Alabama Writers' Project

The Alabama Writers' Project (AWP) was established in 1935 as part of the Federal Writers' Project (FWP). The FWP was one of the programs overseen by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a New Deal program created to provide work relief for employable white- and blue-collar workers. Myrtle Miles served as the first state supervisor of the AWP. She was succeeded by William H. Bunce.

The function of the Alabama Writers' Project was to provide employment for journalists, free-lance writers, and college instructors. Its primary activities were to collect stories, songs, and oral histories documenting Alabama folk life; to research and write about Alabama's history, natural resources, people, occupations, scenic locations, and recreational activities; and to produce publications incorporating much of this information.

The most noted accomplishment of the AWP was the publication of Alabama: A Guide to the Deep South, as well as several smaller works. After the federal government withdrew funding in 1939, the state funded the project until the Guide and most of the other works were published in 1941.

From the description of Agency history record. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 145409325