New York World's Fair WPA administration building guest registers

1939-1940

The Works Progress Administration hosted a building at the New York World's Fair, 1939-1940, featuring "documentary presentations of the achievements of the Works Program as a temporary alleviation of mass unemployment." Exhibits included live demonstrations of wool spinning and weaving, wood carving, garment work, and pottery making; the WPA's Contemporary Art Building displayed nearly 1000 works of art by living American artists. The building included an open courtyard and bandshell for music and theatrical performances, as well as a small indoor theater which presented short plays created as part of the Federal Music and Federal Theatre projects Two visitors' books record the names and addresses of visitors to the WPA building, as well as their remarks on the exhibits. Also included are an undated list of books relating to unemployment, ostensibly compiled by WPA staff members, and key plans of the building