President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal left a tangible mark on the United States, with over 500 public works projects in Washington, D.C., alone. Join author David Taylor for a walking tour in Washington that focuses on landmarks, art, and other still-visible signs from the New Deal period not seen on the previous tour.
Begin at the John Adams Building of the Library of Congress to discuss the public sculptures and dramatic doors by Lee Lawrie, a renowned architectural sculptor. Highlights along the route include murals by 20th-century masters at the old Social Security Administration building (now the Wilbur J. Cohen building); the Bureau of Engraving & Printing annex, described in 1938 as the world’s largest reinforced concrete factory-scale structure; and a discussion of New Deal renovations on the National Mall. Conclude at the Jefferson Memorial, designed by John Russell Pope and dedicated by Roosevelt himself amid a public debate about the role of public works.
Taylor is the author of Soul of a People: The WPA Writers' Project Uncovers Depression America and the co-producer of a Smithsonian documentary film of that title as well as a new podcast, The People’s Recorder.
Know Before You Go
- Tour participants meet at the main entrance of the John Adams Building of the Library of Congress at 120 2nd St. SE, Washington, DC (west entrance, near Capitol South, Blue/Orange/Silver Metro lines).
- The tour concludes at the Jefferson Memorial on the Tidal Basin.
- Sturdy walking shoes are recommended.
- The tour involves 2 to 2.5 miles of walking and is 2 hours in length.
- This tour uses Whisper audio devices.
Additional Date Options for this Tour
General Information
- Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
- Smithsonian Associates is a mask-friendly environment. Please feel free to bring and wear a mask at any time during a tour, both for your safety or the safety of others.
- As we aim to move away from single use water bottles, guests are strongly encouraged to get in the habit of bringing their own reusable water bottle on tour.
- For additional tour information:
