The Friends, in cooperation with Letchworth State Park, will be holding a CCC Legacy Day on Saturday, August 5, 2017. The purpose of the event is to recognize and honor the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Park and to increase the public’s awareness in and appreciation for the Great Depression era program that helped lay the foundation for the modern park.
Please find below a schedule of the day’s events. All events and activities are free and open to the public. Please note that normal park entrance fees will be in effect.
Civilian Conservation Corps Legacy Day
Saturday August 5, 2017
8:30 – Hike to the 1936 CCC built lean-to. Meet at the Hogsback overlook parking lot.
10:00 – Tour of Gibsonville CCC Camp site including dedication ceremony for the CCC camp chimney. The chimney was recently restored through a Friends of Letchworth Park project. Photograph and stories from the camp will be shared and flowers will be laid in memory of the men who lived and worked at the Camp. Meet at the Gibsonville area located on the main park road between Cabin Area C and Highbanks Camping area.
11:00 – 3 PM Exhibits, Presentations, and Family Activities at CCC Built Octagon Shelter near the Nature Shop by Cabin Area B. (See details below).
11:30 – Raising of the Letchworth Commemorative CCC Flag at Memorial Flag Pole. The flag pole is located across from the Lower Falls Restaurant.
11:45 – 12:00 Remembrance Ceremony at CCC Statue, Lower Falls including Recognition of CCC Veterans and Families.
12:-1 PM Lunch on your own
12:45 PM – Cake and refreshments will be served to CCC Veterans and descendents of CCC members at the Octagon Shelter.
1:00- 2:00 PM CCC Mini-Talks at the Octagon Shelter. Short presentations on aspects of the Park’s CCC experience by Tom Cook and Paul Zielinski, followed by a talk by Martha Smith and Dr. Michael Schultz, members of the national CCC Legacy organization and authors of a new book on forty CCC members who were awarded with the Medal of Honor during World War II.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM – The story of the famous Lower Falls stone arch bridge built by the CCC will be told. Participants can either take a guided hike to Lower Falls Bridge or hear stories of the building of the bridge and the Lower Falls area from a nearby over-look.
3:30 – 5:00 PM Big Bend Camp Tour (Meet at Parade Grounds Parking Lot on the east side of the Park. Explore the remains of the camp’s main gate and several buildings.
Activities & Exhibits at the Octagon Shelter from 11:00 to 3 PM will include:
• CCC artifacts, photographs and camp plans
• Traveling Depression Era WPA Art Exhibit
• National CCC Legacy information table
• Family activities including coloring pages & puzzles
• Make your own CCC Shelter or cabin from Lincoln Logs
• Information table on the Excelsior Conservation Corps (ECC), a modern version of the CCC
• Friends of Letchworth information tables and items
The annual “We Can Take It Award” (based upon the CCC motto) will be available to everyone who participated in the Lean-to hike, the Gibsonville Chimney Dedication, Flag Raising & Remembrance Ceremony, The Mini Talks, the Lower Falls hike or walk, and the Big Bend Camp tour. The award consists of a certificate and pin.
Now in it’s 16th year! This is the main fundraising opportunity for the Friends of Letchworth State Park. Be sure to stop by and say hi to us, we aren’t hard to find as your concessionaire for the day!