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Museums & Exhibits

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Camp Okoboji, SP-9, Iowa

CCC Interpretive Center going forward-one phase at a time

 One rock at a time! 

 Sometimes I think of the construction of the CCC Interpretive Center the way some of the Boys must have thought about building miles of  rock walls.  The projects were long, tough, and tiring, but by placing one rock at a time the end result left a legacy that will remind Americans of their great work for many years to come — one rock at a time.  The foundation was prepared, the rocks were shaped, and the wall was raised because of manpower and the desire to keep going forward.   With the “we can take it” attitude America is a better place. 

 Building the CCC Interpretive Center can be compared to building a rock wall.  It has been a process of building partnership, finding funding, maintaining a working relationship with employees at the Lee District Rangers office.  Using the same “we can take it” attitude we can go forward to placing the “capstone” on this beautiful facility and what it will mean for CCC heritage and CCC Legacy. 

 We have come a long way but the journey is not over.  While the Boys worked one rock at a time...CCC Legacy is one donation or grant at a time until the job is done. 

 Financial recap of past fundraising:  

 Over the last 10 years, CCC advocates have supported the construction of the James R. Wilkins, Sr. CCC Interpretive Center in Edinburg, VA.  The process has gone through several phases of fundraising and construction.  We are now approaching our final phase which is the fabrication of the interpretive designs.  The completion date for the final phase is dependent on funding. 

 The concept for funding is a public, private, and organizational partnership.  Nearly 3 million dollars have already been allocated or donated to its construction:

· $2.75 Million—USFS

· $100,000  - James R. Wilkins SR, charitable trust

· $100,000—pledged from James R. Wilkins Jr.

· $ 95,000—State of Virginia Department of Historic Resources. 

 The budget for the Interpretive displays is $700,000.  CCC Legacy has $300,000 but still needs $400,000 to complete this last and final phase.   Ongoing efforts include seeking grants from corporations and historic agencies. 

 We are also seeking donations from our members to help complete the center.  Throughout the year donations of nearly $6,000 have been contributed with dues payments and chapters donations. 

 All donations are held in a special fund and will not be used for any other purpose.  Donations of $1000 or more will also be accompanied by a granite 12x12 engraved paver that will be placed in the CCC Commemorative wall for additional special recognition.  Donations are tax-deductible

 Designs will cover the major facets of CCC history.  Interpretive displays will included an interactive display demonstrating how to locate forest fires, tools and their use, mock-up of a CCC barracks and diorama on the methods used for building rock walls. 

 There will be panels on the Depression, President Roosevelt, Camp Roosevelt, and Camp Roosevelt personalities that left their mark on the local community.  The importance of the CCC and it lasting impact on the local area and the nation will be highlighted to encourage visitors to become more aware of conservation history and how we can continue to protect our national resources today. 

Join the effort.  Please send your tax-deductible donation to: 

CCC Legacy

Interpretive Center Fund

P.O. Box 341

Edinburg, VA  22824

ON THIS PAGE

CCC Journal Articles

2010 Jan/Feb-

Vol. 34, Issue 1

2009 Sep/Oct

Vol. 33, Issue 5

Ribbon Cutting 11-27-07

Contract for Exhibit Design Finished

For several years CCC advocates in Virginia have been nurturing the construction of the James R. Wilkins, Sr. CCC Interpretive Center in Edinburg, VA.  Earlier this year it was announced that the design contract went to Riggs Ward of Richmond Virginia.   After several rounds of scrutinizing the exhibit design and rewriting text, we are reaching the close of this phase.  The contract has reached the 100% mark.  Bids are now out to complete the Interpretive Center electricity, plumbing, walls, ceiling, heating and air conditioning.  

 As with all long term major projects, time passes, organizers move from one phase to another and many times progress seems very slow.  Now that designs are nearing completion, we can actually share images of the facility interior.   

 The Design components are broken down into the different major phases of CCC history:  introduction to the depression, CCC organization, camp life, projects, education and the impact of the CCC on who we are today.    Exhibits will include barracks life, fire tower, tools, road and wall building,  tools, fire fighting, Camp Roosevelt, the first camp, Virginia conservation agencies, and ending with the CCC Legacy and who we are as we strive to promote CCC heritage.  

 Fundraising Campaign to Begin

Now that the interior designs are completed, we can see  what we will be building.  Many of the remaining NACCCA artifacts that were not moved to the Smithsonian will be used in the exhibits:  cot, blankets, stove, telephone exhibit to name a few.  Other Camp Roosevelt artifacts already donated to the Forest Service will be on display and incorporate together.  The familiar black and white silhouettes that were so prolifically produced by CCC’er Bud Bush of Pennsylvania will be a major design component in the overall CCC theme.  

Material is now being developed to start a fundraising campaign.  Fundraising brochures will soon be available.  Outreach letters and potential donors are being identified. 

The fundraising campaign will have three facets:  Individuals, corporation and other organizations, government  and foundation grants.  In the current economy, this is a hard time to raise funds but we will not give up. 

Donors who support philanthropic causes usually have a procedure that needs to be followed and forms to fill out.  If you are aware of a corporation or foundation that you think would help support CCC heritage, please call Joan Sharpe, 540-984-8735. 

The Ribbon cutting for the new USDA FS Lee District office was held on November 26, 2007

Since 2001, the CCC Legacy has been supporting the construction of the combination Lee District Forest Service office and a CCC Interpretive Center.  On  Monday, November 26 the ribbon was cut to the new office.  

The second phase of the project will be the design and construction of the interior designs that will focus on CCC and conservation heritage.  

Exterior commemorative displays will highlight the CCC Workers Statue and the commemorative paver wall.   CCC Workers Statue. 

Congressman Bob Goodlatte, (R-VA-6) was the guest speaker.  A supporter of this project from its inception he was welcomed to help cut the ribbon that would set the tone for a new era in the George Washington National Forest and the history of the CCC.  George Washington & Jefferson National Forest Supervisor, Maureen Hyzer was also present for the ceremony.

The location of the new office and interpretive center is at the site of the Lee District Depot.  Purchased by the FS in 1938 is has served as the hub for local conservation activities since the time of Camp Roosevelt.  The 8.4 acre lot has been reengineered to accommodate the new building, and the CCC Commemorative Wall and CCC Workers Statue.  The new facility is designed to emulate the early FS architecture of buildings already located at the site.   The garage moved from Camp Roosevelt complements other historic FS buildings.  Photographs taken of the compound before construction started October 2006.