The former Mark Twain Memorial Bridge, spanning the Mississippi River between Hannibal, Missouri and Illinois, was constructed as a Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) project. A preserved portion of the old Mark Twain Memorial Bridge remains on the west bank of the… read more
“Using federal relief funds, the park district soon converted the golf shelter into a more substantial fieldhouse, and built comfort stations, and a series of footbridges leading to the islands.”
The mural “Spring and Fall” was painted by Grace Spongberg in 1939 with support from the WPA Federal Art Project.
The Massac County Courthouse in Metropolis is one of six New Deal county courthouses built by the New Deal. It would have been funded by the Public Works Administration (PWA), not the WPA, as commonly thought. The design, by architect… read more
In Feb. 1936 the Tribune reported Oak Park would be building a new branch of their public library thanks to a grant from the Public Works Administration (PWA). Library directors proposed the idea for the expansion. They wanted the South… read more
This mural was originally a four-panel screen. Its three remaining panels, each 8′ x 4′, were restored in 2001.
This former home/headquarters to the first Superintendent of Dupage Forest Preserve, Robert L. McKee, was constructed with the assistance of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The limestone quarried for this building was done by McDowell Grove CCC Camp workers. The… read more
The Melrose Park Library is located in the building that was previously the main post office for Melrose Park. In 2007 “Airmail” was rediscovered hidden by a drop ceiling. It was painted by Edwin Boyd Johnson in 1937 with funding… read more
On March 8, 1936, The Chicago Daily Tribune announced the arrival of The Federal Theatre Project (FTP) at two major theaters in Chicago: the Great Northern and the Blackstone. Over the life of the FTP, the Blackstone Theater was used… read more
“This building constitutes a cultural and recreational community center. It was constructed with a donation of site and of $40,000 by a citizen of Ashton and with the aid of the P.W.A. It provides a public library, a stack room,… read more
In February 1939, bids were collected by the city subway department to begin construction for the first section of the Milwaukee-Dearborn street subway system that would create a 3,322 foot section of the tunnel between Chicago and Haddon avenues (“Dearborn… read more
“With extensive funding available through Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, the park district began many park improvements, including the Montrose to Foster landfill extension. The plan for the extension included several buildings, and all of them were designed by E.V…. read more
The historic Morgan Park post office in Chicago, Illinois was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds in 1936. The building is still in service.
The two 2’6″ x 30′ panels of this mural “Children’s Activities” by Lucile Ward were completed with the help of WPA Federal Art Project funds in 1938 and restored in 2001.
Mound City National Cemetery was improved as part of Federal Project F-87 by the federal Civil Works Administration (CWA). The work done “included the resetting, realigning and cleaning of headstones … as well as the filling-in of sunken graves.”
A Public Works Administration grant helped fund the construction of Mount Greenwood Elementary School at 108th Street and South Homan Avenue in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood neighborhood. The new school was designed by Board of Education architect John Charles Christensen. The… read more
This 10′ x 15′ mural “Michelangelo in the Medici Gardens, 1490” was painted by Helen Finch in 1937 with funding from the WPA Federal Art Project.
“Characters From Children’s Literature,” consisting of two 6′ x 20′ panels, was painted by Charles Freeman in 1937 with funding from the WPA Federal Art Project.
This 6′ x 20′ mural “Mozart at the Court of Maria Theresa, 1762” was painted by Elizabeth Gibson in 1937 with funding from the WPA Federal Art Project.
Mt. Vernon Township high school was expanded during the 1930s with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. The school’s original building B was supplemented by three new structures Buildings A, D, and E (a classroom building, an… read more
“Galena wanted better fire protection. They also began efforts to get the federal government to build the new station. They would ultimately be successful, the government having already built a new public swimming pool for the community…”
Emmanuel Viviano created these ceramic tile lunettes with funding from the WPA Federal Art Project. Located at Nancy Hill School in Aurora IL, the four ceramic tile lunettes are signed by Emmanuel Vivianno. The four lunettes are: Deer, Dear and… read more
Walnut plaque created/signed by PeterPaul Ott in memory of Nancy Hill. “A Memory of Nancy L. Hill, Principal, West Aurora Schools 1903 – 1928.” The plaque currently is on display in the north entrance corridor of the school. Please note… read more
The two panels of this mural titled “History of Transportation” are part of a 31′ long panorama originally installed at Lawson School. The mural was painted by Gustaf Dahlstrom with support from the WPA’s Federal Art Project.
"This abstract mural by Rudolph Weisenborn, made in 1939, is a treasured New Deal artifact located in Nettlehorst Elementary School in Chicago." (Flynn and Polese) The mural is entitled "Contemporary Chicago." "Rudolph Weisenborns mural at Nettelhorst Elementary shows his interest… read more
The 3’2″ x 8’6″ mural “Horses in Literature,” which hangs in Chicago, Illinois’s Nettlehorst School, was painted by Ethel Spears during the Great Depression with Federal Art Project funds.
An unknown artist painted this oil on canvas mural, located in Room M284 of New Trier High School, in 1937 with funding from the WPA Federal Art Project. The mural measures 8′ by 8’6″.
This mural “Town Meeting” was produced with WPA Federal Art Project funds and painted by Archibald J. Motley, Jr.
Prior to being a sun-bathing destination, the area now known as the North Avenue Beach was a final resting place for thousands of Chicagoans. In 1835, Chicago authorities set aside land for two cemeteries, one on the south and north… read more
This ceramic relief “Physical Education” by Louise Pain was created with funding from the WPA Federal Art Project.
The O’Toole School contains a WPA mural entitled “Characters from Children’s Literatur” by Alex Topp (Topchevsky). “Alex Topp was born in Chicago, where he studied at the Hull House under his older brother Morris and earned his MFA from the Art… read more
Frances Badger completed these two oil-on-canvas murals, entitled “Sailor with Spyglass” and “Treasure Island,” in 1936 with funds provided by the Works Progress Administration’s Federal Art Project. They were originally painted for the Louis Stevenson Playground but have… read more
Bas relief murals depicting agricultural and economic themes were completed between 1938 and 1940 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
“The WPA would later aid in … Oak Ridge Cemetery” improvement projects.
This fresco (overpainted with acrylic during restoration) by Ethel Spears was completed with FAP funds in 1936.
This mural (4 large and 8 small panels) entitled “The Legend of Charlemagne” by Carl Scheffler was completed with FAP funds in 1936.
This sculpture was completed with FAP funds in 1936. The original ceramic tile has been lost.
In 1939, Alfred Lenzi designed two wooden reliefs for the Oakton school with WPA Federal Art Project funds. The 3′ x 9′ “Farm Animals” was completed with assistance from wood worker Rudolph Franz. The 3′ x 11′ “Wild Animals” was… read more
The Old Fire Station in Chester, Illinois was constructed in 1935 and served as a firehouse until 1961. The decommissioned building is presently used for storage. While some documents are unable to distinguish the particular New Deal agency responsible for… read more
The two 9′ x 34′ panels of the mural “The Children’s World” were painted by Francis Coan with WPA Federal Art Project funds. They were moved from the Hild Library and restored in 1998.
Check out our latest map and guide to the work of the New Deal in Washington, D.C. It includes 500 New Deal sites in the District alone, highlighting 34 notable sites, and includes an inset map of the area around the National Mall which can be used for self-guided walking tours.
Take a look at our previous guides, equally comprehensive, covering key New Deal sites in San Francisco and New York City.
