A Better Massachusetts (1937 Original Black & White Film)

Step back to 1937 with this fascinating documentary, *A Better Massachusetts*, which highlights the impactful Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects shaping the state during the Great Depression. The film begins with scenes of streets in Springfield being paved and sewer pipes installed, improving infrastructure and daily life. It also showcases WPA artists painting beautiful shore scenes, reflecting the state's rich cultural heritage. The documentary captures playground activities and highlights the construction of ship models in Marblehead, celebrating both recreation and craftsmanship. In Quincy, WPA workers test methods to prevent silicosis among granite workers, addressing a critical health concern in the local industry. The film also includes a dramatic breeches buoy rescue practice conducted by the Coast Guard on Cape Cod, demonstrating safety preparedness. Nurses are shown instructing mothers on the care of babies, emphasizing the WPA's commitment to public health. Other notable scenes include a hatchery at Gloucester, braille mapping at the Perkins Institute for the Blind in Watertown, and children enjoying free music and dance lessons. The film concludes with heartwarming scenes of nursery school activities, highlighting the WPA’s focus on early childhood education. *A Better Massachusetts* is a powerful look at how WPA projects improved infrastructure, health, education, and the arts across the state.

Source: National Archives. (1937). *A Better Massachusetts*. [Video] Retrieved from the National Archives Catalog, https://catalog.archives.gov/id/12356