Cleveland Guide photographs

              State Archives Series 1038 AV
Ohio Federal Writer’s Project
Cleveland Guide Photographs
Page 1
OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
State Archives Record Series
SA Series 1038 AV
OHIO FEDERAL WRITER’S PROJECT
Cleveland Guide Photographs
OVERVIEW OF THE SERIES
Series Number: Series 1038 AV
Department/Division: Ohio Federal Writer’s Project
Series Title: Cleveland Guide Photographs
Dates of Series: 1935 - 1943
Media: Photographs, Nitrate negatives
Quantity: 0.34 cubic feet
Location: Ohio Historical Center
AGENCY BACKGROUND
On May 6, 1935, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) was established by
Executive Order 7034. The objective of the WPA was to create public works jobs for the
increasing number of unemployed Americans. The public works programs provided
employment not only for out-of-work laborers, but also for thousands of artists,
musicians, actors and writers.
Incorporated into the WPA in the summer of 1935 was Federal Project Number One,
which created the Federal Arts Program (FAP). The FAP included the Federal Art
Project, Federal Music Project, Federal Theater Project, the Federal Writer’s Project and
later the Historical Records Survey. All projects were administered by the Professional
and Service Division of the WPA. Editorial control of the Federal Writer’s Project was
held by the National Director, Henry G. Alsberg. Each state was divided into writer’s
project districts that reported to a state director. This director, independent from the
state WPA administrator, reported directly to Washington, D. C.
One of the primary goals of the FWP was the completion of the American Guide Series,
a compilation of guide books to each state. These guides were to include the history of
the state, sections on art, architecture, music, literature, history and points of interest to
the major cities and a section of tours throughout the state.
A state director for Ohio was appointed in November of 1935 and the state was divided
into 16 districts. Smaller offices were located in almost every county. Work on the Ohio