Join Pasadena Heritage and The Living New Deal for a special lecture and reception exploring how New Deal programs transformed the San Gabriel Valley during the Great Depression. Beginning with an overview of the 1930s economic crisis and an introduction to The Living New Deal, this presentation will highlight the enduring impact of New Deal investments in Pasadena, South Pasadena, and Altadena—from rebuilding public schools after the 1933 earthquake to creating iconic parks, murals, and cultural programs that still shape civic life today.

Featuring examples of PWA-funded school buildings, WPA art and sculpture, CCC-built parklands, and early federal theater performances, this talk sheds light on the overlooked history behind many familiar landmarks.

Presented by Lauren Davies, MA candidate in History at California State University Long Beach and research assistant with The Living New Deal. Growing up in Los Angeles, Lauren has a passion for uncovering how New Deal programs shaped the everyday landscapes of her hometown.