During the 1930s in the United States, the Works Progress Administration developed the Federal Writers’ Project to support writers and artists while making a national effort to document the country’s shared history and culture. The American Guide series consists of individual guides to each of the states. Little-known authors—many of whom would later become celebrated literary figures—were commissioned to write these important books. John Steinbeck, Saul Bellow, Zora Neale Hurston, and Ralph Ellison are among the more than 6,000 writers, editors, historians, and researchers who documented this celebration of local histories. Photographs, drawings, driving tours, detailed descriptions of towns, and rich cultural details exhibit each state’s unique flavor.

"All of us, at one time or another, have had a strong desire to be able to get in a time machine and be transported magically to an earlier place and time. Science has not yet produced for us such a time machine, but the Federal Writers' Project (FWP), a division of the Works Projects Administration, did produce for posterity guides to all of the old 48 states. Using talented local researchers and writers the FWP created an image of America fifty years ago. North Carolina: the WPA Guide to the Old North State is a reprint of the original WPA guide. It contains a calendar of events and sections on the natural setting, Indians, history, Negroes, agriculture, modes of travel, industry and labor, education, religion, sports and recreation, folkways and folklore. A section on the principal cities and towns, their history and interesting facts about the present-day communities, and points of interest are included. A new introduction by William S. Powell, professor of history emeitus at the University of North Carolina, is included."--