After the stock market crash of 1929, America spent the next decade enduring and surviving the Great Depression. Unemployment peaked in 1932 at 25%, more than 5,000 banks failed, and Americans lined up at soup kitchens. The turmoil and hardships of the 1930s have become a critical component of our nation’s narrative of resilience and reinvention. From the wreckage of the Great Depression emerged an American landscape made richer by programs like the Works Progress Association, designed to employ millions of Americans through public works projects, including artistic endeavors.

Our friends at the High Desert Museum opened a new exhibit, “Art for a Nation: Inspiration from the Great Depression” in April. During the month of May DPL will highlight the history, art and people of the Great Depression in support of the museum’s new exhibit. Explore prohibition, Woody Guthrie, Depression-era Bend, and WPA art and literature projects as part of the “Know 1930s” series at Deschutes Public Library.

All programs are free and open to the public. Registration for some programs is required.

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Woody Guthrie Tribute by Americana Students
High School students from the Sisters Americana Project, the educational outreach program of Sisters Folk Festival, pay tribute to Guthrie’s enduring legacy as part of the Library’s series in support of the High Desert Museum’s WPA exhibit.


Will Write for Food
Created in 1935 as part of the United States Work Progress Administration, the Federal Writers’ Project was created to provide employment for historians, teachers, writers, librarians and other white-collar workers. Community librarian Nate Pedersen shares the impact and the importance of the Federal Writers’ Project.


The Old Town Is Changed Today – A Journey into a Bend You Never Knew
Take a journey into Depression-era Central Oregon with Oregon actor, lecturer, and folklorist Alastair Morley Jaques.


“Still” Life!
Looking to take the edge off? Meet up with local teaching artist Rodney Thompson to refine your drawing skills in this prohibition-themed art workshop. Materials supplied. Space is limited and registration is required (register at the link below). 21 + over.


Prohibition and Distilling
Get the history of prohibition and distilling with Murray Godfrey of COCC and Brad Irwin of Oregon Spirit. 21+ only. Space is limited and registration is required (register at the link below).


Art of the WPA
Join Faith Brower, Curator of Exhibitions and Collections at the High Desert Museum, for a presentation about the art of the Works Progress Administration including the art at the Timberline Lodge, as well as other unique art programs and popular styles of the era.


The Great Depression in Bend
Everything you want to know about the Great Depression seen through the eyes of Bend's millworkers and business owners presented by local author and historian Tor Hanson.


Timberline Lodge – A New Deal Masterpiece
Sarah Baker Munro, historian of Timberline Lodge and director of the Hoover-Minthorn House Museum, discusses the architecture, construction, furnishing and dedication of Timberline Lodge.


For more information about this or other library programs, please visit the library website at www.deschuteslibrary.org. People with disabilities needing accommodations (alternative formats, seating or auxiliary aides) should contact Liz at 312-1032, lizg@deschuteslibrary.org.