Works Progress Administration facts for kids

The Works Progress Administration (or WPA) was an agency in the United States during the New Deal. It was formed in 1935, during the "Second New Deal". It employed more workers than any government agency had before. It built thousands of roads, schools, and government buildings. Part of it was the Federal Art Project, which created, such as murals by Diego Rivera and the play The Cradle Will Rock. The agency was led by Harry Hopkins. It lasted until World War II. This program gave millions of people jobs during the great depression.

Images for kids

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  WPA road development project

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  FDR and Hopkins (September 1938)

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  Noon-hour WPA band concert in Lafayette Square, New Orleans (1940)

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  Women in Costilla, New Mexico, weaving rag rugs in 1939

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  Francis C. Harrington, WPA national administrator 1938–40

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  1940 WPA poster using Little Miss Muffet to promote reading among children.

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  Poster for the WPA shows various items that can be purchased at the 5 & 10¢ store

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  WPA poster advertising art classes for children

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  WPA poster promoting the zoo as a place to visit, showing an elephant

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  1936 WPA Poster for Federal Theatre Project presentation

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  WPA poster encouraging laborers to work for America

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  Alabama National Guard Armory, Guntersville, Alabama (1936)

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  Prairie County Courthouse, DeValls Bluff, Arkansas (1939)

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  Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, California (1933)

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  Santa Ana City Hall, Santa Ana, California (1935)

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  Leon High School, Tallahassee, Florida (1936–37)

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  Government House, St. Augustine, Florida (1937)

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  Fort Hawkins, Macon, Georgia (1936–1938)

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  Boise High School Gymnasium, Boise, Idaho (1936)

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  Midway International Airport, Chicago, Illinois (1935–1939)

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  Gregg Park Bandshell, Vincennes, Indiana (1939)

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  Canoe house, University of Iowa (1937)

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  Jenkins Culvert, Gove County, Kansas (1938)

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  Louisville Fire Department Headquarters, Louisville, Kentucky (1936)

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  Alvar Street Branch, New Orleans Public Library (1940)

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  WPA Field House and Pump Station, Scituate, Massachusetts (1938)

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  Detroit Naval Armory, Detroit, Michigan (1936–1939)

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  Brandon Auditorium and Fire Hall, Brandon, Minnesota (1936)

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  Milaca Municipal Hall, Milaca, Minnesota (1936)

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  Upland Auditorium, Upland, Nebraska (1936)

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  Jackie Robinson Play Center, Harlem, New York (1936)

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  LaGuardia Airport, Queens, New York (1937–1939)

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  U.S. Post Office, Rhinebeck, New York (1940)

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  Robeson County Agricultural Building, Lumberton, North Carolina (1937)

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  Emmons County Courthouse, Linton, North Dakota (1934)

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  Rubber Bowl Stadium, Akron, Ohio (1940)

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  Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon (1936–1938)

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  Oregon State Library, Salem, Oregon (1939)

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  Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1938–39)

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  McCoy Stadium, Pawtucket, Rhode Island (1942)

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  Dock Street Theatre, Charleston, South Carolina (1937)

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  Liberty Colored High School, Liberty, South Carolina (1937)

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  Dinosaur Park, Rapid City, South Dakota (1936)

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  Bristol Municipal Stadium, Bristol, Tennessee (1934)

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  Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas (1940)

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  Schoolhouse, Lometa, Texas (1938–1940)

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  River Walk, San Antonio, Texas (1939)

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  City Library, Monroe, Utah (1934)

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  Bremerton Public Library, Bremerton, Washington (1938)

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  White Center Fieldhouse, White Center, Washington (1938–1940)

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  Raleigh County Courthouse, Beckley, West Virginia (1936–37)

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  Carson Park Baseball Stadium, Eau Claire, Wisconsin (1937)

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  Mondeaux Lodge House, Westboro, Wisconsin (1936–1938)

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  Natrona County High School, Casper, Wyoming (1941)

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  Baytown Post Office, Baytown, Texas (1936-37)