SEE AMERICA WPA POSTERS

Visit the National Parks. Circa 1936

Promoting Tourism for the United States Travel Bureau (1936-1939)

 

The Federal Art Project (FAP) was a Works Progress Administration (WPA) Depression Era New Deal program that employed artists in New York City and across the United States to create art during the Great Depression.

 

The See America posters were published by the New York poster project and was separate from the WPA National Park Posters which were published in Berkeley California at the Western Museum Laboratory (WML).

 

Under the New Deal, the U.S. Travel Bureau set out to awaken Americans’ interest in their homeland. Given the conditions of the time – much of Europe and Asia were embroiled in war in the late 1930s – Americans’ opportunities for travel abroad were severely limited and, in any case, the harsh economic realities faced by most U.S. Citizens made distant travel a mere pipe dream.

 

The See America campaign redefined local travel as patriotic and a cornerstone of US national identity. They explicitly urged viewers to, See America, but they also asked that we re-see America as a land capable of providing sustenance and a rebirth of spirit. This spirit was a resource the nation badly needed in its struggle during trying economic circumstance. 

 

These posters typically promoted visiting America’s natural wonders and the country’s national parks like Arches National Park in Utah featuring weathered natural sandstone arches, and the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico filled with magnificent stalactites and stalagmites.

 

The original archival images were provided to Buffalo River Co courtesy of The Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.  Our digital archivist has lightly restored and enhanced the images in preparation for printing your Giclee print order.  We print the entire image as it was created many years ago. That means we also reproduce the artworks aged patina, subtle imperfections, and signs of aging.

Our Giclee prints are created to look like the original, as if you wandered into a vintage store and saw it hanging on the wall with an aged patina that only the vestige of time can impart … so that their timeless essence is evoked for display in your home, office, mountain cabin, or lake house.

$69.00
/
  • Orders $75.00 and over – FREE SHIPPING.
  • Orders $74.99 and under – $7.50 Shipping

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Heritage Prints FAQ

Heritage Prints preserves America's visual history through museum-quality reproductions of rare historical prints. We carefully restore and reproduce prints from the historic Buffalo River Library collection and other prestigious institutions, maintaining their authentic character while making them accessible to contemporary homes.

Each print carries forward its own journey - not a mass-produced replica but a faithful representation of American moments captured in time. From sporting life to rural traditions, these prints connect today's homes to authentic American experiences.

Our Heritage Prints honor the time-worn character that only decades can create. We preserve the yellowed paper patina, subtle corner creases, and marks and thumbtack holes where these pieces once hung - all elements that give historical prints their authentic voice.

Unlike typical reproductions that sanitize imperfections, we deliberately maintain these marks of time. The subtle aging, texture variations, and authentic patina make each Heritage Print a window to America's past rather than just a picture on your wall.

Each Heritage Print is made to order, ensuring exceptional detail and lasting beauty. Your museum-quality Giclée print arrives with a certificate of authenticity and origin story, connecting you to its unique heritage.

We use Hahnemühle fine art paper, an ultra premium 310gsm German Etching – 100% α-cellulose paper with a distinct textured surface. Its premium matt inkjet coating meets the highest industry standards for density, color gamut, and image sharpness while preserving the feel of genuine art paper.

Our premium water-based inks produce colors independently verified to last 100+ years when displayed properly.

Art that doesn't cost the earth. We believe heritage should be preserved in ways that
protect our future as well as our past. Our commitment includes:

  • Water-based inks with no harmful solvents
  • Premium papers from sustainable managed forests
  • Recycled packaging materials
  • Partnerships with local, family-owned businesses who share our values

We begin with authentic historical prints from our Buffalo River Library and collaborate with museums and prestigious institutions to obtain archival scans. Our careful restoration maintains each piece's essence - enhancing visibility while preserving the authentic aged character that makes these prints special.

Our Heritage Prints look and feel like discovering an original in a vintage store - with time-earned patina that can't be manufactured. We print the entire image as it was created many years ago, preserving the artwork's character, imperfections, and signs of its journey through time.

Our framed prints feature sustainably sourced frames made from 100% solid Ash wood by a family-owned Vermont business. They handle everything from local log sourcing to custom frame production.

Frame specifications:

  • 0.75-inch face
  • 1.5-inch depth
  • Acrylic conservation glazing
  • Acid-free backing paper
  • 100% archival matboard
  • Hanging wire installed

Our acrylic conservation glazing offers advantages over glass:

  • Optical clarity
  • Shatterproof protection
  • Lightweight design
  • Safe for all environments

Note: This information applies only to Framed Prints.

Our eCommerce for Good Heritage Print Collection turns stories into action with 50% of each print's purchase price going directly to worthy causes. When you bring one of these prints home, you're connecting to American heritage while supporting community causes that matter.

Domestic Shipping via UPS Ground or USPS

  • Free shipping on orders over $75.00
  • $7.50 shipping for orders under $75.00

Shipping Time

All Heritage Prints are made to order:

  • Unframed prints: Approximately 1-2 weeks
  • Framed prints: Approximately 2-3 weeks

Packaging

Depending on the print size, we ship in:

  • Rigid spiral-wound cardboard tubes
  • Postal envelopes
  • Corrugated cardboard boxes or envelopes made from recycled materials

International Shipping

Currently, we do not ship outside the U.S.

Return Policy

We accept returns of unframed prints within 30 days of purchase

Framed prints cannot be returned

Returned prints must be in new condition and in original packaging

Email info@buffaloriver.co with your order # for return authorization

Returns without authorization may not be accepted

If your order arrives damaged, email info@buffaloriver.co with photos for a
replacement.