Washington D.C. Preservationists Rally to Protect New Deal Murals in Historic Cohen Building

3 hours ago7 min read2 comments

A coalition of preservationists and arts advocates is mobilizing to prevent the demolition of Washington D. C.'s Wilbur J. Cohen Building, a site celebrated not for its architecture but for the priceless New Deal-era murals adorning its interior.These monumental works, created by Seymour Fogel, Philip Guston, and Ben Shahn under the Treasury Section of Fine Arts, were commissioned during the Great Depression as part of a federal initiative to integrate art into public life and bolster national morale. The building itself functions as a unique museum, preserving the legacy of a policy that positioned artistic expression as a public good.Advocates warn that losing this space would constitute an irreversible cultural loss, erasing a direct physical connection to an era when the U. S.government was a primary patron of the arts, using murals to narrate stories of American resilience and shared purpose. The controversy highlights a modern-day conflict between preserving cultural heritage and accommodating urban redevelopment.The artworks are of exceptional historical importance; pieces by Guston and Shahn, in particular, chart a critical evolution in American art, bridging social realism and the abstract expressions that followed. This preservation battle is about more than saving walls; it is a fight to uphold the principle that government has a responsibility to champion and protect culture. The impending decision on the building's fate is a litmus test for contemporary values, posing a stark question: Do we regard our artistic legacy as a cornerstone of our national identity, or as an obstacle to progress?.

#featured

#historic building

#New Deal murals

#preservation

#Seymour Fogel

#Philip Guston

#Ben Shahn

#Washington D.C.

Stay Informed. Act Smarter.

Get weekly highlights, major headlines, and expert insights — then put your knowledge to work in our live prediction markets.