History of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Westmoreland County Lecture

the History of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Westmoreland County at the AT Johnson Museum was an evening of interesting facts and first hand accounts. of the history, culture, and heritage of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Montross, Virginia – or more specifically, at Westmoreland State Park and nearby historical sites such as George Washington’s Birthplace.

To Quote Ranger Liam’s CCC Talk, “When we walk through this park, we cannot help but feel the energy and effort, the sweat and time, that these men put into building this park, enabling so many visitors to come here to this special place, and enjoy nature, almost ninety years after the C.C.C. left.”

The Civilian Conservation Corps was instrumental in shaping America’s beloved outdoor recreation system. Westmoreland State Park is one of six original Virginia State Parks developed by the CCC, standing as a living tribute to the hard work, discipline, and camaraderie of the young men who built it. Through their labor and perseverance, they left behind a legacy of conservation and public enjoyment that continues to inspire nearly a century later.

History of the Civilian Conservation Corps

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was one of the most successful programs launched under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal during the Great Depression. Established in 1933, the CCC was designed to provide jobs, restore hope, and improve the nation’s natural resources at a time when unemployment and poverty were at record highs.

Purpose and Mission

The program recruited young, unemployed men—often between the ages of 18 and 25—giving them work, housing, food, and a small paycheck. In return, these “CCC boys,” as they were often called, worked on a wide range of conservation and public works projects:

• Building state and national parks

• Planting trees and restoring forests

• Fighting soil erosion

• Developing trails, roads, cabins, and recreational facilities

• Conserving historic sites and landmarks

Their work not only revitalized America’s landscapes but also laid the foundation for the modern state and national park systems we enjoy today.