A Better Minnesota: WPA's Comprehensive Impact, 1937

This silent film from 1937 chronicles the diverse projects undertaken by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Minnesota, aiming to enhance community welfare, infrastructure, and cultural preservation.

It begins with the dramatic scenes of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and WPA units fighting a forest fire, illustrating their role in environmental protection.
The film then showcases infrastructure development with dams under construction in areas like Lakeland and St. Paul, vital for water management and flood control.
Social welfare initiatives are highlighted with WPA members supervising nursery schools, providing medical examinations for children, and offering household training classes, emphasizing education and health improvements.
Scenes from a children's vacation camp depict the WPA's commitment to recreation and youth development.
Cultural preservation is evident as Sioux and Chippewa Indians are shown engaging in traditional crafts like weaving, embroidery, and beadwork, preserving cultural heritage.
Industrial activities are captured with the quarrying of pink granite, which is then used in construction, showcasing economic development.
The film also features WPA exhibits at the 1936 State Fair and improvements to the fairgrounds, contributing to community events and local pride.
Finally, it documents the grading and surfacing of county roads, underscoring the WPA's extensive work in improving transportation infrastructure.

This film serves as a testament to the multifaceted approach of the WPA in fostering recovery and progress in Minnesota during the Great Depression.