The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a public work relief program for unemployed men, focused on natural resource conservation from 1933 to 1942. As part of the New Deal legislation proposed by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), the CCC was designed firstly, to aid relief of high unemployment stemming from the Great Depression and secondly, to carry out a broad natural resource conservation program on national, state and municipal lands. Legislation to create the program was introduced by FDR to the 73rd United States Congress on March 21, 1933, and the Emergency Conservation Work Act, as it was known, was signed into law on March 31, 1933.
The CCC became one of the most popular New Deal programs among the general public and operated in every U.S. state and the territories of Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Members lived in camps, wore uniforms, and lived under quasi-military discipline. At the time of entry, 70% of enrollees were malnourished and poorly clothed. Very few had more than a year of high school education; few had work experience beyond occasional odd jobs. The peace was maintained by the threat of "dishonorable discharge." There were no reported revolts or strikes.
The total of 200,000 black enrollees were entirely segregated after 1935 but received equal pay and housing. Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes pressured Director Robert Fechner to appoint blacks to supervisory positions such as education directors in the 143 segregated camps. The separate Indian Division was a major relief force for Native Americans.
Initially, the CCC was limited to young men age 18 to 25 whose fathers were on relief. Average enrollees were ages 18-19. Two exceptions to the age limits were veterans and Indians, who had a special CCC program and their own camps. In 1937, Congress changed the age limits to 17 to 28 years old and dropped the requirement that enrollees be on relief.
Although the CCC was probably the most popular New Deal program, it never became a permanent agency. The last extension passed by Congress was in 1939. The CCC program continued to be reduced in operations as the Depression waned and employment opportunities improved. Also fewer eligible young men were available after the draft commenced in 1940. Beginning in May 1940, as war raged in Europe, the program began a shift toward national defense and forest protection. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 all federal programs were now focused on the war effort. The CCC disbanded one year earlier than planned, as the 77th United States Congress ceased funding, causing it to formally conclude operations at the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 1942. Liquidation of the CCC was ordered by Congress by Labor-Federal Security Appropriation Act (56 Stat. 569) on July 2, 1942; and virtually completed on June 30, 1943. Liquidation appropriations for the CCC continued through April 20, 1948.
No special restrictions unless otherwise specified.
Copyright is in the public domain unless otherwise specified. We reserve the right to restrict reproduction of materials due to preservation concerns.
Webster M. Pidgeon Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) papers, 2000-55, Rhode Island State Archives.
The Webster M. Pidgeon Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) papers include photographs, clippings and convention memorabilia related to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Specific items of interest include a photograph album of images from Burlingame Camp SP-2 at Watchaug Pond, Westerly, RI and a photographs album showing views of the building of the Alaska Highway, 1942.
The collection was donated by Walter Pidgeon who was a recruit at the Burlingame Camp in Westerly RI and the original owner of the records. One photograph previously belonged to Frank Fields of 141 Co. CCC, Charlestown, RI.
The Webster M. Pidgeon Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) papers are arranged into the following series:
Donated by Webster M. Pidgeon, 158 Webster Avenue, Providence, RI, 02909 on December 4, 2000.
This series primarily consists of materials related to the National Association of Civilian Conservation Corps Alumni including a copy of the Rhode Island Temporary Charter Certificate, souvenir programs from national conventions and meeting packets. The series also includes press clippings and a CCC recruits' hat.
Charter NACCA (National Association of Civilian Conservation Corps Alumni for the Rhode Island Yankee Chapter No. 109 located in Rhode Island.
Includes photographs
National Association of CCC Alumni, Eighth Biennial Convention Program, July 15-22, 1999 at the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland.
National Association of CCC Alumni, Sixth Biennial Convention Program, September 11-15, 1989 in Dayton, Ohio
1999 National Convention/Reunion of the NACCC Alumni, August 30-31, September 1, 1999 in Mystic CT, 06355
NACCCA Journal, Vol. 22, Nos. 9 - 12, Vol. 23, Nos. 1-4 (1999-2000)
Civilian Conservation Corps Official Annual 1937 (Third C.C.C. District, First Corp Area) - District Headquarters, Fort Devens, Massachusetts. Includes clipping from the South County Independent, August 6, 1998 - The CCC Built Men and Planted Self-Respect.
CCC recruits’ hat, WWI army wool material, forest green. Emblem is forest green on yellow.
Clippings, 1993, Providence Journal, July 16, Friday CCC Vets Call for Rebirth.
Copy of Map of Charleston reproduced from the Beers Atlas, 1870.
Includes three photograph albums.
Photograph Album - - mixed photographs, black and white and color, Polaroid's, photos of the period [1937?] of the Rhode Island Beach Pond Camp SP (State Park)-1, 1186 Company CCC- in magnetic album -views of the camp and includes photographs of signs at other sites. Includes 1999 membership list from the NACCCA Yankee Chapter 109. 1 album, 39 photographs
Photograph Album of Frank Fields, 141 Co. CCC, Charlestown, RI - many from Burlingame Camp SP-2, Watchaug Pond, Westerly RI, 1936 - [1938]. Includes a few images showing the destruction of the 1938 Hurricane in Westerly. 1 album, 68 black-and-white photographs.
Photograph Album of Webster Pidgeon - shows black and white views of Alaska and the building of the Alaska Highway (Alcan Project) 1942. Includes booklet - The Alaska Highway: A Saga of the North, 1943. 1 album, 167 black-and-white photographs.