum of Natural History (old City Hall) – Mesa AZ

The Arizona Museum of Natural History is housed in a building that was originally the Mesa City Hall. The structure was built in 1937 with Works Progress Administration (WPA) funds and labor, and was designed by Lescher & Mahoney. The new civic… read more

Bama Theatre – Tuscaloosa AL

Construction of the historic Bama Theatre in Tuscaloosa, Alabama was enabled by the provision of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds during the 1930s. The building was constructed as a combination “theatre/municipal auditorium” and “city hall, all under one roof.”… read more

Bandon History Museum (former Bandon City Hall) – Bandon OR

Bandon’s History Museum occupies a structure built by Work Progress Administration (WPA) workers to house the community’s City Hall. After the destruction of the town in the Bandon Fire of September 26, 1936, priority was given to constructing a new… read more

Beekman Town Hall – Beekman NY

This striking stone building was constructed by the WPA in 1940-42. As one local history site explains: “On August 2, 1940 the Town Board offered a resolution which was unanimously carried to hold a special election at the Sylvan Grange… read more

Beekman Town Hall – Poughquag NY

“On August 2,1940 the Town Board offered a resolution which was unanimously carried to hold a special election at the Sylvan Grange Hall in Beekmanville on the 24th of August. The resolution was to erected and construct on its lot… read more

Bennington Town Hall – Bennington NY

This simple wooden building was constructed by the WPA in 1936-37. As the town’s website explained: “Until the 1930’s, town meetings were probably held in the schoolhouse at Bennington Center. In 1936, during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency, the Works Progress… read more

Berwyn Municipal Building – Berwyn IL

The Berwyn Municipal Building was completed in 1939 as a non-federal Public Works Administration project. The architects Hubert Burnham and Charles Herrick Hammond were chosen by the city of Berwyn. It was built in the Moderne style and the main… read more

Biggs City Hall – Biggs CA

The Municipal Building in Biggs CA was constructed under the New Deal with funds and labor from the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which was very active in Butte County. The federal government provided about one-third of the cost and local… read more

Biscayne Park Village Hall – Biscayne Park FL

“By a vote of its 113 citizens, the Town of Biscayne Park was incorporated on December 31, 1931, and on June 16th, 1933, a state charter was granted changing the name to the Village of Biscayne Park. The Works Progress… read more

Borough Building – Wilkinsburg PA

The historic Wilkinsburg Borough Building—also home to the public library—was built in 1939 as a New Deal project: the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $130,014 grant for the project, whose total cost was $407,643. PWA Docket No. PA [X]2209

Borough Hall – Closter NJ

“Closter Borough Hall, erected in 1938, was a triumph of effort and cooperation between our local leaders of that time and the able workforce provided by the federal Works Progress Administration (the “WPA”). Its style is described as Art Deco/Moderne,… read more

Borough Hall – Dunellen NJ

Dunellen, New Jersey’s historic borough hall building was constructed during the Great Depression by the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) ca. 1937. The building is still in use today.

Borough Hall – Emerson NJ

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) built the borough hall of Emerson in 1938-9. The building also houses numerous examples of New Deal artwork.

Borough Hall – Emmaus PA

The historic Emmaus Borough Hall was constructed between 1938 and 1939 with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The PWA supplied a $41,422 grant for the project, whose total cost was $87,141. PWA Docket No. PA X1902.

Borough Hall – Towanda PA

Towanda’s historic Borough Hall building was constructed in 1934 as a New Deal project: the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $7,283 grant for the project, whose total cost was $25,866. PWA Docket No. PA 2005

Borough Hall (former Post Office) – Ambler PA

The historic Ambler Borough Hall was originally constructed as the community’s post office ca. 1937. An example of New Deal artwork constructed for the building has since been relocated.

Borough Hall Improvements – Brooklyn NY

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) undertook a sizable public building improvement project in Brooklyn, New York beginning in 1935. The project involved the “Improvement of Public Buildings and Offices” at more than 30 locations, including Brooklyn’s Borough Hall.

Borough Hall Improvements – Staten Island NY

The federal Works Progress Administration worked to “renovate and repair” several buildings in Staten Island as part of a $225,507 project begun in 1935. Buildings improved included Staten Island’s Borough Hall.

Brewton City Hall (former) – Brewton AL

The Works Progress Administration built a new city hall building for the City of Brewton. The two-story structure with a raised basement was designed to house the City offices, the jail, the fire and police departments, and other uses. The… read more

Brookhaven Town Hall (former) Extension – Patchogue NY

The old Brookhaven Town Hall in Patchogue is located at the northeast corner of South Ocean Ave. & Baker St. According to Sayville’s Suffolk County News in 1939, “The WPA has approved the proposed construction of an extension to the… read more

Burbank City Hall – Burbank CA

Art Deco style WPA project completed in 1943. "A WPA funded regency modern structure. The elaborate fountain located at the front of the building sets the tone of grand entry. The staircase leads past a deco period fountain. As you… read more

Cade Building – Burkeville TX

Text from the state historical marker reads: “To create jobs and bring county services nearer to residents of this area, Newton County officials provided materials and the U.S. Work Projects Administration (WPA) the funds to pay laborers to construct this… read more

Chepachet School (former) – Glocester RI

A small brick school building, built to replace a wooden school on the same site. It was designed by Albert Harkness of Providence, who also designed the Harmony School at the same time. The school replaced five one-room schools in… read more

Chestertown Town Hall (formerly Fire House) – Chestertown MD

According to a wayside marker at the current Chestertown Firehouse (see photo and source note 1 below), the Chestertown Town Hall, at 118 N. Cross Street, was Chestertown’s firehouse for forty years (1938-1978). The old Chestertown Firehouse was one of… read more

City and County Building Repairs – Salt Lake City UT

It is likely that the PWA conducted repairs on the 1894 City and County Building in Salt Lake following an earthquake in 1934, considering that the building appears in the PWA archives. More information is needed to confirm. From the… read more

City Building – Biddeford ME

This classic 1894 brick structure received some attention as part of a large number of New Deal projects being undertaken in the city of Biddeford, Maine. As part of the $120,000.00 Federal expenditures in the town in 1935, the mayor… read more

City Building – Champaign IL

Champaign’s historic City Building was constructed in part with federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds. The building replaced a two-story red brick building that had been on site. The New Deal structure bears a 1935 cornerstone and opened in 1937…. read more

City Building – Yukon OK

“The [former] Yukon City Hall is a two-story light brick building constructed by the WPA in 1936. It faces north and has a centered entrance. The building has five bays, separated by decorative masonry pilasters, with engraving at the tops…. read more

City Building Repairs – Lewiston ME

The mayors address in the 1933 town report mentions a Civil Works Administration project for repairs at the 1892 baroque revival style building. “City building is now being rewired, painted and varnished as you may see.” This project was part… read more

City Hall – Park City UT

City Hall (former Marsac School) - Park City UT

The former Marsac School in Park City, Utah was constructed in 1935-36 with funding from the federal Public Works Administration (PWA). The large structure was built to consolidate schools from around the town. It now serves as the t0wn’s city hall. The building… read more

City Hall – Ainsworth NE

On July 25, 1935, the Ainsworth Star-Journal announced that plans were in the works for a new city hall. The Ainsworth City Council had tentatively approved plans for the new building, drawn by Architect J. F. Reynolds of Lincoln. A… read more

City Hall – Alpine UT

The historic Alpine City Hall was constructed in 1936 as a New Deal project with Works Progress Administration (WPA) labor. It included meeting rooms, an assembly room, public library, jail and fire station. The architecture is a melange of New… read more

City Hall – Austin TX

On September 30, 1937, the City of Austin accepted a grant from the Public Works Administration not to exceed $112,500 to aid in the construction of a city hall and central fire station. The new city hall was a renovation… read more

City Hall – Bellingham WA

From the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies: “Bellingham’s second City Hall [was] designed by Leonard William Somerville Bindon [and] built under Public Works Administration and Federal Works Agency programs of the New Deal in the Art Deco style. Begun in… read more

City Hall – Bigfork MN

Constructed by the WPA in 1936: “The Bigfork City Hall is one of the only original historic buildings still standing in this northwoods town of approximately 450 people. The building, constructed in 1936 as a Depression-era federal relief project, consists… read more