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WPA Greeting Card, 1940.
The economy has been rough in recent years. A new catch phrase has solidified itself in the English language: “due to the economic situation.” There have been countless stories and opinions on the current recession and many comparisons to the Great Depression of the 1930’s.
One of the best known agencies from the Great Depression was the WPA, or Works Progress Administration (“Work Projects Administration” after 1939). The WPA put tens of thousands of people to work on a wide range of public projects. The reach of the WPA projects is legendary–from bridges to stream improvements to roads to arts, crafts and writing projects. The WPA even thought about holiday planning.
In 1940, Walter C. Averill, Jr. penned the forward to a new type of WPA publication. It focused on the need for recreation in America:
“Just as a three-legged stool is supported by the cooperation of all of its legs, so the human being also is supported by three phases of his life: the physical, the mental, and the spiritual sides…Recreation of a constructive type will develop all of these phases of lige to their best advantage. Let us then endeavor to make Mens sana in corpore sano not only a Latin phrase but an American fact, for the good of health, government, citizenship, and the people”
The book titled “Special Occasions” includes thrifty “how to” projects of household goods from the 4th of July, Halloween, Christmas, New Years and more. The year 1940 was, no doubt, a stressful year for many Americans. Mr. Averill and staff hoped their 100+ page booklet would help those struggling find a little joy in special occasions. We hope you enjoy this snapshot of holiday history and encourage you to grab an apple and deck out your own “Santa Apple.”
WPA Santa Apple Craft, 1940.
Happy Holidays from the staff at Seeking Michigan.
About the Author
Thanks for the reminder of the thriftiness of my grandparents and great grandparents as well as their ability to face challenges and overcome obstacles. They are my heroes.
My husband worked for the WPA and I would like to know where I could find his records. He lived in Kalkaska County.
We were married in 1940.
Phyllis,
The WPA was a federal agency, and thus, I suggest contacting the National Archives. Here is the contact information:
The National Archives and Records Administration
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Telephone: 1-866-272-6272
The National Archives Web site url is: http://archives.gov/
Research requests can be submitted online at: https://eservices.archives.gov/orderonline/start.swe?SWECM=S&SWECmd=Login&SWEHo=eservices.archives.gov&SWEFullRefresh=1&SWEFullRefresh=1
My parents were married April, 1930, and for ten years Mother kept a journal of all their finances. The journals account for every penny earned and every penny spent. Would you be interested in including them in “Seeking Michigan?” I have scanned them and could add comments to support or clarify some of the entries.
Mr. Elden,
The Archives of Michigan is accepting donations of original material. If you would like to donate original items, then please contact Mark Harvey, State Archivist (E-mail: harveym@michigan.gov)
I was surprised to come across your reply to my offer of Mom’s journals, I assumed you never answered. There are four ledgers, but they are not in my possession, Mom gave them to different members of our family. If you are still interested I could ask them if they are willing to donate the originals.
Mr. Elden,
We are interested in prospective donations.
All donations will be subject to review. If you like, you can drop the materials off at the Archives of Michigan and sign some paperwork. Then, we’ll review the items and let you know our decision. If we do not accept them, then we can return them to you or dispose of them, depending on your preference. If you have any questions, you can contact Mark Harvey, State Archivist, by calling 517-373-1415 or sending an e-mail to harveym@michigan.gov.