New Deal Projects – Living New Deal

Blake’s Brook Drainage – Ashland MA

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted drainage work along a waterway known as Blake’s Brook in Ashland, Mass. Living New Deal cannot determine the location of this waterway.

Firehouse Improvements – Ashland MA

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted improvement work at the Ashland firehouse, including exterior painting in 1935 and roof repairs in 1936.

Fountain St. Bridge (former) – Ashland MA

The federal Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) constructed a bridge for Fountain Street in Ashland, Mass.; most likely at the reservoir, in 1937. The bridge appears to be no longer extant.

Library Improvements – Ashland MA

The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) provided assistance and conducted improvement work at the public library in Ashland, Massachusetts’s in 1934. “The assistance of the E.R.A. enabled us to have a good deal of almost necessary work done which we… read more

Main and Esty St. Drains – Ashland MA

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) constructed drains on Main St. and Esty St. Ashland, Mass.

Post Office – Ashland MA

The post office in Ashland, Massachusetts was constructed with federal Treasury Department funds. The building, which was constructed in 1939 and houses an example of New Deal artwork, is still in service.

Post Office Mural – Ashland MA

The historic Ashland post office houses an example of New Deal artwork: an oil painting titled “The Railroad Comes to Town,” which hangs in the lobby. The work, which was commissioned by the Treasury Section of Fine Arts, was painted… read more

Road Work – Ashland MA

The Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.), Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.), and Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted improvement work along roads in Ashland, Massachusetts. Work included the “relocation of Manning Road,” no longer extant; and Sunset Rd. in 1936. State highways and… read more

School Building Improvements – Ashland MA

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted improvement work at the former high school and grade school building in Ashland, MA, located along Central Street. Living New Deal believes this facility to be what is now known as the Pittaway School.

Sidewalks – Ashland MA

The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) constructed sidewalks in Ashland, Massachusetts’s in 1935, including along West Union St. and the no-longer-extant Granite St.

South School Demolition – Ashland MA

Federal labor (likely from the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.)) demolished the obsolete South School in Ashland, Mass.

Stone Park – Ashland MA

Multiple New Deal agencies worked to develop Ashland, Massachusetts’s Stone Park. The Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) constructed toilet facilities and bleachers in 1934. The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) continued work in 1935. Federally funded labor also improved the park’s drainage… read more

Swimming Pool (former) – Ashland MA

The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) and Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) constructed a swimming pool for Ashland, starting in 1935. The pool was built along what was then municipal land along Granite Street, which no longer exists. A late-1800s map… read more

Town Hall Improvements – Ashland MA

The Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) and/or Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) made repairs and other improvements to Ashland, Massachusetts’s town hall in 1934. “The interior of the Town Hall has been renovated extensively, and several changes made that have been… read more

Water System Extension – Ashland MA

Ashland’s water system was greatly expanded during the 1930s as a result of federal assistance. Work included: High St.: The federal Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) extended the water main system along High Street in 1933. The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.)… read more

Projects in Ashland