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Explore stories in Northwest history through highlights from MOHAI’s collections. Search by keyword below or browse the entire online collection by entering the asterisk symbol (*). Filter your search by type of materials.

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18 results for: Works Progress Administration (WPA)

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Image of WPA District 4 Exposition program, Seattle, May 15, 1936
Program

WPA District 4 Exposition program, Seattle, May 15, 1936

The Federal government created the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1935, during the Great Depression, to provide jobs to unemployed men, women, and children. The country was divided into regions and districts, and in Washington State, District 4 comprised King, Jefferson, Kitsap, and Clallam counties. In 1936, some 12,337 people, about 75% of whom were men, worked in WPA projects…
ID Number:2018.3.3.127
Date:1936
Image of Demonstrators with signs outside Seattle Chamber of Commerce during WPA strike, Seattle, 1937
Photograph

Demonstrators with signs outside Seattle Chamber of Commerce during WPA strike, Seattle, 1937

In 1936, the federal Works Progress Administration hired some 9,000 unemployed King County residents on 271 different projects ranging from improving roads and parks to serving school lunches. Congress reduced funding for the WPA in 1937, causing nationwide layoffs. In Seattle, some workers stormed the WPA offices to protest the layoffs. Others staged sitdown strikes or picketed on downtown sidewalks.This…
ID Number:PI22387
Date:1937
Image of Woman serving soup to WPA strikers, Seattle, 1937
Photograph

Woman serving soup to WPA strikers, Seattle, 1937

In 1936, the federal Works Progress Administration hired some 9,000 unemployed King County residents on 271 different projects ranging from improving roads and parks to serving school lunches. Congress reduced funding for the WPA in 1937, causing nationwide layoffs. In Seattle, some workers stormed the WPA offices to protest the layoffs. Others staged sitdown strikes or picketed on downtown sidewalks.…
ID Number:PI22389
Date:1937
Image of Trout rearing ponds at Seward Park, Seattle, 1948
Photograph

Trout rearing ponds at Seward Park, Seattle, 1948

In 1935, during the Great Depression, a Washington Emergency Relief Act work crew built fish rearing ponds at Seattle's Seward Park. The Washington State Department of Game supervised the fish hatchery and, in May 1948, delivered 250,000 young rainbow trout to the Cedar River and other area streams. Handwritten on image: Seward Park Rearing ponds.Handwritten on sleeve: Fish - Trout…
ID Number:PI23041
Date:1948
Image of Man dumping fish into stream, May 1948
Photograph

Man dumping fish into stream, May 1948

In 1935, during the Great Depression, a Washington Emergency Relief Act work crew built fish rearing ponds at Seattle's Seward Park. The Washington State Department of Game supervised the fish hatchery and, in May 1948, delivered 250,000 young rainbow trout to the Cedar River and other area streams.In this photo, taken around May 21, 1948, Washington State Department of Game…
ID Number:PI23045
Date:1948
Image of Men sandbagging during Green River flood, Kent, April 1938
Photograph

Men sandbagging during Green River flood, Kent, April 1938

In mid-April 1938, heavy rains caused flooding throughout western Washington state. Near Kent and Auburn, and throughout the Green River Valley, road crews worked hard to pile sandbags in the worst trouble spots. These road crews included workers from the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a federal relief agency set up to hire the unemployed during the Great Depression.In this photo,…
ID Number:PI23107
Date:1938
Image of Girls with swans at Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, 1937
Photograph

Girls with swans at Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, 1937

In 1899, Seattle bought Woodland Park and its small zoo from the Phinney family. Most of the animals were kept in cages with bars and concrete floors. Visitors could go right up to the cages and feed the animals. During the economic depression of the 1930s, workers with the federal government's Works Projects Administration (WPA) built several animal habitats at…
ID Number:PI24721
Date:1937
Image of Monkey Island at Woodland Park Zoo, May 13, 1946
Photograph

Monkey Island at Woodland Park Zoo, May 13, 1946

During the economic depression of the 1930s, workers with the federal government's Works Projects Administration (WPA) built Monkey Island and several other animal habitats at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo. This photo, taken on a sunny day in May 1946, shows people watching the antics of the monkey colony on Monkey Island at Woodland Park. Written on original envelope: Seattle-parks-Woodland ZooDate…
ID Number:PI24732
Date:1946
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