WPA Posters

See America

From 1939 and Alexander Dux, a Works Progress Administration/Federal Art Project poster promoting tourism.

Yellowstone: 1938

Old Faithful erupts in this circa 1938 National Park Service silkscreen for Yellowstone National Park.

Grand Canyon

You thought the Grand Canyon was created by the forces of nature and the hand of God. Actually, it's a "free government service." Thank you, Uncle Sam. You do fine work. Circa 1938 National Park Service silkscreen poster for Grand Canyon National Park.

See America WPA Poster

A WPA Federal Art Project poster for the United States Travel Bureau promoting tourism. The poster shows two cowboys on horseback near a western desert rock formation. Illustrated by Frank S. Nicholson, c. 1936.

Zion National Park

A WPA Federal Art Project poster for the United States Department of the Interior National Park Service: "Zion National Park, Ranger Naturalist Service." The poster shows Poster shows a view of a cliff at Zion Naitonal Park. Circa 1938.

Welcome to Montana Travel Poster

A WPA Federal Art Project poster for the U.S. Travel Bureau promoting tourism in Montana. The poster shows a cluster of tipis with mountains in the background: "See America. Welcome to Montana. U.S. Travel Bureau." Illustrated by Richard Halls. c. 1938.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

A Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project poster for the National Park Service promoting Lassen Volcanic National Park, c. 1938. "Loomis Memorial at Manzanita Lake. Lectures, hikes, motor caravans, campfire programs, information. Season late June to mid September."

Fort Marion National Monument

Fort Marion National Monument. St. Augustine, Florida. A Works Progress Administration poster promoting tourism for the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, c. 1938.

Wild Life: The National Parks Preserve All Life

This is a WPA Federal Art Project poster for the National Park Service showing a deer drinking from a forest stream. "Wild Life. The National Parks Preserve All Life." Illustrated by Frank S. Nicholson, c. 1940.

National Parks Preserve Wild Life

A WPA Federal Art Project poster for the National Park Service promoting travel to National Parks. The poster shows two bighorn sheep and reads, "The National Parks Preserve Wild Life." Illustrated by J. Hirt, c. 1939.

They Like Winter in New York State

This Federal Art Project poster puts a positive spin on biting cold while promoting winter sports in New York: "They like winter in New York State. The state that has everything." Does "everything" include frostbite? The poster was created by Jack Rivolta between 1936 and 1941.

Winter Sports in Arosa

A 1938 promotional poster showing the many types of winter sports available in Arosa, Switzerland: Ice hockey, ice skating, skiing, and curling.

Visit the Zoo: Penguins

A Work Projects Administration poster using penguins to lure visitors to the zoo. From the WPA Federal Art Project in Pennsylvania. Woodcut by artist Louise Welsh, c. 1936.

Just one long step to Sea Cliff

A Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project poster promoting tourism in Sea Cliff, Long Island, c. 1938. "Just one long step to Sea Cliff, L.I. By land or water. 250 feet above sea level. No mosquitos! Sponsored by the Village of Sea Cliff."

Vizit the Brookfield Zoo Panda

This poster by WPA artist Arlington Gregg shows a panda bear emploring people to "Visit the Brookfield Zoo by the 'L'." The poster was created as part of the Federal Art Project in Illinois, c. 1938.

Discover Puerto Rico U.S.A.

This poster by WPA artist Frank S. Nicholson shows a view of San Juan Harbor from Morro Castle: "Discover Puerto Rico U.S.A. Where the Americas Meet" The poster was created as part of the Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project in New York City, c. 1940.

By the "L" Brookfield Zoo

This poster by WPA artist Frank W. Long shows a panda bear hugging a tree as an advertisement for the Brookfield Zoo. The poster was created between 1936 and 1938 as part of the Federal Art Project in Illinois.

Visit the Zoo

Two herons promote the zoo as a place to visit in this woodblock Federal Art Project poster from Pennsylvania. Created between 1936 and 1941.

Visit the Brookfield Zoo

A 1936 Work Projects Administration poster uses a polar bear to announce free days at the Brookfield Zoo near Chicago: "Visit the Brookfield Zoo. Free Thursday, Saturday, Sunday."

Visit the Zoo: Elephant

This WPA Federal Art Project poster featuring an elephant to promote the zoo was designed by Hugh Stevenson of Philadelphia in 1937.

Santa Margherita Ligure

This Italian travel poster shows a woman throwing daisies in the air, with the coastline of Liguria, Italy in the background: "Santa Margherita Ligure." Published by the National Agency for the Tourism Industry, Ente Nazionale per le Industrie Turistiche. From lithograph, 1951.

Free harbor jubilee, Los Angeles and San Pedro. April 26 and 27 1899

City of New York Municipal Airports

This poster was created by the WPA Federal Art Project in New York City to promote New York's municipal airports, circa 1937. "City of New York Municipal Airports. No. 1 Floyd Bennett Field. No. 2 North Beach. East River Seaplane bases, Wall Street and 31st Street. F.H. LaGuardia, Mayor. John McKenzie, Commissioner of Docks."

See America: Montana

From 1939 and Jerome Henry Rothstein, a Works Progress Administration/Federal Art Project poster promoting tourism in Montana. "See American. Welcome to Montana." Published for the United States Travel Bureau, showing an Indian encampment next to a lake.