The WPA Folk Song Project

The WPA Folk Song Project was a New Deal initiative during the 1930s aimed at recording and preserving American folk music. Funded by the government, it involved field collectors traveling across the country to gather songs, stories, and musical traditions from diverse communities, especially rural and marginalized groups. The project resulted in thousands of recordings, photographs, and written materials, helping to document America's rich musical heritage. This effort not only preserved these cultural expressions for future generations but also contributed to a greater appreciation and study of regional and traditional music.