Athenaeum Hall Improvements – Framingham MA

Courtesy the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.), Athenaeum Hall in Framingham was “repaired and painted, both inside and out. New plastering was installed where necessary…” The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) installed a new heating system, water pipes, and electrical wiring… read more

Bowditch Field – Framingham MA

Sometimes referred to as the Union Avenue Athletic Field, “Bowditch Field is the town’s main athletic facility. It is located on Union Avenue midway between Downtown and Framingham Center and was the main athletic facility for the town. It houses… read more

Edgell Memorial Library Improvements – Framingham MA

In 1935 F.E.R.A./W.P.A. labor painted Framingham’s Edgell Library, and conducted plaster repair and woodwork varnishing. “On the outside the doors, sash, and some of the stone masonry were painted, and the rain water conductors were replaced or repaired.” The W.P.A…. read more

High School (former) Improvements – Framingham MA

All 17 schoolhouses in Framingham, Massachusetts were painted, remodeled, and/or repaired with federally funded labor during the Great Depression. At the former High School (now Danforth Art Museum) the Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) conducted maintenance work in 1933. Heating facilities… read more

Historic Village Hall Improvements – Framingham MA

Courtesy the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.), Village Hall in Framingham was “repaired and painted, both inside and out. New plastering was installed where necessary…” In 1937 the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) replaced the electrical wiring, installed a cement concrete… read more

Hollis St. Fire Station (former) Additions – Framingham MA

During 1934 the [C.W.A. and/or] F.E.R.A “thoroughly renovated and repaired” Framingham’s Hollis Street fire station, in addition to constructing “a new brick fireproof fire alarm signal building” in the rear of the station. Later the W.P.A. sponsored a six-room addition… read more

Jonathon Maynard School (former) Improvements – Framingham MA

All 17 schoolhouses in Framingham, Massachusetts were painted, remodeled, and/or repaired with federally funded labor during the Great Depression. At the former Jonathon Maynard School the Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) graded the land behind the school and built a new… read more

Lincoln School (former) Improvements – Framingham MA

All 17 schoolhouses in Framingham, Massachusetts were painted, remodeled, and/or repaired with federally funded labor during the Great Depression. At the former Lincoln School the Civil Works Administration (C.W.A.) painted classrooms and repaired ceilings in 1933. Heating facilities and floors… read more

Memorial Building (Town Hall) Improvements – Framingham MA

Multiple New Deal agencies: the C.W.A., F.E.R.A, and W.P.A. funded labor for the improvement of Framingham’s Memorial Building. The C.W.A. painted the offices and corridors of the Memorial Building in 1933. “The improvement in the looks of the building is… read more

Memorial School (former) Improvements – Framingham MA

All 17 schoolhouses in Framingham, Massachusetts were painted, remodeled, and/or repaired with federally funded labor during the Great Depression. In 1935 the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) and/or Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) conducted brickwork, installed new copper flashing, finished ceilings,… read more

Nipmuc Road Reconstruction – Framingham MA

The Work Projects Administration (W.P.A.) reconstructed Framingham’s Nipmuc Road in 1940. Town Report, 1940: Portions of Nipmuc Road between Wood Avenue and Row Street had settled materially because of the poor foundation conditions existing there and the sewer, drain and… read more

Reformatory Improvements – Framingham MA

In 1935 F.E.R.A. and W.P.A. labor conducted the following improvement work at what was then known as the Reformatory (now Massachusetts Correctional Institution), in Framingham, Mass.: Roads and walks were constructed and grading done at the Reformatory Mother’s Cottage and… read more

Road Development – Framingham MA

Between 1933 and 1943 multiple New Deal agencies: the C.W.A., F.E.R.A., and W.P.A., provided the labor for dozens of street paving and improvement projects throughout Framingham, Mass. Work included “15 miles of secondary gravel streets, 2 miles of primary paved… read more

Roosevelt School (demolished) Improvements – Framingham MA

All 17 schoolhouses in Framingham, Massachusetts were painted, remodeled, and/or repaired with federally funded labor during the Great Depression. The former Roosevelt School, demolished in the 1950s, was located at the southeast corner of Fay Rd. and Seminole Ave., now… read more

Sewers and Drains – Framingham MA

Between 1933 and 1943 multiple New Deal agencies: the C.W.A., F.E.R.A., and W.P.A., funded labor for the drastic expansion of sewers and other drainage pipes in Framingham, Mass. In all 17 miles of sewers and eight miles of drains were… read more

Sidewalks – Framingham MA

Between 1933 and 1943 multiple New Deal agencies: the C.W.A., F.E.R.A., and W.P.A., combined to construct 18 miles of ‘permanent concrete sidewalks’ throughout Framingham, Mass., as well as 12 miles of curbing. In addition to improvements to the existing sidewalk… read more

Winter St. Development and Bridge – Framingham MA

The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) undertook improvement work along Winter Steet in Framingham, Mass., including culvert construction and the building of a bridge over the Sudbury River [Reservoir/Aqueduct] in 1939. Living New Deal believes the bridge to be largely intact… read more