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The Case:
History Detectives searches for connections between a collection of unusual paintings and the largest job creation program in America's history.
FDR’s New Deal work programs will put more than 8 million back to work. And not everyone is laying roads and mixing cement – the program also employs over 40,000 in various arts projects. This unprecedented harnessing of artistic talent will create thousands of paintings, sculptures and murals for public buildings across the country. But today, nearly a third of this artwork is missing. What happened to these important pieces of our nation’s history?
Evelyn Cook of Molalla, Oregon, has inherited some paintings that may be part of this lost work. Created by her aunt, Thelma Johnson Streat, she believes they were mural studies commissioned by the WPA in the 1930’s or 1940’s. The color illustrations depict contributions of African Americans in the fields of medicine, transportation and industry.
Did any of these studies become murals and do any of Streat's murals still exist?
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- Latest CommentI personally know Tap and his beautiful wife Bernice who are living in Oxnard Calif and have seen many of his pictures as well and some of his father Yakima. I understand Tap was the original owner of the saddle. (1 day ago)
- TwitterThe awesome professor we worked with today. @ Tisch School of the Arts - Tom Drysdale. Can't wait for this story! http://t.co/o7MjiSiM (2 months ago)
- FacebookFinal results are in from the patch contest. Four of you correctly identified the patch. I can't publicly reveal who the winners are without spoiling the investigation for everyone else! Hey winners! You'll be contacted shortly and will receive a t-shirt! Thanks to EVERYONE for their ambitious research! -- Wes (1 day ago)