World War I Gardners

Maginel Wright Enright (1877-1966)
Follow the Pied Piper
Color lithograph, 1918
Prints & Photographs Division
LC-USZC4-3691

In 1918 Maginel Wright Enright, sister of Frank Lloyd Wright, submitted to the Division of Pictorial Publicity a pencil sketch for this poster that depicted Uncle Sam as the Pied Piper, in order to stimulate interest in creating war gardens among the country's school children. This national campaign was launched in 1917 to increase the food supply during World War I.

Enright's design was highly praised by Secretary of the Interior Frederick Lane. He wrote, "I think it is a beautiful piece of work . . . I am sure a great many children will find their hearts stirred by the picture, and no older person can look at it without a thrill of loyalty and desire to do his part."