United States. Works Progress Administration (Mont.)

In 1935, almost a fourth of the population of Montana, or about 137,000 persons, were dependent upon some form of federal, state, or county relief assistance. Up to that point, relief came in New Deal programs such as old age assistance, Aid to dependent children, or the construction programs of the WPA (Works Progress Administration) and Army Corps of Engineers. Certainly one of the largest federal projects was the construction of the Fort Peck Dam in Montana. Already by 1935 it was well under way, bringing employment to thousands.

It was also in 1935 that Congress appropriated funding for the Federal Writers Project. The Writers Project was conceived as a unique combination of relief and an opportunity for the advancement of American culture. Under the WPA, the Writers Project received less than one percent of the total WPA budget, just slightly over $2 million. However, now for the first time workers who were unable to do manual labor could receive employment. According to the initial job posting, these included: writers, editors, librarians, historians, archaeologists, research workers, art critics, architects, map draftsmen, and geologists.

The task for the employees of the Federal Writers Project was to prepare material for the American Guide books. They were to accumulate new research material on local history, historical figures, art, folklore, racial groups, scenery, agricultural developments, landmarks, monuments, etc. In sum, whatever made up the life of the community would be researched. Each state had its own team of workers.

When the American Guide for Montana was finished, other projects followed, including those as diverse as a collection of regional recipes (America Eats) to the writing of the history of livestock industry in the West.

From the guide to the WPA Records, 1935-1942, (Montana State University-Bozeman Library, Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections)