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
-
Related Investigation
Charlie Parker's Saxophone
Could this be jazz legend Charlie "Bird" Parker's saxophone?
-
Related Investigation
Lookout Mountain Painting
What can this painting tell us about a turning point in the Civil War?
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
China Marine Jacket
Can the symbols on this jacket identify a marine who may have witnessed paradise tumbling into disaster?
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
WWII Patch
What is the story behind these patches?
-
Also in Depression and WWII: 1929-1945
Hindenburg Artifact
Was this device snatched from the burning wreckage of the ill-fated zeppelin?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Dutch Colonial Home
What role did these menacing forts play in the settling of this part of the West?
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.