Rebuilding for the Future (Brochure & Postcard)

7/29/2019 Rebuilding for the Future (Brochure & Postcard)

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The New Deal was created in

response to the Great Depression.

It was President Franklin

Roosevelts program to put people

back to work and reform the

economy. The Historical Society

of Long Beach (HSLB) has

created an exhibit to illustrate this

programs impact on our city. The

most spectacular photos in the exhibit were

created by the Federal Arts Program of the

Works Progress Administration (WPA/FAP).

WPA/FAP was a part of the New Deal

that created jobs for artists. Many of these

works still exist and continue enhancing our

community. Others have been demolished and

replaced. Local citizens have long struggled

to preserve these

works, and bring

them greater

public attention

and appreciation.

New Deal projects to put people back to

work played a unique role in Long Beach.

Roosevelt began those projects when he was

sworn in as president in March, 1933. In

that same month, Long Beach was struck

by a large earthquake. City ofcials cobbled

together local funds with those from the

federal and state governments to rebuild the

city. They also used New Deal job-creation

projects to enhance the local infrastructure.

A search of materials in HSLBs archives

revealed long lists of projects, including

paving streets and laying sewers.

In Long Beach, many schools were

damaged in the 1933 earthquake, and

had to be rebuilt to higher seismic safety

standards. Funds from New Deal programs

enhanced local bond measures adopted

by voters for this purpose. Along with

stronger buildings, local students received

handsome schools, often decorated with

murals, mosaics and sculptures by artists

employed by the WPA/FAP.

WPA/FAP artists also created, a h

to enhance the front of Long Bea

Municipal Auditorium. It was th

project created by WPA artists in

country. Another WPA/FAP artis

Clements, designed mosaics and

decorated the oors and walls thr

citys new airport terminal. It wa

as the country was preparing for

II. These works are highlighted in

WPA Worker,

Amer ican A ve.

Bas rel ief , Was hingto n M idd le Scho ol

Deep Sea Magic (section), Rogers M

Two Yuccas, Long Beach Museum of


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R e b u i l d i n g A NEW DEALf

for theF u t u R e LONG B

exhibit opening: June 17, 2011opening reception 6:30-9pm | program at 7pm

exhibit date: June 17 - Dec. 31, 2011

gallery hours:Tues, Wed, Fri 1-5pmThurs 1-7pm | Sat 11-5pm

support from:

J. Christopher Launi,photographer

Long Beach Navy MemorialHeritage Association

Downtown Long Beach Associates

Long Beach AreaConvention & Visitors Bureau

Historical Society o Long Beach

4260 Atlant ic Ave, Long Beach CA 90807

562.424.2220 | www.hslb.org/calendar_of_e


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REBUILDINGfor the

F

UT

UR

E

A NEW DEAL

for LONG BEACH

1933 to 1942

Rebuilding for the Future (Brochure & Postcard)

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