Description: This photograph is a view of the Toledo Zoo’s amphitheater, one of several buildings constructed at the zoo between 1934 and 1937 under the auspices of the Works Progress Administration. The amphitheater was dedicated in 1936. In this photograph, musicians are seated on chairs in front of the stage, and a conductor is standing on a raised platform in the middle of the group. The orchestra is practicing for a Toledo Civic Light Opera Production. Professional light opera productions were held at this amphitheater from 1939 to 1947. A few people are seen standing on the stage, which has scenery in place, and walking or sitting on the grounds in front of the musicians. A small cluster of people are visible in the raked seating area. Stage lighting sits atop a metal tower in the foreground. The amphitheater's architecture resembles the Mission Revival style, with curved lines, copper dome towers, and tile roof. Like other WPA-era buildings at the zoo, the amphitheater incorporated materials from demolished structures in the area: stone, wood, timber, and copper. The large stone blocks bordering the huge arch are from locks of the former Miami and Erie Canal. The other buildings erected by the WPA are the zoo's aquarium, reptile house, museum, and aviary. All of the WPA buildings, including the amphitheater, are still in use. The Toledo Zoo was founded in 1900. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06170
Subjects: Toledo Zoo (Toledo, Ohio); Amphitheaters; Zoos; Toledo (Ohio); Animals
Places: Toledo (Ohio); Lucas County (Ohio)
 

Description: Dated August 15, 1936, this photograph shows Works Progress Administration workers beginning construction on the amphitheater at University of Cincinnati in Hamilton County, Ohio. The photograph's original caption reads "Open air theater at the University of Cincinnati, 45% completed Aug. 15, 1936." The amphitheater is no longer part of the campus. This photograph is one of the many visual materials collected for use in the Ohio Guide. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Works Progress Administration by executive order to create jobs for the large numbers of unemployed laborers, as well as artists, musicians, actors, and writers. The Federal Arts Program, a sector of the Works Progress Administration, included the Federal Writers’ Project, one of the primary goals of which was to complete the America Guide series, a series of guidebooks for each state which included state history, art, architecture, music, literature, and points of interest to the major cities and tours throughout the state. Work on the Ohio Guide began in 1935 with the publication of several pamphlets and brochures. The Reorganization Act of 1939 consolidated the Works Progress Administration and other agencies into the Federal Works Administration, and the Federal Writers’ Project became the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio. The final product was published in 1940 and went through several editions. The Ohio Guide Collection consists of 4,769 photographs collected for use in Ohio Guide and other publications of the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio from 1935-1939. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B03F13_018_1
Subjects: Amphitheaters--Ohio; College campuses--Ohio; United States. Work Projects Administration; Architecture
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Dated August 15, 1936, this photograph shows Works Progress Administration workers beginning construction on the amphitheater at University of Cincinnati in Hamilton County, Ohio. The photograph's original caption reads "Open air theater at the University of Cincinnati, 45% completed Aug. 15, 1936." The amphitheater is no longer part of the campus. This photograph is one of the many visual materials collected for use in the Ohio Guide. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Works Progress Administration by executive order to create jobs for the large numbers of unemployed laborers, as well as artists, musicians, actors, and writers. The Federal Arts Program, a sector of the Works Progress Administration, included the Federal Writers’ Project, one of the primary goals of which was to complete the America Guide series, a series of guidebooks for each state which included state history, art, architecture, music, literature, and points of interest to the major cities and tours throughout the state. Work on the Ohio Guide began in 1935 with the publication of several pamphlets and brochures. The Reorganization Act of 1939 consolidated the Works Progress Administration and other agencies into the Federal Works Administration, and the Federal Writers’ Project became the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio. The final product was published in 1940 and went through several editions. The Ohio Guide Collection consists of 4,769 photographs collected for use in Ohio Guide and other publications of the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio from 1935-1939. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B03F13_020_1
Subjects: Amphitheaters--Ohio; College campuses--Ohio; United States. Work Projects Administration; Architecture
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Original description reads: "Project #16-31-48. Open air theater at the U.C.-95% completed." This amphitheater, built with aid from the W.P.A., no longer exists on the University of Cincinnati campus. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B03F13_021_1
Subjects: Amphitheaters--Ohio; College campuses--Ohio; United States. Work Projects Administration; Architecture--Ohio--Pictorial works.
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)