Resettlement Administration
Image: Rehabilitation client of the Resettlement Administration repays his loan.
Smithfield, North Carolina. 1936.
Photograph by Arthur Rothstein
Source of photo and narrative: Photo and narrative source: The Arthur Rothstein Legacy Project.
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In 1935, President Roosevelt created the Resettlement Administration (later, part of the Farm Security Administration or “FSA”).
Image: Rehabilitation client of the Resettlement Administration repays his loan.
Smithfield, North Carolina. 1936.
Photograph by Arthur Rothstein
Source of photo and narrative: Photo and narrative source: The Arthur Rothstein Legacy Project.
--
In 1935, President Roosevelt created the Resettlement Administration (later, part of the Farm Security Administration or “FSA”).
The agency’s mission was “to alleviate rural poverty and assist people dislocated by such forces as farm mechanization and the Dust Bowl.”
The farmer repaying his government loan was typical of thousands who needed help to survive a difficult year.
The poster on the wall was designed by Ben Shahn, an established painter, graphic designer, and photographer employed by the FSA and other New Deal agencies.
He was keenly aware of the emotional power of visual images.
His poster combined words and pictures to convey the agency’s mission: “Years of Dust. Resettlement Administration Rescues Victims, Restores Land to Proper Use.”
The dejected farmer on the poster is reading a newspaper.
Part of the headline reads, “Dust Storm…Farmers Flee…”.
This referred to the severe, multi-year drought that was ruining the land and livelihood of countless rural families in 1936.
The Hawley Museum is passionately committed to uncovering and sharing the fascinating family stories that have influenced our state's and nation's history. We believe that every family has a unique story to tell, one that adds depth to the rich tapestry of North Carolina and U.S. History.
We encourage you to reflect on your own family narrative—did your ancestors play a pivotal role in these historical events? We invite you to become a part of our family curator team by sharing your family's history, whether it be through photos, videos, articles, or documents.
Let’s work together and weave a more comprehensive narrative that honors the roles families have played in our collective past to inspire future museum visitors.
The Hawley Museum is passionately committed to uncovering and sharing the fascinating family stories that have influenced our state's and nation's history. We believe that every family has a unique story to tell, one that adds depth to the rich tapestry of North Carolina and U.S. History.
We encourage you to reflect on your own family narrative—did your ancestors play a pivotal role in these historical events? We invite you to become a part of our family curator team by sharing your family's history, whether it be through photos, videos, articles, or documents.
Let’s work together and weave a more comprehensive narrative that honors the roles families have played in our collective past to inspire future museum visitors.