WPA Workers at the State Hospital

The original caption for this photograph reads: Columbus, Ohio. State Hospital. Here the Works Progress Administration (WPA) has a large number of workers who assist in occupational and recreational therapy for patients of the hospital. Photo shows Works Progress Administration women attendants assisting in occupational therapy with the women patients.

The Photographic Section of the WPA Information Division in Washington, D.C. was responsible for obtaining and supplying photographs to the WPA and the public for use in progress reports, magazines, newspapers, other publications, exhibits, and in general to give information on WPA activities as graphically as possible. The camera was to be used as one of the most helpful aids in the work of the Information Division. It was a continuing responsibility to have good photographs to show improvements resulting from the work of the WPA. Pictures were useful both for record purposes and for public relations. Photos were sent to the Photographic Section from the states and the central office also had their own photographers who were sent out to take pictures across the country.