Created by the order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the WPA was established with the passage of the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of This program was responsible for the creation of roads, bridges, schools, courthouses, hospitals, sidewalks, waterworks, and post- offices, but also constructed museums, swimming pools, parks, community centers, playgrounds, coliseums, markets, fairgrounds, tennis courts, zoos, botanical gardens, auditoriums, waterfronts, city halls, gyms, and university unions, employing many people in our nation’s time of need.

"The stated goal of public building programs was to end the depression or, at least, alleviate its worst effects. Millions of people needed subsistence incomes. Work relief was preferred over public assistance (the dole) because it maintained self-respect, reinforced the work ethic, and kept skills sharp."

Migrant Mother Dorothea Lange photograph 1936 (American WPA)