We Need More Of These

I've only seen a few state historical markers like the ones above. It would be good if there were more, so Americans could know about all the New Deal era projects that surround them, and all the New Deal era projects that they utilize and enjoy. If you know of a project/site that should receive some recognition, contact your state historical office and see what the application process is for a marker (it might be easier than you think). Photos by Brent McKee.

The WPA, the CCC, and mosquitoes

(Image provided courtesy of WPClipart)

A recent Reuters article reports that 2012 is turning out to be a very bad year for the West Nile virus (click here). As part of their efforts to combat the spread of disease, the Centers for Disease Control helps the states "develop and carry out improved mosquito prevention and control programs," and suggests various mosquito population control measures (see, e.g., http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/wnv_factSheet.htm).

During the Great Depression, both the WPA and CCC worked on mosquito control projects. Today, we have a mosquito problem and about 5 million long-term unemployed Americans.

Is it just me, or does anyone else think we used to be a lot better at connecting the dots?

A CCC Statue

A statue to honor the work of the CCC boys, in Gambrill State Park, Frederick County, Maryland. Photo by Brent McKee.

New Deal Archaeology

Here's an interesting website, designed "to promote the study of archaeology conducted under the auspices of federal work relief funding during the Great Depression, and to promote research using field records and archaeological collections generated as part of these New Deal-funded archaeological investigations."

http://newdealarchaeology.com/

Roosevelt & Reagan liked the WPA, so why don't we?

(FDR image courtesy of the FDR Presidential Library and Museum. Reagan image courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library)

In his autobiography--"Ronald Reagan: An American Life"--Reagan wrote: "The WPA was one of the most productive elements of FDR's alphabet soup of agencies because it put people to work building roads, bridges, and other projects...it gave men and women a chance to make some money along with the satisfaction of knowing they earned it."

In the "Final Report on the WPA Program, 1935-43," FDR wrote: "(The WPA) has added to the national wealth, has repaired the wastage of depression and has strengthened country to bear the burden of war."

Question: If one of the main Democrat/Progressive heroes (FDR) liked the WPA, and one of the main Republican/Conservative heroes (Reagan) liked the WPA, then why don't we have a new WPA to address our persistently high unemployment rates? (There is/was a "21st Century WPA Act," but it appears to have either died in committee, or has been collecting dust for the past year. See: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:S.1517.IS:)

The WPA's Jurassic Park

Did you know that the WPA helped create Dinosaur Park in South Dakota?

(Image is in the public domain, courtesy of Minnesota Jones and wikipedia)

The WPA Orchestra Lives On!...well, sort of

The website of the Utah Symphony states: "Previous to its official founding, the Utah Symphony's first incarnation was as a Works Progress Administration Orchestra from 1935 to 1940." (http://www.utahsymphony.org/the-orchestra, accessed 10-3-2012).

Behind a lot of the WPA's recreation, theater, music, and art projects, was a hope that local communities would continue--in some way--the cultural activities that the WPA had initiated. So, it's nice to see the spirit of the WPA lives on in the Utah Symphony.