The present Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling is the site of the former Anacostia US Naval Air Station and the former Bolling Air Field, both founded in 1918. Bolling Field was absorbed into the Naval Air Station in the 1940s and a… read more
Project cards in the National Archives index describes extensive work to be undertaken by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Arlington National Cemetery in 1938-41. “Reconstruct and improve roads and streets in Arlington National Cemetery Reservation located near Fort… read more
Anacostia Drive, which runs through Anacostia Park and alongside the Anacostia River, was almost certainly worked on during the New Deal – more than once – though the evidence is not conclusive. According to a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project… read more
The Soldiers’ Home was established in 1851, as an “asylum for old and disabled veterans.” Four of the original buildings still stand and are listed as national historic landmarks. The U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home remains a thriving community of military… read more
The present Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling is the site of the former Anacostia US Naval Air Station and the former Bolling Air Field, both founded in 1918. Bolling Field was absorbed into the Naval Air Station in the 1940s and a… read more
From 1933 to 1941, New Deal relief workers added a number of new animal exhibit areas to the National Zoo, as well as improving existing enclosures. The following are sketches of the significant work performed at a dozen areas, taken… read more
During the 1930s, Banneker Recreation Area was developed as part of a larger Capital Parks improvement program undertaken by the Public Works Administration (PWA), Civil Work Adminstration (CWA), Works Progress Administration (WPA), and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Notably, the CWA was… read more
Formerly known as the Army War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair is a U.S. Army post located at the confluence of the Potomac and the Anacostia Rivers. The site has been an army post for more than 200 years. During… read more
The Civil Works Administration (CWA) installed a 16-inch water main along Alabama Avenue SE in 1933-4. This was at the beginning of an extensive program of building new water mains and sewers all across the District of Columbia by New… read more
The Civil Works Administration (CWA) lay a water main along Fourth Street SW in 1934. At the time, the street was known as 4 1/2 street. This was at the beginning of an extensive program of building new water mains… read more