University of Virginia
University of Virginia: American Slave Narratives: An Online Anthology
A collection of some of the reminiscences of more than 2,300 former slaves who were interviewed between 1936 and 1938 under the Works Progress Administration program. Includes some photographs as well as audio files. RL.11-12.10a/b Text...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: The New Deal
This collection uses primary sources to explore the New Deal.
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: America's Great Depression and Roosevelt's New Deal
Details on how the Great Depression affected the nation and how Roosevelt's New Deal created many relief and recovery programs to try to bring economic stability to the nation.
American Presidency Project
American Presidency Project: Franklin Roosevelt: Executive Order 7086
Read the text of President Roosevelt's executive order that established the National Youth Adminstration as part of the Works Progress Administration. Its purpose was to help young people find jobs.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Second New Deal
After criticism of the early New Deal programs, Franklin Roosevelt introduced programs that emphasized work rather than relief. Read about the new programs of the Second New Deal.
Curated OER
History Matters: The Great Depression in Iowa
From a book, The Great Depression, by David Shannon, you can read an interview administered by the Works Progress Administration detailing the struggle of an Iowa family through the trying times of the Great Depression.
Curated OER
History Matters: Donners Recall the Great Depression
This description of a family in Dubuque, Iowa was part of a 1935 WPA sponsored project devoted to documenting the experiences of people during the Depression. From the book, The Great Depression, by David Shannon.
Indiana University
Indiana University: More About the Wpa
This site from Indiana University describes the purpose the Works Progress Administration served during the Depression and summarizes the special programs of the W.P.A.
Library of Congress
Loc: New Deal Programs: Federal Art Project
This interesting resource showcases projects produced by a multitude of artists who participated in the Federal Art Project, part of the WPA, a New Deal agency. Find almost 1,000 posters created for many different federal and community...
Library of Congress
Loc: African American Mosaic: Wpa
A short description with primary source examples of the aid African American artists received from the WPA.
Digital History
Digital History: President Roosevelt and the Wpa [Pdf]
Franklin Roosevelt had to deal with the Great Depression quickly when he became president in 1932. Read about the early New Deal legislation, how the money was spent, and who administered the programs. Find out about the Works Progress...
Library of Congress
Loc: Found Poetry With Primary Sources: The Great Depression
Students explore poetry using American Life Histories: Manuscripts from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936-1940 collection of American Memory, which covers personal stories collected by the Works Progress Administration. In particular,...
Library of Congress
Loc: American Memory: Posters From the Wpa
Primary documents to use in your study of the Works Progress Administration. Find posters and narrative that will give you insights into the WPA era. Be sure to click on Collection Connections for more information and learning activities.
University of Washington
Survey of the History of the United States: New Deal Agencies
This list of the New Deal agencies does not give extensive information about each agency, but it's a great resource to get an overview of what was accomplished during the New Deal. This partial list gives a brief description and...
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: The Works Progress Administration (Wpa)
A great summary of the Works Progress Administration, its goals, and the support it gave ordinary workers as well as artists, writers, and musicians.
PBS
Flashpoints: The Federal Theater Project's the Cradle Will Rock
This PBS site provides background information on the events happenning around the US that might have attributed to communist scare brought on by the Federal Theater's musical "The Cradle Will Rock".
New Deal Network
New Deal Network: Works Progress Administration: The Lasting Values of the Wpa
The original text of a 1935 article defending the value and importance of the Works Progress Administration to women.
New Deal Network
New Deal: Dear Mrs. Roosevelt: The Nya
A brief description of how Eleanor Roosevelt helped to establish the National Youth Administration her reasons behind it.
New Deal Network
New Deal Network: Great Depression and the Arts
Part of a wonderful website devoted to researching and teaching the Great Depression and the New Deal. These pages are focused specifically on the arts during this time.
Other
Utah History to Go: The Great Depression
An interesting look at the effects of the Great Depression on the citizens of Utah, a state which had the fourth highest rate of unemployment. Read about the state and federal programs which gave aid during this period of time.
Other
Broward County Library: The Wpa and Its Sub Agency, the Museum Extension Project
A description of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and some of its projects.
New Deal Network
Ndn: Works Progress Administration: Hot Lunches for a Million School Children
An original speech made by Ellen S. Woodward addressing impoverished children and how the Works Progress Administration is able to help them.
Other
African American Registry: Rose Mc Clendon: A Builder of the Black Stage
A biography on the African American actress Rose McClendon (1884-1936 CE) who played a major role in the creation of a "Black Theater," in the United States.
Oklahoma Historical Society
Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture: Works Progress Administration
Read a brief description of the Works Progress Administration and its goals in general. Following that is a more in-depth look at the WPA and its impact on employment and projects in Oklahoma.