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 with Elyse Luray
General Lee's Farewell Address
Could this be a signed copy of one of the most famous documents in the history of the Civil War?
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
Poison Pin
Are these prototypes for poison suicide pins carried by spy plane pilots during the Cold War?
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
Wartime Baseball
Is this baseball evidence of an unusual ballgame that took place during segregation?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Connecticut Farmhouse
Why did this Connecticut farmhouse have so many owners in such a short space of time?
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
Seadrome
Did floating airports dot the Atlantic before modern air travel?
-
Also in Season 7
Lubin Photos
What do these photo albums reveal about the birth of the silver screen?
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.