Historian-at-Large

My latest for Living New Deal:

The Day the Music Died: WPA Bandstands The creation or improvement of town parks was one of the most typical and visible projects of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). They were popular assets for the community, providing needed employment with fewer expenditures: land usually was already available

A few years ago I drove all around Lake Michigan, and among the many wonders I saw was this 1880s hotel in Escanaba--yes, having seen better days, but still in use. Sadly, it succumbed to fire this week. As a historic preservationist, I can say–at least from all the photos I've seen–this amazing building can be saved, if there is the will to do so.