Here is the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum of Stafford Springs, Connecticut. Currently operated by the very knowledgeable curator Elliotte Draegor, the museum is openly seasonally only. Ms. Draegor hopes to keep the building open for the remainder of September, so try to see it soon.
The museum consists of one building left from the original CCC Camp Connor which stood on this spot in the Shenipsit State Forrest in the 1930s. One of many programs initiated by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to put young men to work, the CCC was perhaps the most popular, and boys and their families profited by the income and the experience. The museum contains materials and artifacts from CCC camps from all over New England. 
The museum was begun by former members of the CCC, who wanted to preserve the story of their own experiences as part of the history of this Depression-era government program. Items, such as photos, scrapbooks, footlockers, clothing and tools continue to be donated by these men or their families. 
Stop by this small, but worthwhile and important museum for look at the can-do spirit of another generation in the throes of economic disaster, who built many of the state and national parks we enjoy today. The Civilian Conservation Corps Museum is located on Route 190 in Stafford Springs, Connecticut. For more info, call: 860-684-3430.
Have a look at this earlier post on the 1011st CCC camp in New Hampshire.
That's great--I'd be all for something like the CCC these days--have always thought it must have been a remarkable program; as you probably know from RFBanjo, my dad was in the CCC & worked on the Townsend, VT state park.
ReplyDeleteHi, John. Maybe they have some artifacts from the Townsend camp. What's so touching about the museum is it's essentially a home-grown project started by the old men who wanted this part of their lives and of American history to be remembered. If there are any ex-CCC boys out there, write your memories down now, write a description on the backs of your photographs. Nothing more haunting than the face of an unknown person starting back at you with a story of his own to tell.
ReplyDeleteI visited this museum today, it is a great resource of information about the CCC in Connecticut. It is now open Sat and Sun from 12-5 pm. Spend some time to see what the CCC did around Connecticut!
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