Race Against Time: Preservationists Battle to Save Landmark New Deal Murals from Demolition

2 hours ago7 min read1 comments

A high-stakes cultural battle is underway in the nation's capital over the fate of a historic federal building and the priceless New Deal art it contains. The Wilbur J.Cohen Building, with its unremarkable bureaucratic exterior, serves as the unlikely sanctuary for a monumental collection of Depression-era murals painted by artistic giants Ben Shahn, Philip Guston, and Seymour Fogel. These works were created under Section 7 of the Procurement Act of 1939—a groundbreaking New Deal program that positioned artists as essential workers helping to rebuild national morale through public art.The potential sale or redevelopment of the property now threatens these site-specific masterpieces, which were painted with experimental techniques that make successful relocation nearly impossible. Leading the preservation fight are Smithsonian historians and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, who argue that destroying this building would erase a pivotal chapter in American cultural history—a moment when the federal government affirmed art's vital role in national recovery.This confrontation mirrors preservation struggles happening nationwide as New Deal artworks in post offices and public buildings increasingly face demolition. At its core, the conflict forces a difficult national conversation about what we value: the imperatives of urban development or the preservation of artistic heritage that speaks to our collective identity and history. The outcome will signal whether America still honors its New Deal legacy—a vision of hope painted on walls for future generations to witness.

#featured

#historic preservation

#New Deal art

#murals

#Seymour Fogel

#Philip Guston

#Ben Shahn

#Washington D.C.

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