Works Progress Administration

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) – after 1939, the Works Projects Administration – was a work-relief program created in 1935 by President Franklin Roosevelt’s Administration. It had employed over 8.5 million people by its demise in 1943. One of its programs was the Federal Writers Project (FWP), which included a folklore section. This section conducted fieldwork, recording songs, traditions, and stories across the nation. Originally created to gather material for the American Guide Series, later emphasis was placed upon fieldwork for the preservation of folk traditions for future generations.