CCC Legacy – All That Remains
By Kathleen Duxbury

The Civilian Conservation Corps lasted nine years (1933 – 1942) and provided over 3 million young men and an equal number of other civilians the opportunity to combat hunger and economic adversity.
It was the first and most successful of FDR’s New Deal programs.

 The Great Depression coincided with a wave of natural disasters, drought that would ravage the Northwest, devastating floods in the Midwest and an unemployment rate of 25-30%.
Among the groups hardest hit were WW1 veterans and youth between the ages of 17 – 24
And for artists the opportunities were almost nonexistant, noone was purchasing art.

 The CCC’s put Americans to work. Paying a $30 a month. Volunteering for 6 month stays, they lived in military style camps, were fed three square meals a day, clothed and offered educational courses.  Working hard they planted over 3 billion trees, built fire roads and ranger stations, fought fires and insect infestations while building character and self-esteem.

  Laying the foundation for the state and national park system we enjoy today.  


“The cCc Legacy – All That Remains” is historical documentation of the nine years that spanned the program. Kathleen Duxbury returns to the parks, camps and forests to research the stories and photograph in the fine art infrared spectrum all that remains.

 

 

 

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