Southwest Federal Center in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Growth of Social Security

1941

— granite —

<i>The Growth of Social Security</i> Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 27, 2023

1. The Growth of Social Security Marker

Inscription.

Henry Kreis
(b. 1899, Essen, Germany - d. 1963, Essex, Connecticut)

Henry Kreis' The Growth of Social Security is an allegory for the founding of federal social services in America. Two men clasp hands in celebration of having planted a sapling, which represents the inherent promise of Social Security that shared labor and planning will provide for an uncertain future. Kreis' corresponding panel, The Benefits of Social Security, shows the fulfillment of that promise as the tree bears fruit above the building's Third Street entrance.

Henry Kreis was born in Germany and served in the German Army during World War I. He immigrated to America in 1922 and produced materials, architectural ornamentations, medals, coin designs, and other sculptural objects over his nearly forty year career. The Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building was completed in 1941 and was intended to become the permanent headquarters of the Social Security Administration. The building's corresponding decorative program was commissioned by the Section of Fine Arts to represent the purpose and merits of the agency. However, upon completion, the building

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was commandeered by the War Department for the duration of World War II. By war's end, the Social Security Administration had outgrown the building and so never occupied it. Today, the building houses the Department of Health and Human Services, the Broadcasting Board of Governors, and Voice of America.

Erected by Fine Arts Collection, U.S. General Services Administration.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Charity & Public Work • Government & Politics • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.

Location. 38° 53.242′ N, 77° 0.983′ W. Marker is in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Southwest Federal Center. It is at the intersection of Independence Avenue Southwest and Maryland Avenue Southwest, on the right when traveling east on Independence Avenue Southwest. The marker is on the north side of the Wilbur J. Cohen Federal Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 330 Independence Avenue Southwest, Washington DC 20237, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this

<i>The Growth of Social Security</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 27, 2023

2. The Growth of Social Security

marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Nora Naranjo-Morse (within shouting distance of this marker); Cardinal Direction Marker: South (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Nora Naranjo-Morse (within shouting distance of this marker); Mrs. Lyndon Johnson Planted Azaleas Here (within shouting distance of this marker); Traditional Croplands (within shouting distance of this marker); Eastern Meadow (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southwest Washington.

Other markers no longer nearby. Nora Naranjo-Morse (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Lunar Calendars (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been

Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, October 27, 2024

3. The Growth of Social Security Marker

permanently removed); a different marker also named Nora Naranjo-Morse (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Cardinal Direction Marker: South (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Wingapo (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Traditional Croplands (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Sunflower • Wádxaweew (wah-ha-way-oh) (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); Meadow (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Broomsedge (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); Can you find symbols… (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Additional keywords. The Growth of Social Security

Credits. This page was last revised on January 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 255 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 2, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on October 27, 2024, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.