New exhibit puts impact of Civilian Conservation Corps on display

CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS 50th Anniversary of the Organization of Roosevelt's Tree Army Official First Day Cover

A new pop-up exhibit is coming to Legislative Hall in Dover telling the story of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Delaware.

The CCC was created in the 1930s by then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide jobs in the midst of the Great Depression. In Delaware, hundreds of young men were put to work on projects aimed at addressing erosion, flooding, mosquito control, and more.

The exhibit at Legislative Hall includes memorabilia from the CCC’s work, such as clothing and tools used by “Roosevelt’s Tree Army” as they worked in the First State, as well as paintings created by Jack Lewis, a famous Delaware artist, during his time as a CCC enlistee. Discover the impact left by these young men through photos and letters while reflecting on the long-term impact of the work of the CCC crews while visiting the state’s capitol building.

An art work by Jack Lewis that depicts men working in water among trees.

The exhibit, which opens in late July and runs through Summer 2025, is located inside Legislative Hall, across from the accessible entry and under the main stairs.

To learn more about the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs historic collections and active exhibits, visit history.delaware.gov/collections.

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