The NBC Radio Network program “America’s Town Meeting of the Air” was an early form of electronic “townhall” democracy. In this broadcast from December 1935, Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins is defending and explaining the recently passed Social Security Act, while journalist George E. Sokolsky is attacking the new legislation. You can download a link here.
The mission of the Frances Perkins Center is to fulfill the legacy of Frances Perkins, principal architect of the New Deal, by continuing her work for social and economic justice and preserving for future generations her nationally significant family homestead.
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Frances Perkins’s Newcastle Homestead Nominated as National Historic Landmark
The Frances Perkins Center has nominated the Perkins Homestead in Newcastle, Maine as a National Historic Landmark. Board member Sarah Peskin will present the nomination to the Landmarks Committee of the National Park System Advisory Board December 17 in Washington, DC, following which a recommendation will be made to the Secretary of the Interior.
Meet Our Newest Staff Member
Meet Sam Goldsmith, our new Director of Development for the Frances Perkins Center. Originally from California, Sam is a current resident of Walpole, ME and holds a masters degree from the UCLA School of Public Policy. Stop by the Frances Perkins Center and say hi!
There is a detour posted on River Road in Newcastle, but the Frances Perkins National Monument is still accessible. We are open Thur-Sun 10am – 2pm. Visit us before we close for the season!