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Past Tracker |

The Great Depression - Society and Culture

Pre-Statehood Era: 1700-1818

Early Statehood: 1818-1861

Civil War Era: 1861-1865

Late 19th Century: 1866-1900

Early 20th Century: 1900-1914

World War I: 1914-1918

Roaring Twenties: 1918-1929

Great Depression: 1930-1941

World War II: 1941-1945

Cold War Era: 1946-1991

Millennium: 1991-Present

Lesson Plans

Resources

Children and Family

WPA Posters Collection

The Work Projects Administration (WPA) was formed during the federal New Deal of the 1930's. Many Americans suffering from unemployment during the Great Depression received work through federal and local government. Posters produced by the WPA endorsed various subjects, including the war effort, public safety, health, and social initiatives. The posters included on Past Tracker from the Library of Congress collection were all created in Illinois. For more information and images, see the WPA Posters Collection on the Library of Congress page at: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collections/wpapos/

Boys-Are You Interested in a Job?, WPA Poster, 1936-37

  • This is a poster for the Illinois branch of the National Youth Administration (NYA) promoting educational opportunities for young men seeking training for employment. It shows a young man admiring his work.

  • Citation: “Boys – Are You Interested in a Job?: Find Out What an Occupation Has to Offer You in Pay, Employment, Security, and Promotion: Free Classes in Occupations,” Illinois: Federal Art Project, 1936-1937, accessed through WPA Posters collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/wpapos/item/98518248/

Girls-Are You Interested in a Job?, WPA Poster, 1936-37

  • This poster advertises for the Illinois branch of the National Youth Administration (NYA) promoting educational opportunities for young women seeking training for employment. It depicts four women engaged in various job pursuits.

  • Citation: “Girls – Are You Interested in a Job?: Find Out What an Occupation Has to Offer You in Pay, Employment, Security, and Promotion: Free Classes in Occupations,” Illinois: Federal Art Project, 1936-1937, accessed through WPA Posters collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/wpapos/item/98517815/

Sand Modeling, WPA Poster, 1936-39

  • This poster depicts a boy and a girl playing in sand as part of a WPA Recreation Project for District Number 2: Kane, Cook, DuPage, and Will Counties.

  • Citation: “Sand Modeling: W.P.A. Recreation Project – Dist. No. 2 / Shari,” Chicago: WPA Federal Art Project,1936-1939, accessed through WPA Posters collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/wpapos/item/98513532/

Story Hour, WPA Poster, 1936-39

  • This poster shows a girl sitting at the knees of a woman holding an open book. Story hour was part of a W.P.A. Recreation Project for District Number 2: Kane, Cook, DuPage, and Will Counties.

  • Citation: “Story Hour: W.P.A. Recreation Project – Dist. No. 2 / Shari,” Illinois: Federal Art Project, 1936-1939, accessed through WPA Posters collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/wpapos/item/98513534/

Art Classes for Children, WPA Posters, 1936-40 1 / 2

  • This poster, designed by REK, depicts a child drawing on an easel.

  • This poster, designed by Erel Osborn, depicts an abstractly-sketched child drawing with a pencil.

  • Citation:

Exhibition of Art by Children, WPA Posters, 1936-40 1 / 2 / 3

  • This poster, designed by Erel Osborn, promotes an upcoming exhibition of children's art and shows a cow and a house.

  • This poster is another which promotes an exhibition of children's art. It depicts a girl holding a paintbrush and standing next to an easel.

  • This poster shows a child's hand on an artist's palette and is another poster for an exhibition of children's art.

  • Citation:

A Lifelong Job, WPA Poster, 1936-41

  • Designed by E.S. Reid, this poster from The Cook County Public Health Unit depicts a woman and two children in the rain.

  • Citation: “A Lifelong Job – The Constant Protection of Their Health – The Cook County Public Health Unit / E.S. Reid,” Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project, 1936-1941, accessed through WPA Posters collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/wpapos/item/98513455/

Father & Son Banquet, WPA Poster, 1939

  • This poster advertises for a father and son banquet, sponsored by the Chicago Urban League, at the Savoy Ballroom. It depicts a finely-dressed man and boy.

  • Citation: “Father & Son Banquet,” Illinois: Federal Art Project, 1939, accessed through WPA Posters collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/wpapos/item/98508193/

Doll and Buggy Parade, WPA Poster, 1939

  • This poster by Joseph Dusek shows a parade of girls pushing baby carriages and is another WPA Recreation Project for District Number 2--Kane, Cook, DuPage, and Will Counties.

  • Citation: “Doll & Buggy Parade – W.P.A. Recreation Project, Dist. No. 2 / Dusek,” Illinois: Federal Art Project, 1939, accessed through WPA Posters collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/wpapos/item/98508975/

September - Back to Work, Back to School, Back to Books, WPA Posters, 1940 1 / 2

  • This poster, by V. Donaghue, promotes reading and library use. It depicts a girl pulling a younger boy away from bookshelves.

  • This poster for the WPA Statewide Library Project shows a boy holding a book in his raised hand.

  • Citation:

Art Classes for Children, WPA Posters, 1940 1 / 2

  • This poster announces the availability of children's art classes and shows a drawing of a child's face.

  • This poster, by Albert M. Bender, also promotes children's art classes. It depicts a boy and girl painting on easels.

  • Citation:

Jobs - Get the Facts About Occupations, WPA Poster, 1941

  • This poster from the National Youth Administration of Illinois announces the availability of job training for young men and women. It shows a young woman holding books and a young man holding machine parts, with factories and city skyline below.

  • Citation: “Jobs – Get the Facts About Occupations – Free Classes for Young Men and Women 16 to 25 Yrs. – National Youth Administration of Illinois / Dusek,” Illinois: Federal Art Project, 1941, accessed through WPA Posters collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/wpapos/item/98509768/

Education

Art, WPA Poster, 1936-37

  • This poster, from the WPA Adult Education Program of the Chicago Board of Education, announced free neighborhood art classes and showed men and women working at easels.

  • Citation: “Art – Free Neighborhood Classes for Adults … Enroll Now,” Chicago: Federal Art Project, 1936-1937, accessed through "By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943." Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/wpapos/item/98508349/

Story Hour, WPA Poster, 1936-39

  • See above in Children and Family section

New Trier Evening School, WPA Poster, 1936-41

  • This poster shows a woman wearing an apron with her hand in a bowl of food. Classes in language, home economics, commerce, and science are advertised.

  • Citation: “New Trier Evening School: Classes for Adults, Wednesday Evenings 7:30 – 9:30,” Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project, 1936-1941, accessed through WPA Posters collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/wpapos/item/98509522/

Art Week Chicago, WPA Poster, 1936-41

  • This poster promoted "Art week in Chicago," supported by Mayor Edward J. Kelly and E.W. Robertson of the Art Department of the Chicago Board of Education. It depicts an easel supporting an image of a woman wearing a headpiece "I will" with an eagle.

  • Citation: “Art Week in Chicago: By Proclamation of … Hon. Edward J. Kelly, Mayor: Art Dept. Chicago Board of Education, E.W. Robertson,” Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project, 1936-1941, accessed through WPA Posters collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/posters/collection/wpapos/item/98508354/

In March, Read the Books You've Always Meant to Read, WPA Poster, 1936-41

  • This poster for Statewide Library Project shows a windblown woman and books by authors Scott, Dumas, Thackeray, Dickens, Austen, Tolstoy, Clemens, Eliot, and Hawthorne.

  • Citation: “In March Read the Books You’ve Always Meant to Read,” Chicago: Illinois Art Project, 1936-1941, accessed through WPA Posters collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/wpapos/item/98507722/

For Greater Knowledge, WPA Poster, 1936-41

  • This poster shows a mortarboard and a pair of glasses superimposed over a globe. It promoted the use of libraries.

  • Citation: “For Greater Knowledge on More Subjects Use Your Library More Often,” Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project, 1936-1941, accessed through WPA Posters collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/posters/collection/wpapos/item/98508155/

Free Neighborhood Classes for Adults, WPA Poster, 1937

  • This poster from The Adult Education Program of the Chicago Board of Education announces free education classes for adults. Classes in reading, writing, arithmetic, art, music, psychology, language, and social studies are advertised. It shows a man wearing a suit and reading.

  • Citation: “Free Neighborhood Classes for Adults: Enroll Now: Classes in Reading – Writing – Arithmetic – Also Art – Music – Psychology – Language – Social Studies,” Illinois: Federal Art Project, 1937, accessed through WPA Posters collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/wpapos/item/98508153/

Hull-House Community Workshop, WPA Poster, 1938

  • This poster announced arts classes at Hull House, showing a budding plant, a sculpture of a bird, and an artist's palette. It promoted free classes in painting, sculpture, pottery, weaving, and poster art for adults and children.

  • Citation: “Hull-House Community Workshop: Register Now: Free Classes in Painting, Sculpture, Pottery, Weaving, Poster Art / Beard,” Illinois: Federal Art Project, 1938, accessed through WPA Posters collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/wpapos/item/98509009/

Herrin School Photograph, 1939

  • Photograph of a school in Herrin, Illinois taken by Arthur Rothstein in January 1939. This image is part of the Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection, a government initiative to make a visual record of American life between 1935 and 1944.

  • Citation: Rothstein, Arthur. School, Herrin, Illinois. January 1939. Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/fsa/item/fsa1997010699/PP/

Colp School Photograph, 1939

  • Photograph depicting a school in Colp, Illinois for African Americans by Arthur Rothstein in January 1939. This image is part of the Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection, a government initiative to make a visual record of American life between 1935 and 1944

  • Citation: Rothstein, Arthur. Negro School, Colp, Illinois. January 1939. Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/fsa/item/fsa2000008210/PP/

What of Teaching? WPA Poster, 1940

  • This poster announces the Illinois State Teachers Colleges exhibit at the 1940 Illinois State Fair in Springfield on August 17-25. It depicts a portion of a temple superimposed on the state of Illinois.

  • Citation: “What of Teaching?: Illinois State Teachers Colleges Exhibit,” Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project, 1940, accessed through WPA Posters collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/wpapos/item/98507743/

Women and Gender

Letter from Seattle, Washington Requesting a Pension for a War Veteran's Widow, October 1st, 1933 / Transcription

  • Letter from a widow to Governor Horner of Illinois, requesting a pension for her husband, who served in four conflicts during his military career.

  • Citation: Bailey, Robert and Elaine Shemoney Evans. Hard Times In Illinois: 1930-1940. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 2002. Document 18. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Accessed 10/26/2016. https://cyberdriveillinois.com/documents/archives/teaching_packages/hard_times/doc18.html

Telegram Concerning Violence Committed Against the Progressive Miners of America February 2nd, 1934

  • Letter from the Women's Auxiliary of the Progressive Miners to Governor Horner. The letter cites an attack on the miners at a memorial service on January 31, and complains both officials and the state attorney are not taking action to help.

  • Citation: Bailey, Robert and Elaine Shemoney Evans. Hard Times In Illinois: 1930-1940. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 2002. Document 24. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Accessed 10/26/2016. https://cyberdriveillinois.com/documents/archives/teaching_packages/hard_times/doc24.html

Girls-Are You Interested in a Job? WPA Poster, 1936-37

  • See above Children and Family section

Jobs for Girls and Women, WPA Poster, 1936-41

  • Designed by Albert M. Bender, this poster for the Illinois State Employment Service promoted jobs for women as domestics offering "good pay, good meals, good surroundings, [and] good working conditions." It depicts a smiling woman washing dishes.

  • Citation: “Jobs for Girls & Women: If You Want a Good Job in Household Employment Apply at – or Write to Illinois State Employment Service,” Chicago: Illinois WPA Art Project, 1936-1941, accessed through WPA Posters collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/wpapos/item/96524664/

New Trier Evening School, WPA Poster, 1936-41

  • See above Education section

Letter Requesting Relief for the Daughters of a Civil War Veteran, October 18th, 1939

  • This letter to the Governor of Illinois requests assistance seeking a pension to provide for her sister. This petitioner and her sister were daughters of a Civil War veteran.

  • Citation: Bailey, Robert and Elaine Shemoney Evans. Hard Times In Illinois: 1930-1940. Springfield: Illinois State Archives, 2002. Document 49. Used by permission of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Accessed 10/26/2016. https://cybderdriveillinois.com/documents/archives/teaching_packages/hard_times/doc49.html