Cerca nel Forum
Risultati per Tag 'american guide series'.
Trovato 1 risultato
-
During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the U.S. government tried to spur economic activity by injecting money into public projects through the WPA (Work Projects Administration). Much of it was of the customary type—roads, bridges, sidewalks, etc. Less obvious was the WPA Writer’s Project, which produced a wonderful group of books called the American Guide Series. Together they form a deeply detailed portrait of the United States of America about 1940 or so. Some of the detail the books contain is uncomfortable, like this note for the city of Baton Rouge, capital of Louisiana: “[/i]Theater and Motion Picture Houses:[/i] …9 motion pictures houses (2 for negroes).” But there is so much that has been preserved…“Swimming: Victory Park, Laurel and St. Anthony Sts., free; City Park, 15¢ before 6 p. m., 25¢ after.” And so on, for 746 narrowly-spaced pages in just this one member of the series, LOUISIANA: A Guide to the State. So, a 1941s 25-cent piece (2-bits!)—price of an early evening swim at the Baton Rouge City Park, that last Louisiana summer before the war.
