Colleges and Universities Sites

In the summer of 1935, the College of the City of New York (today's City College of New York), completed construction of the north ramp of Lewisohn Stadium with funding from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) (CCNY Newspaper). Lewisohn Stadium was an amphitheater that served as a public space for athletic, musical, and theatrical performances. The stadium was razed in 1973 in order to expand the academic facilities on campus (CCNY Libraries). Lewisohn Plaza now encompasses the area of what was once the stadium (New York Times).

In 1940, the Public Works Administration (PWA) financed this three-story brick building as a dormitory to house female students at Lincoln University. It is named after Libby Anthony, a “matron” of girls and an instructor in the department of domestic economy.  

Jefferson City, Missouri's Lincoln University received a $10,000 grant from the federal Civil Works Administration (CWA).

Pictured here is a postcard of the Little Chapel in the Woods on the Campus of Texas Woman's University in Denton, TX. It was built by the NYA and designed by O'Neil Ford and Arch Swank (O'Neil Ford is a big name in Texas architecture). Students at the college designed many of the interior features. Mrs. Roosevelt attended its dedication on November 1, 1939. The chapel's website summarizes its construction: "The students and faculty of Texas Woman's University actively participated in both raising the funds for and designing all the artwork in the Chapel. Throughout 1938 and 1939, more than 300 TWU...

Multiple New Deal-supported construction projects were undertaken on the campus of Winthrop University during the 1930s. "The WPA also directed the relocation and reconstruction of the chapel—believed to be designed by Robert Mills—in which Winthrop classes were first held in Columbia, before the college moved to Rock Hill." (sc.gov)

Then known as the State Teachers College at Lock Haven, Lock Haven University benefited during the Great Depression from a large construction project enabled by the federal Public Works Administration (PWA). The PWA provided a $194,680 grant for the project, whose final cost was $623,191. Construction occurred between February 1938 and July 1939. (PWA Docket No. 1857.) Four buildings were constructed on the campus, including the facilities known as Thomas Field House, the Price Auditorium, and Sullivan Hall (originally constructed as a library; demolished 2015). A power plant, also constructed as part of this PWA project, has since too been demolished.

Three buildings at Long Beach City College's Liberal Arts Campus (formerly Long Beach Junior College) were constructed with Public Works Administration (PWA) funding in 1935. The original campus was destroyed by the 1933 Long Beach Earthquake. The English building was constructed "of wood frame and stucco, with 17,400 square feet of floor space" (Short & Stanley-Brown, 1939). The building's status—extant or not—is yet to be confirmed. The physical-science and language/social-science buildings were also completed with PWA funding at this time.

Three buildings at Long Beach City College's Liberal Arts Campus (formerly Long Beach Junior College) were constructed with Public Works Administration (PWA) funding in 1935. The original campus was destroyed by the 1933 Long Beach Earthquake. The language/social-science building "has 20,700 square feet of floor area and is constructed of wood frame and stucco" (Short & Stanley-Brown, 1939). The building's status—extant or not—is yet to be confirmed. The physical-science and English buildings were also completed with PWA funding at this time.

Three buildings at Long Beach City College's Liberal Arts Campus (formerly Long Beach Junior College) were constructed with Public Works Administration (PWA) funding in 1935. The original campus was destroyed by the 1933 Long Beach Earthquake. The physical-science building was "constructed of steel frame and studding, providing approximately 24,000 square feet of usable floor area" (Short & Stanley-Brown, 1939). The building's status—extant or not—is yet to be confirmed. The English and language/social-science buildings were also completed with PWA funding at this time.

Long Hall, on the campus of Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina, was constructed with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The building originally housed the university's Agriculture department, though it now houses the Biology department. The PWA supplied a $220,000 loan and a $180,000 for the building's construction, which was completed at a final cost of $400,888. Construction on the building began in March 1936 and was completed April 1937. (PWA Docket No. SC 1016)  

'This institution covers an area of approximately nine city blocks. The life-science building, the chemistry building, and the library are included in this project. The life-science building contains on two floors: two zoology, one anatomy, one biology, one botany, and one physiology laboratory; two lecture rooms, two classrooms, two workrooms, a dark room, and offices, stockrooms and storerooms. The construction, of concrete, is fireproof and designed to resist earthquakes. It was completed in May 1938 at an estimated construction cost of $108,667 and a project cost of $119,845.'

The WPA, the PWA and the CWA were all involved in working on the LSU campus from 1934 through the late 1930s. As Professor Robert Leighninger Jr. explains in Building Louisiana: "On a typical day I used to drive to work at Louisiana State University (LSU) past a lake reclaimed from swampland by WPA workers... Parker Coliseum (also a WPA project) at the southeastern edge of campus. As I entered the campus, I passed the Student Health Center (WPA) and Himes Hall (a PWA classroom building). Turning into my parking lot, I passed the northern enclosure of the football stadium (WPA). If...

Louisiana State University's historic Parker Coliseum, also known as the Agricultural Center, was constructed by the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1937. The building, which contains numerous artistic details created by artists of the period, is still in use today. WPA Project No. 165-64-2016.

Multiple New Deal-supported construction projects were undertaken on the campus of Winthrop University during the 1930s. "While a U.S. senator, Byrnes arranged for Works Project Administration funds to be used with matching state funds to construct three campus buildings – the auditorium, Thurmond Building, and Macfeat Nursery School, now the Macfeat House, a reception area created from the former Academic Computing Center." (winthrop.edu)

Then known as the Mansfield State Teachers College, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania benefited during the Great Depression from a large construction project enabled by the federal Public Works Administration (PWA). The PWA provided a $194,680 grant for the project, whose final cost was $623,191. Construction occurred between February 1938 and July 1939. (PWA Docket No. 1867.) Four buildings were constructed on the campus, including a home economics building and gym. The present status of these structures is unknown to Living New Deal.

The University of North Texas's Marquis Hall was constructed with federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds. "As North Texas grew boarding houses were no longer adequate to accommodate the student population. Parents often requested a dormitory for women so they would not need to place their daughters in private homes. The first dormitory, Marquis Hall, was built with PWA funds in 1936. It was built to house 100 women and was located between Mulberry and Sycamore streets, near Avenue B. Plans for the dorm were started the year Dr. W. J. McConnell became president.  Unfortunately, President Marquis died soon after the...

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) completed repairs for the Training School Building at Marshall College (today Marshall University) in Huntington, Cabell County. The structure was built in 1937 and served as a laboratory for teachers in training. Also called Burkirk Hall, the structure currently houses administration, offices, and classrooms of the College of Education and Human Services.  

Maxcy College, a dormitory building on the University of South Carolina campus in Columbia, SC, was built in 1937, "part of an extensive building program on campus launched in the late 1930s as part of the New Deal. Originally planned as a student union building, Maxcy College and new wings at Thornwell College were erected at a cost of $225,000, a portion of which was paid for by the Public Works Administration. For some years the building housed administrative offices." The building is located at the north end of campus along Pendleton St. across from Marion St.

"McKissick Museum is located at the heart of the historic Horseshoe on the Columbia campus of the University of South Carolina. It was established in 1976 by the University Board of Trustees to bring together under one roof the many object collections housed in various departments and colleges across campus... The McKissick building is a Works Progress Administration structure erected in 1939 as the University's library. It stands on the site of the first President's house built on the Horseshoe, which was removed to make room for the library in 1937. A plaque commemorating the house lies in front of McKissick...

The since-demolished McLean Stadium of the University of Kentucky was one of many structures that was either constructed or improved with the assistance of federal New Deal funds. "Although unable to secure funding for expanded seating," Eric Moyen writes, the university's Athletic Council "did secure the city of Lexington as a 'project sponsor' for the construction of a press box and running track at the football stadium. The WPA approved a grant in excess of $20,000 for construction, and Lexington paid the remaining $7,000." The site today is known as Stoll Field, the name by which McLean Stadium had been known from...

Auditorium used for theatre, performances, concerts, and school and city activities. It is still used today. First referred to as "Junior College Auditorium", then named "McNeese Main Auditorium", and later "F. G. Bulber Auditorium." The building was the first building completed for the then new McNeese Junior College.

Mell Hall was constructed as the Clemson post office in 1940; as such its construction was funded by the federal Treasury Department. After postal operations relocated the building became part of the Clemson University campus, and it now serves as Clemson, University's housing office. The building is located just off the southern side of Old Greenville Highway between Riggs Field and Bowman Field.

Construction of an addition to the Purdue Memorial Union was enabled by Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds in the form of a $56,200 grant. The total project cost was $163,272. Construction occurred between Dec. 1935 and Sept. 1936. PWA Docket No. IN 1002.

“WPA benefited both local school districts and institutions of higher learning. The OU Memorial Union Tower was built on the Norman campus in 1936.”  

In 1937, architects McClure and Walker of Kearney were hired to draw plans for a new men’s dormitory on the campus of the Kearney State Teachers College. Planned to house 120 to 140 men, the brick building was planned to be three stories tall, 155 feet long and 77 feet wide. In addition to a large cafeteria and dining hall, which would make up one arm of the first floor of the U-shaped building, the building would include between 60 and 72 sleeping rooms, most of them doubles. A large reception room on the first floor and smaller living rooms...

"The I-shaped plan of Abbot Hall was designed as part of a four-dorm complex for male students, including its partner Mason Hall as well as Synder-Phillips residences. Shared common areas including the kitchen and bakery were originally built to link Abbot to Mason Hall. However, in 1958 renovations to basement corridors were completed to allow residents to walk from one hall to the next. Created as the residential complement to the female dormitories in the West Circle Complex, Abbot Hall is similarly Collegiate Gothic in style. The building, named after Theophilus C. Abbot, the third president of the University, features...

"In 1938 the Public Works Administration allocated more than $500,000 toward the final cost of $1,025,000 for an auditorium to accommodate the academic and cultural activities of the growing MSU student body. Designed by O.J. Munson, the Gothic-inspired pointed arches and lancet windows on the entrance facade, and oak paneling, chandeliers, and white marble flooring of the lobby interior, reflect a desire for an elaborate structure to suit its cultural purpose. The limestone spandrels of the three identical entry portals are decorated with images of comedy, tragedy, musical instruments, and vines. Munson’s building houses two theaters, the large Auditorium at the...

"Designed by O. J. Munson and funded by the WPA/ FAP and a gift from the Class of 1937, the Band Shell was located where Bessey Hall now stands (see map). As captured in this 1954 photograph of a performance of the Michigan State College Band, the open-air stage was frequently used for musical performances as well as commencement ceremonies and pep rallies."

"In 1938 PWA funds were secured to expand the Veterinary Clinic, erected in 1913 on the southeast corner of Farm Lane and East Circle Drive. Designed by the Bowd-Munson architectural firm, the addition blended well with the Collegiate Gothic style of the existing structure. In 1952, a Veterinary Clinic added, joining the Department of Anatomy and Animal Pathology to form Giltner Hall. This building honors former professor and Dean of Veterinary Medicine, Ward Giltner (1882 – 1950) and houses scientific laboratories and classrooms."

"The estate of alumnus Frederick Cowles Jenison and the PWA funded this building, originally designed to house male athletic activities. Characteristic of early 1940s architecture, the horizontal and vertical elements culminate in a monumental entrance, accentuated by low reliefs. From left to right, these glass-brick limestone reliefs depict basketball, football, and baseball athletes. The main entrance hall is embellished with Art Deco details from the brass and wood staircase railing to the streamlined, geometric lighting in the foyer and main lobby."

"The hipped roof, limestone trim and simple design of the PWA-funded Music Building complement the Collegiate Gothic and other architectural styles of this historic section of campus. The large, metal-framed windows, however, allude to future stylistic developments. Samuel Cashwan, supervisor of the Michigan Sculpture Program for the WPA, designed the Art Deco limestone reliefs framing the southwest entrance. They depict images of dance and performance, such as children dancing to the beat of drums."

"This PWA building by architect Ralph R. Calder, built in memory of Richard M. Olin, M.D., was considered “modern in every detail.” Although additions to the building were made in 1956 and 1969, the bulky massing, textural variety, and minimalist limestone trim distinguish this building from others nearby. Samuel Cashwan designed the twelve symbolic reliefs that frame the main entryway. He chose the fitting subject of the healing arts, framing the building’s name with two Greek goddesses of health, Panacea and Hygeia. The two pilasters display themes from modern medicine. On the left, in descending order, they are “Medical Magic,”...

"Although the original structure of the MSU Union, built in 1924 by Pond and Pond, was not government sponsored, in 1936 $150,000 was secured in WPA funds to add the east wing. The Michigan architectural firm Bowd-Munson completed this addition."

The Work projects Administration (WPA) worked to construct the Military Science Building at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. "Construction began in spring 1941 on this project and was completed by legislative appropriations after the WPA was disbanded." The building is still in use. WPA Project No. 165-1-82-153. Cost: $83,732. Sponsor: War Department

Multiple New Deal-supported construction projects were undertaken on the campus of South Carolina State University during the Great Depression. "his three-story brick men's dormitory was constructed with Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works funds." (sc.gov)

Public Works Administration W1205 funded construction of a two-story brick Neo-Classical dormitory for what was then known as Harrison-Stone-Jackson Junior College. A loan of $64,000 and a grant of $52,364 toward the total estimated cost of $116,364 was approved 8/26/1936. Construction began 3/16/1937 and was completed 3/24/1938 at a total cost of $117,473. Architect was Vinson B. Smith, Jr. and the builder/contractor was Newton & Schmoll. It contains 62 rooms and was the only major structure built on the campus during the Great Depression. Historic renovations were made in 1974, and renovations and remodeling for a board room addition was...

Projects w1209, w1226-1 and w1226-2 constructed buildings on the campus of then Mississippi State College (now Mississippi State University). The projects were part of a 5-year building program from 1934-1939 totaling $1,424,478. The Bedenbaugh Animal Science Building (currently in use as the Bedenbaugh Animal Laboratory) was completed 1939 as part of the 5-year building program. Harry W. Stevens was the architect.

Projects w1209, w1226-1 and w1226-2 constructed buildings on the campus of then Mississippi State College (now Mississippi State University). The projects were part of a 5-year building program from 1934-1939 totaling $1,424,478. The Box Building was formerly a faculty residence located on President's Circle and was relocated and brick-veneered. The house was one of several faculty apartment houses and residences constructed during the program. The 1939 Georgian Revival style was originally at 29-31 President's Circle, and now is located on Morrill Road. Architects were Stevens & Johnson.

Projects w1209, w1226-1 and w1226-2 constructed buildings on the campus of then Mississippi State College (now Mississippi State University). The projects were part of a 5-year building program from 1934-1939 totaling $1,424,478. Reworking of the then Chemistry Building with alterations and repairs was one part of the multi-project program. Construction and repair was done by I. C. Garber & Son, plumbing and heating by Arthur Horne, and electric wiring by Edgar Walker.

Projects w1209, w1226-1 and w1226-2 constructed buildings on the campus of then Mississippi State College (now Mississippi State University). The projects were part of a 5-year building program from 1934-1939 totaling $1,424,478. Seven faculty apartment buildings and six residences were constructed under the Public Works Administration funded program. The apartment residences for faculty and staff were 2-story structures in the Georgian Revival Style. Some were frame construction and others brick/stucco. At least 3 of the brick structures are extant, and at least 1 of the frame residences. Architect firm was Johnston & Stevens.