Tough Times and Lasting Legacies:

The Great Depression, the New Deal and Centre County

October 30, 2008 - June 30, 2009

Download the exhibit panels (panel design by Daivd Lembeck; text by Angela Breeden) - 8 MB

WPSU Radio (91.5 FM) remembers the past and seeks guidance for the future in this special, one-week series on the Great Depression: "Times of Triumph", May 4 through 8 at 6:50 a.m. and again at 8:50 a.m.

Get a glimpse of the days when the only way to survive was by standing in bread lines or working long days on the farm. This exclusive series includes a tour of downtown State College, where many of the buildings date to the Depression, as well as first-hand stories from your friends and neighbors who experienced the Depression ... in cities, on farms, and in the classroom – as well as people who didn't face any struggles at all.

Pennsylvania's history as an industrial leader allowed it to be especially vulnerable to the economic breakdown that epitomized the 1930s and the Great Depression. Within four years of the stock market crash of 1929, national unemployment reached 25%, but in Pennsylvania it was a staggering 37% pushing 1.4 million people into joblessness and poverty.

Centre County was a microcosm of the Commonwealth, as its diverse geographical regions supported 102 businesses and industries including coal, lumber, brick, stone, and textile production. In 1928 they provided $3.5 million in wages to Centre County workers, but by 1932 that value fell by half when 30% of the workforce was unemployed.

The competition for jobs increased and the pressure endured by businesses, especially small business that provided "luxuries" often resulted in bankruptcy. By the end of the Great Depression, Centre County lost a quarter of all its business establishments including four of its five laundries, it's only sporting goods store, and six ice cream parlors.

Scholars continue to study and debate the factors that led to the worst economic event of the 20th century, but the federal and state response to it is an even more complex topic. Herbert Hoover was defeated in the presidential election of 1932 on the basis that he did not acknowledge or respond quickly enough to the spiraling economy or the widespread suffering it caused. Franklin Delano Roosevelt evicted him from the White House in a landslide victory and took office in March 1933 under his pledge to create "...a new deal for the American people."

It seemed everyone, including Congress, wanted a change and within 100 days of taking office Roosevelt won 15 major legislative approvals. Some of the New Deal's experimental programs failed but the legacy of others continues to surround us. The Civilian Conservation Corps, Public Works Administration, Works Progress Administration, and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration provided government financed programs that created buildings, roads, landscapes and direct employment locally. State assistance through the General Spending Authority also granted the Pennsylvania State University the funds to build 9 new buildings in 1937, priming it to become the second largest college in Pennsylvania by 1939. Its expansion resulted in a measure of economic stability to State College and with it the growth that would for the first time surpass Bellefonte as a population center of the county.

The Centre County Historical Society celebrates the 75th anniversary of the New Deal with a look at the Great Depression and its effect on Centre County residents. Throughout this exhibit we explore local business and industry and the general climate in which they operated, providing a greater understanding of Centre County as we know it today.

The "Tough Times and Lasting Legacies" exhibit will be open during the Mansion's regular hours: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. until June 30, 2009. There is no charge for admission. Exhibit building will be closed in the case of inclement weather. Please contact the Centre County Historical Society for more information at info@centrecountyhistory.org or (814) 234-4779.

The information included in this exhibit was based on the research of Dr. William Pencak, whose participation was made possible through the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and their partnership with the Pennsylvania State University Institute for the Arts and Humanities. The work of Mike Bezilla, Benjamin McNitt, Beth Rider, John Eastlake, and Angela Breeden was also included. This exhibit was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Howard Norton Cook, "Steel Industry," (detail) 1936, United States Post Office & Courthouse, Pittsburgh, PA. Courtesy of the General Services Administration, Fine Arts Program

The inspiration for this exhibit originated with the work of Centre County Historical Society member, David Lembeck. Mr. Lembeck has been researching and documenting New Deal post office art for over 13 years, and his work with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has resulted in a related exhibit. A Common Canvas: Pennsylvania's New Deal Post Office Murals will be on view November 22, 2008 to May 17, 2009 at the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. It gives our visitors the opportunity to explore another fascinating component of the New Deal as we celebrate its 75th anniversary.

American Lime & Stone, Bellefonte, 1940s

Exhibit Opening and Reception
"Centre County during the Great Depression"

Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

On Thursday, October 30 Penn State University Professor of American History, William Pencak will address this topic while providing insights into current events. This special presentation will mark the opening of the exhibit and will take place at the Centre Furnace Mansion at 7:00 p.m.