This collection contains 1271 photographs of Work Projects Administration (WPA) projects done in Iowa during the years 1935 to 1940. The collection is divided into two sections. The first is arranged by the five Iowa WPA districts. Within each district, photos are arranged alphabetically by county. Within each county, rural projects are listed first, followed by those in specific towns. The second portion of the collection is arranged by the type of project involved, i.e., "Farm to Market Roads," "Sewing Rooms," "Stadiums and Swimming Pools." Throughout the collection, the dates the pictures were taken, and the project numbers, if known, are included.

Of special note are photographs of a visit made by Eleanor Roosevelt to Des Moines, Iowa on June 8, 1936. Her main purpose in visiting the city was to deliver a commencement address at Drake University, but a portion of her day was devoted to viewing WPA project sites. These sites included a sewing room, a riverfront improvement project, and the Negro Community center at 15th and Crocker. Photographs of Mrs. Roosevelt at these sites can be found in file 8/49.

Finding aid is availablie in the Special Collections and University Archives.