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The month of August will see the McFarland State Historic Park playing host to a traveling exhibit. A Dose of Cod Liver Oil: The New Deal in Arizona will display a collage of photos, maps, and documents across five large panels, showing the effects of the New Deal on life in Arizona during the Great Depression. The opening reception will take place at McFarland Park on Thursday, August 4, at 5:00pm. The public is invited to enjoy light refreshments as they explore the exhibit at their own pace.

This project was supported with funds granted by the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records Agency, a division of the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office, under the Library Services and Technology Act, which is administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Library Events

The Florence Community Library is also taking part in this month-long look at the Great Depression. Throughout the month of August, movies are shown in the library’s programming room every Friday at 1:00pm. These include both modern films and classics touching on The Great Depression. Because of licensing restrictions, titles are unavailable to the media or through the library’s web site. Patrons may call (520) 868-8311 or visit the library for title information. Titles are subject to change.

The library will also host a special presentation on Wednesday, August 17, at 2:00pm. Betsy Fahlmann will deliver her presentation, Eating the Depression: New Deal Food. This discussion will draw on photographs from the U. S. Farm Security Administration (later the Office of War Information), World War II posters, and work by American artists to show how food became a key element of community life, bringing people together during these years of hardship. This program was made possible by the Arizona Humanities Council, and is sponsored by the Friends of the Florence Community Library.