The Works Progress Administration (WPA) conducted improvement work at the historic armory in New Bedford, Mass. WPA project details: “Construct garage, storage rooms, kitchen and other rooms, machinery and carpentry work, plumbing, electric” Sponsor: Massachusetts National Guard
Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) workers constructed storage building at New Bedford’s City Yard in 1936. WPA Bulletin: The New Bedford WPA City Yard Storage Building Project is designed to store machinery and other city equipment which has been deteriorating from… read more
The W.P.A. conducted numerous improvements at the former Fort Rodman in New Bedford, Mass. Project details: “Recondition buildings, grounds, and facilities” Official Project Number: 165‐14‐2‐11 Total project cost: $80,540.00 Sponsor: Commanding Officer, Fort Adams, U.S. Army “Improve grounds and recreational… read more
This small lighthouse bears a plaque showing it was built by the WPA in 1935-36. It no longer functions as a light house. Another more recent inscription shows it was “Relocated and Reconstructed” to its current location in Peter Francisco… read more
The Works Progress Administration had an active presence in New Bedford, providing funds for massive construction and city improvement efforts. Suggestions for an airfield near New Bedford first appear in documents from 1936, proposing a route “via Fall River and… read more
Now part of Fisherman’s Wharf, New Bedford’s former Pier 4 was renovated and enlarged by Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) laborers. WPA Bulletin: “Pier 4.” New Bedford, where fish valued at $2,000,000 is landed annually is being repaired and enlarged by… read more
WPA Bulletin: “New Bedford — Ten miles of cement sidewalks have been built by WPA to replace old concrete and flagstone walks. Some of the replaced flagstones were as old as New Bedford.”
Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) labor constructed the former vocational school in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The location and status of the facility is unknown to Living New Deal.
Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) labor constructed a gym for the former vocational school in New Bedford, Massachusetts. WPA Bulletin: Building materials salvaged from WPA Demolition Projects are used in the New Bedford WPA construction of the Vocational School Gymnasium. Many… read more
A water main construction project in New Bedford, Mass. was undertaken with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. PWA Docket No. MA 2038
Between World War I and World War II, the economy of New Bedford changed dramatically. The city’s whaling industry disappeared and textile manufacturing plummeted. In 1937, the city’s unemployment rate was a staggering 32.5 percent. New Bedford was down and… read more