• Read Object 66: Frank Lloyd Wright House for Disabled World War II Veteran

    History of VA in 100 Objects

    Object 66: Frank Lloyd Wright House for Disabled World War II Veteran

    When the GI Bill became law in 1944, it included a home loan program for Veterans. After several changes to update the law to reflect current market prices and challenges, one area still needed addressed: support for Veterans who were dependent on wheelchairs for mobility. The answer was the Specially Adapted Housing program, and one of the earliest homes built with the grant money was designed by acclaimed builder Frank Lloyd Wright.

  • Read Object 46: Harry Colmery’s Handwritten Draft of GI Bill

    History of VA in 100 Objects

    Object 46: Harry Colmery’s Handwritten Draft of GI Bill

    The massive mobilization of industry and manpower with the United States’ entry into World War II lifted the nation out of the Great Depression. But even as the country enjoyed new heights of economic prosperity, American leaders worried about what would happen after the war. In 1942, Roosevelt formed two separate committees to focus specifically on programs to assist returning Veterans and one produced the GI Bill of Rights.