Northampton Sites

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted improvement work at the historic armory building in Northampton, Mass. WPA project details: "Improve Armory" Official Project Number: 465‐14‐2‐330 Total project cost: $11,717.00 Sponsor: Adjutant General's Office

In March 1936, the Connecticut River Valley was inundated by one of the most severe floods in recorded history. The water level reached over 12 feet above flood stage and carried huge chunks of ice down the river. The raging water and ice knocked out dams, washed away homes, and lifted bridges off their footings, including the bridge that connects Northampton to Hadley via Route 9. This was and is a heavily traveled route so immediate reconstruction of the bridge was imperative. The Massachusetts Department of Public Works requested and received funds to rebuild the bridge from the federal government through...

In response to heavy flooding after a severe storm in 1936, Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) labor—under the direction of U.S. Army engineers—constructed dikes along the Connecticut River in many Massachusetts communities, including Northampton. The exact status and locations of these dikes is presently unknown to Living New Deal. WPA project details: "Provide flood protection by constructing a new earth dike and enlargening existing dike" Official Project Number: 713‐2‐87 Total project cost: $215,000.00 Sponsor: War Department

Almost fifty years after he painted this mural, Alfred Crimi reflected on its origins and later developments: “Most gratifying was the honor I received from the City of Northampton, Massachusetts, in the fall of 1980. In 1940 I had painted a mural for the Post Office Building in Northampton entitled 'Work, Religion, and Education.' This commission had been awarded through national competition under the auspices of the Section of Painting and Sculpture, Treasury Department, Washington, D.C. Now that the building was sold, the mural was taken down to be rolled up and sent to the Smithsonian Institution where it most likely...

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted extensive improvements at Look Memorial Park in Northampton, Mass. Among the work was riprapping Mill River in an effort at flood and erosion control.  

An extension to the old Northampton Post Office was constructed in 1938 with Treasury Department funds. It is located at 47 Pleasant Street, and currently houses various private offices. "The building was built in 1903 as a United States Post Office. It was expanded during subsequent years, then decommissioned and sold by the Postal Service in 1979. The building was renovated in 1990. It is constructed of stone and brick in Neoclassical design enhanced with two story graceful palladium windows, concrete columns, and impressive wood detail."    

Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) labor conducted repairs at what was then known as Smith's Agricultural School in Northampton, Mass. WPA Bulletin: The old slate roof of the main Administration Building, Smith Agricultural School, Northampton, which was badly in need of repair has been removed by WPA workmen and replaced with solid squares of new slate.