WPA-Built Structures in Oklahoma - Edmon Low Library

About the Collection

The W. David Baird Collection brings together a set of slides that visually document the Works Progress Administration's influence on Oklahoma's built environment. Created by historian Dr. W. David Baird, the images capture schools, parks, bridges, public buildings, and other community projects constructed through one of the most significant New Deal programs of the 1930s. These photographs showcase the distinct architectural style of WPA structures while also reflecting the program's essential role in providing work, stability, and public resources during the Great Depression.

The collection builds on Baird's long-standing scholarship, including his 1987 thematic survey of WPA structures for the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office. The slide set was digitized with support from a 2019-2020 Improving Access to Collections Grant, sponsored by the Oklahoma Historical Records Advisory Board, administered by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, and funded by the National Archives.

Access the Physical Collection

Materials from this collection are available in Special Collections and University Archives. For assistance or to request archival materials, contact (405) 744-6311 or libscua@okstate.edu.