The work of local WPA artists in the midst of the Great Depression symbolizes the great soul of our historic struggle to overcome the adversity of the past through creativity and perseverence. Yet now one of the greatest architectural monuments to this period in our city's history, as well as one of the greatest collections of Michigan WPA art tied to a single building, is being allowed to decay into wrecking ball material!

The Brodhead Armory on Jefferson Avenue in Detroit, next to Gabriel Richard Park just east of the MacArthur Bridge to Belle Isle, is an amazing historic structure, built during the Great Depression, and housing some of the city's great Depression-era WPA art. Yet for more than 5 years now this building has been left by the city to decay, suffering great water damage that is already harming some of the WPA murals in the building, and is now threatening the very structure and survival of the building.

This is a great historical structure that needs to be saved, but only a major campaign by the city's historical preservationist, arts, architectural, and civic and philanthropic communities will be able to save this historic building. I am pulling together a steering committee to organize a campaign to save this building for the present and future enjoyment of all Detroiters. If you would be interested in joining this effort, please contact us at 313-537-4830.