Man Controlling Trade by Michael Lantz, at the Federal Trade Commission Building (Library of Congress)
Against the backdrop of the Great Depression, the New Deal ignited an unprecedented use of government resources to address crucial public services as a way to kick-start the American economy. But President Franklin Roosevelt said that in a hundred years, his New Deal would be remembered more for its arts than its job relief.
Discover landmarks, art, and other still-visible projects from the New Deal period with author David Taylor during a walking tour in Washington, D.C. Begin at Judiciary Square to see the public sculptures and dramatic courthouse bas reliefs there, including one by John Gregory, a well-known architectural sculptor. Highlights along the route include the Henry F. Daly Building, constructed in the Classical Moderne style with the aid of Works Progress Administration (WPA) funds; the Federal Trade Commission Building, which features monumental sculptures by WPA artists in Art Deco style; and the National Mall and Washington Monument, both of which were renovated during the New Deal period. Conclude at the Department of the Interior for an optional staff-led tour of more than 40 New Deal–era murals, plus several of the 1941–1942 photomurals by Ansel Adams.
Taylor is the author of Soul of a People: The WPA Writers' Project Uncovers Depression America and co-producer of a Smithsonian documentary film of the same title.
Know Before You Go
- Tour participants meet at the Henry F. Daly Building, 300 Indiana Ave., NW, Washington, DC (Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter: Yellow/Green Metro lines; Judiciary Square: Red Metro line). It concludes at the Department of the Interior, Stewart Lee Udall Building at 1849 C St., NW.
- Sturdy walking shoes are recommended.
- The tour involves approximately 2 miles of walking and is 2 hours in length.
- Note: The mural tour at the Department of the Interior is free to the public and Smithsonian Associates tour participants are not charged for this portion of the event. This optional tour lasts an additional 60 to 75 minutes after the conclusion of the walking tour and covers approximately 1 mile of indoor walking.
Additional Date Options for this Tour
General Information
- Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 26, 2024.
- 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:
