Depression Era Work Program, CCC, Celebrates 80 Years

Connecticut’s Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) will host a reunion of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) alumni, family, and friends at the Connecticut CCC Museum at Shenipsit State Forest, Stafford Springs beginning at 1:00 pm Sunday, September 29.   The event is FREE and includes admission to the CCC Museum.

Noted CCC author and oral historian Marty Podskoch of East Hampton, will introduce former CCC alumni who will have the opportunity to recount their work and experiences in the CCC and their family struggles during the Great Depression.  

President Franklin Roosevelt established the Civilian Conservation Corps on May 23, 1933 during the Great Depression. Through their 23 work camps in the state, Corps members built bridges, dams, recreation areas, planted thousands of trees and constructed miles of roads in the state’s forests and parks. The work of the CCC crews helped improve and expand on Connecticut’s network of 107 state parks, now celebrating its 100th year.

The reunion will be held in the offices of the former Camp Conner which today is home to the largest CCC museum in New England. 

The museum is located on Rt. 190 just east of Somers. For additional information call Marty Podskoch at 860-267-2442 or podskoch@comcast.net