Digital Exhibits

Pulitzer Prize winning author Louis Bromfield whole-heartedly endorses the American Guide Series in this 1941 advertisement.

Before writing her acclaimed novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston worked for the Federal Writers' Project in Florida. Here, Hurston holds American Stuff, a compilation of  works by various authors employed by the Federal Writers' Project.

Nevada's guide book sits on display at the Nevada State Fair circa 1938.

Paul Comly French, shown here at his desk, served as the director of the Federal Writers' Project in Pennsylvania.

Experienced in publishing, Henry Alsberg served as the director of the Federal Writers' Project from 1935 to 1939.

The Federal Writers' Project had units stationed all around the country but was headquartered in Washington, D.C. Here, Director Henry Alsberg sits with writer Dorothea Hettwer at project headquarters.

This poster for the American Guide Series encourages Americans to "Take Pride in Your Country."

This poster promotes the state guide for Illinois. Although the federal government funded the payroll for the writers, each state was responsible for publishing its guide book.

This poster advertises "A Guide to the Golden State."

The state guides were supplemented by additional publications focused on specific topics and themes. This poster advertises the guide to winter sports in the Northeast.

As the director of the Works Progress Administration, Harry Hopkins helped create jobs for millions of unemployed Americans, including those employed through the Federal Writers' Project.

As Secretary of Commerce, Harry Hopkins continued to advocate for the creation of jobs.

The workers of the Federal Writers' Project extended their research to cover natural history in the guide this poster advertises.

This poster promotes a guide presenting the natural history of "Birds of the World."

Mississippi novelist Richard Wright found employment through the Federal Writers' Project during the Great Depression.
He later become known for his renowned 1940 novel Native Son.

A prominent poet of the Harlem Renaissance era, Claude McKay was a writer for the Federal Writers' Project. His poem, "A Song of the Moon," is featured in American Stuff: An Anthology of Prose & Verse by Members of the Federal Writers' Project.

When President Roosevelt appointed Harry Hopkins Secretary of Commerce in 1938, Colonel F.C. Harrington became the new director of the WPA.

In addition to designing promotional posters, the Federal Arts Project in Illinois instructed art classes for children in the community.

Adorning public buildings, WPA murals showcased the pride and identity of the community. This painting brightens the walls of the Cohen Building in Washington, D.C.