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American Guide Series
Wisconsin - A Guide to the Badger State
At the height of the Depression, the government put thousands of writers to work for the Works Progress Administration. Out of their efforts came the American Guide series, the first comprehensive guidebooks to the people, resources, and traditions of each state in the nation. The WPA Guide to Wisconsin offers a lively tour of yesterday’s Badger State. More than a nostalgic snapshot of 1930s Wisconsin, this book contains essays on the state’s history and architecture, folklore and geology, arts and industry. The city tours and auto trips take you to places still familiar today—perfect for those who want to slow down, turn off the main road, and journey back in time.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1941
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 26, 2009
I've been struggling of late to finish books - fiction and nonfiction alike - and more and more I find myself turning to poetry and reference books.
One of my favorites of late is The WPA Guide to (1930s) Wisconsin, a current reprint from the Minnesota Historical Society of the original books that were published and updated throughout the 1940s. The Guide is a little bit of history, geography and even ethnography.
My favorite portion of the book is its "tours," descriptive road trips of pre-Interstate Wisconsin that touch on some of the most out of the way places.
The WPA produced guides for all 48 states of the time and the MHS has recently (I believe) published reprints of Minnesota and the states that border it. If none of these states catch your fancy, the original guides for whatever state, are usually available and affordable through used book stores.
One of my favorites of late is The WPA Guide to (1930s) Wisconsin, a current reprint from the Minnesota Historical Society of the original books that were published and updated throughout the 1940s. The Guide is a little bit of history, geography and even ethnography.
My favorite portion of the book is its "tours," descriptive road trips of pre-Interstate Wisconsin that touch on some of the most out of the way places.
The WPA produced guides for all 48 states of the time and the MHS has recently (I believe) published reprints of Minnesota and the states that border it. If none of these states catch your fancy, the original guides for whatever state, are usually available and affordable through used book stores.
Displaying 1 of 1 review