Description
Herbert H. Lehman served as governor during the bulk of the Great Depression. His leadership and advocacy led to the state's adoption of the "Little New Deal," a series of state relief and reform programs. His central subject and correspondence files pertain to the establishment of unemployment insurance; state and federal social security legislation; slum clearance and the establishment of public housing; welfare assistance to communities; limiting of child labor; minimum wage legislation; crime prevention; and legal and constitutional reform.