WPA Images

The Works Progress Administration was the largest of the New Deal agencies. This agency employed millions of people to carry out public works projects. Many sidewalks were installed using funding provided by the New Deal and are still in use today. These WPA markings can still be seen on many of the sidewalks in Glenville. This specific sidewalk was built on High Street. The initials "WPA" are in the center and the date "1940" is divided above and below the initials.

Louis Bennett Hall was built by the Works Progress Administration and opened in 1937. Many college and university campuses around the country received WPA funds to construct classrooms and dormitories. There have been upgrades and additions made to LBH, but this basic structure is still being used today.

The wall in this photograph extends from the Glenville State College Heflin Administration Building for 450 feet around College Street and to the entrance of the Firestone Lodge. This kind of stone work was typical of the Works Progress Administration.

This WPA Rock Quarry was set up in Gilmer County, West Virginia to help supply the needed materials for the ongoing road construction projects.

Some Works Progress Administration programs focused on the literacy and education of children. The WPA sponsored projects in Gilmer County that dealt with model aviation and book repair. The book repair project was led by Vera Garrett. By the end of 1938, project workers had repaired nearly 4,000 books for local libraries.

The WV Writers Project was established in 1935 by the WPA to provide jobs for unemployed writers, editors, and research workers. This is a sample of the research project that was completed and published by this organization. The project focused on producing a state guide, local histories, nature studies, folklore, and ethnic studies.

The Works Progress Administration produced several posters to spread its message and help people understand its programs. The WPA Hot Lunch Program poster simply shows what a good WPA lunch contains. A total of 36 Gilmer County schools participated. Another poster illustrated the need for each home to have a sanitary privy to help combat filth-borne illnesses. The WPA constructed 2,470 sanitary privies in Gilmer County by 1940.