The University of Massachusetts Amherst
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Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.)

Civilian Conservation Corps in Massachusetts Photograph Collection

ca.1930-1939
1 box 0.5 linear feet
Call no.: PH 015

Relief program established for unemployed men by President Franklin D. Roosevelt whose main work in Massachusetts through the 1930s and early 1940s was tree planting, fire fighting, insect control, and tree and plant disease control. Contains photographs arranged alphabetically by forest name that depict road building, tree planting, and other developments in the state forests. Includes some images of workers.

Background on Civilian Conservation Corps

The Emergency Conservation Work (March 31, 1933 – Jan. 1, 1942; renamed, Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937) was just one of the many relief programs established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to aid in the effort to curb rising unemployment and to lift the “spiritual” morale of the country. Rather than create an autonomous governing agency, Roosevelt used the existing departments of War, Agriculture, Interior, and Labor and established an Advisory Council, consisting of representatives from each of these departments. The U.S. Army oversaw the Emergency Conservation Work and Civilian Conservation Corps camps established by the Council.

In Massachusetts the main work accomplished was in tree planting, fire fighting, and tree and plant disease and insect control, although several recreational facilities were also built in the forests and parks. Enrollment in Massachusetts exceeded 99,500 men. An average of 28 camps a year were operated with a total financial obligation within the state of more than $45,100,000. The CCC ceased conservation work on January 1, 1942 as more and more men enlisted into military service for World War II.

Contents of Collection

The Archives and Manuscripts collection consists of
photographs arranged alphabetically by forest name.

dingbat for decoration

Inventory of Collection
Beartown Forest Box 1: 1
Brimfield State Forest Box 1: 2
Chester State Forest Box 1: 3
Daughters of the American Revolution
Forest
Box 1: 4
Erving State Forest Box 1: 5
Foxborough State Forest Box 1: 6
Granville State Forest Box 1: 7
Harold Parker State Forest Box 1: 8
Leominster State Forest Box 1: 9
Martha’s Vineyard Forest Box 1: 10
Mohawk Trail Forest Box 1: 11
Monroe State Forest Box 1: 12
Mount Greylock Forest Box 1: 13
Myles Standish Box 1: 14
Oakham State Forest Box 1: 15
October Mountain Box 1: 16
Otis State Forest Box 1: 17
Otter River State Forest Box 1: 18
Pittsfield Forest Box 1: 19
Sandisfield State Forest Box 1: 20
Shawme State Forest Box 1: 21
Spencer Forest Box 1: 22
Wendell State Forest Box 1: 23
Willard Brook Box 1: 24
Windsor Box 1: 25
Miscellaneous Box 1: 26
dingbat for decoration
Provenance

Acquired from Brayton Wilson, 1987.

Processing Information

Processed by Martha Grier-Deen, June 1987.

Acknowledgments

Encoding funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Copyright and Use (More informationConnect to publication information)

Cite as: Civilian Conservation Corps in Massachusetts Photograph Collection (MS 160). Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries.

Subjects

Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.)--Massachusetts--HistoryCivilian Conservation Corps (U.S.)--PhotographsForest roads--Massachusetts--Design and construction--PhotographsForests and forestry--Massachusetts--PhotographsNew Deal, 1933-1939--Massachusetts--HistoryTree planting--Massachusetts--Photographs

Contributors

Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.)

Types of material

Photographs