More than a year ago we began our project to scan the Ohio Guide Photographs.  This collection was created by the Ohio Federal Writers Project, a New Deal era program that employed writers during the Great Depression. Beginning in 1935 their job was to write and publish a guide book about the history and culture of Ohio, points of interest and places to visit in the state. During the course of the project they took and collected thousands of photographs.  With the help of a dedicated group of volunteers and interns 11 of 15 boxes of Ohio Guide photographs have been scanned.  Three boxes have been loaded into our digital library and can be seen online.  To see the Ohio Guide photographs visit Ohio Memory.  Just select Ohio Guide Collection from the pull down menu to search or browse these photographs. We also found more several more copies of photographs by the famous Farm Security Administration photographer Ben Shahn. The Farm Security Administration, another New Deal era program created to assist farmers, sent out photographers to document the affect of the Great Depression on ordinary people across the United States. Some of Farm Security Administration photographs are among the most iconic photographs of twentieth century America.  Finding more examples in our collection is exciting. Parade to the Post” by Ben Shahn for the Farm Security Adminstration.

Family crossing the street in Urbana, Ohio by Ben Shahn for the Farm Security Administration. 
 Leaving church in Ohio by Ben Shahn for the Farm Security Administration.