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?
Related Content
Feature:
Technique:
Technique:
Technique:
Related Links
Explore
-
Also in Season 7
Fillmore Pardon
Did President Fillmore pardon a Native American convicted of murder?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Revolutionary War Cannon
Is this the cannon that ignited the first battle of the Revolutionary War?
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
WWII Landing Craft
Did this vessel land tanks on the beaches of France during World War II?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Calf Creek Arrow
Is this arrow found in a bison skull just another hoax or an incredible archeological discovery?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Lafayette China
Did the Marquis de Lafayette give this china set to the popular wife of the Patriot Mayor?
-
Related Investigation
Internment Artwork
What is the story behind these watercolor paintings of a prison camp?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.