Federal Writers' Project

The Federal Writers' Project (FWP) was a New Deal program active during the 1930s and early 1940s, created to provide employment for American writers during the Great Depression. It funded writers, researchers, and journalists to produce a variety of cultural and historical works, including guidebooks, oral histories, and regional narratives. The project aimed to document American life, history, and traditions while supporting creative professionals facing economic hardship. Its most famous product is the series of detailed state travel guides, which remain valuable resources for cultural and historical insights today.