Key Takeaways:
- The Living New Deal (LND) is tracking potential threats to the federal government’s art and architecture collection, managed by the General Services Administration (GSA).
- The Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building, a historic building with significant artworks, is at risk of demolition due to the White House’s attempts to bypass the GSA-led Section 106 process.
- The LND has launched a campaign to save the building, including a public petition and collaboration with experts to map historic sites on the "accelerated disposals" list.
- The building’s artworks, including fresco murals by Ben Shahn, Philip Guston, and Seymour Fogel, are an integral part of the building’s significance and cannot be removed.
- The current administration’s actions threaten to undermine historic preservation law and the federal agencies tasked with protecting the Cohen Building and other significant cultural heritage sites.
Introduction to the Crisis
Following the change in presidential administrations, the Living New Deal (LND) has been closely monitoring potential threats to the federal government’s art and architecture collection, managed by the General Services Administration (GSA). The GSA is responsible for over 500 historic buildings and the nation’s largest collection of public art, which includes 26,000 objects dating from the 1850s through the present day. Many of these artworks were commissioned under the New Deal, and their preservation is crucial to understanding the country’s cultural heritage.
The Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building
The Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building, completed in 1940, is a prime example of the significant artworks and architecture that are at risk. The building’s design, a combination of pre-World War II art moderne and stripped classicism styles with a subtle Egyptian flair, is distinctive for the region. The building’s significance is enhanced by extraordinary fresco murals by distinguished American artists, such as Ben Shahn, Philip Guston, and Seymour Fogel. These works, in addition to sculptural reliefs, offer powerful reflections on the meaning of Social Security to working Americans and are difficult, if not impossible, to remove.
The Threat of Demolition
The White House’s attempts to bypass the GSA-led Section 106 process, which is designed to decide the Cohen Building’s fate, have raised concerns about the potential for irrevocable loss of shared cultural heritage. The LND has sent a formal letter to the GSA and other federal agencies requesting participation as a consulting party in the Section 106 process, but the response has been inadequate. The LND has also launched a public petition to save the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building, which has gathered over 5,000 signatures. The petition is a crucial step in raising awareness about the building’s significance and the need for its preservation.
The Section 106 Process
The Section 106 process is a review process that is designed to ensure that federal agencies consider the potential impacts of their actions on historic properties. The process involves consultation with stakeholders, including the public, and requires that agencies consider alternatives to demolition. However, the White House’s attempts to bypass this process have raised concerns that the Cohen Building and its artworks may be at risk of demolition. The LND is working to ensure that the Section 106 process is followed, and that the Cohen Building is preserved for future generations.
The Role of the LND
The LND has been working tirelessly to save the Cohen Building and its artworks. The organization has collaborated with experts to map historic sites on the "accelerated disposals" list, highlighting those that contain art. The LND has also launched a public awareness campaign, including editorials and a petition, to raise awareness about the building’s significance and the need for its preservation. The organization is urging citizens to check on the Cohen Building throughout the holiday break, take photographs, and report any signs of construction mobilization to the LND and the media.
The Importance of Public Engagement
Public engagement is crucial in the fight to save the Cohen Building and its artworks. The LND is urging citizens to speak out and advocate for the building’s preservation. The organization is also encouraging friends engaged in the legacy media or on other public platforms to hold elected officials accountable and safeguard historic preservation laws. By working together, citizens can ensure that the Cohen Building and its artworks are preserved for future generations.
The Legacy of the New Deal
The New Deal was a series of programs and policies implemented during the Great Depression to help the country recover. The program commissioned many significant artworks and buildings, including the Cohen Building, which reflect the progressive impact of the New Deal on American life and the government’s role in creating a more just society. The architects of the New Deal believed in government as a positive force to ensure the welfare of the American people, and their legacy is worth preserving. The Cohen Building and its artworks are a testament to the power of government to create positive change and to promote the welfare of all citizens.
Conclusion
The Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building and its artworks are at risk of demolition due to the White House’s attempts to bypass the GSA-led Section 106 process. The LND has launched a campaign to save the building, including a public petition and collaboration with experts to map historic sites on the "accelerated disposals" list. Citizens must speak out and advocate for the building’s preservation to ensure that it is protected for future generations. The legacy of the New Deal and the significance of the Cohen Building and its artworks make it imperative that we take action to preserve this important part of American history. By working together, we can ensure that the Cohen Building and its artworks are preserved and continue to inspire future generations.
