Guide to the Webster M. Pidgeon Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) papers , 1936-1999

(bulk 1936-1938, 1984-1986)


Rhode Island State Archives
Rhode Island State Archives
337 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-222-2353
Fax: 401-222-3199
email: statearchives@sos.ri.gov

Published in 2009

Collection Overview

Title: Webster M. Pidgeon Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) papers
Date range: 1936-1999, (bulk 1936-1938, 1984-1986)
Creator: Pidgeon, Walter M.
Extent: .75 cubic feet other
Abstract: The Webster M. Pidgeon Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) papers include photographs, clippings and convention memorabilia related to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
Language of materials: English
Repository: Rhode Island State Archives
Collection number: 2000-55

Scope & content

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.

Access Points

Subject Names Subject Organizations Subject Topics Subject Topics Document Types

Arrangement

The Webster M. Pidgeon Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) papers are arranged into the following series:

  • Series 1. Papers and Ephemera
  • Series 2. Photographs

Historical note

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.

Access & Use

Access to the collection: No special restrictions unless otherwise specified.
Use of the materials: Copyright is in the public domain unless otherwise specified. We reserve the right to restrict reproduction of materials due to preservation concerns.
Preferred citation: Webster M. Pidgeon Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) papers, 2000-55, Rhode Island State Archives.
Contact information: Rhode Island State Archives
Rhode Island State Archives
337 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-222-2353
Fax: 401-222-3199
email: statearchives@sos.ri.gov

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION  
Acquisition: Donated by Webster M. Pidgeon, 158 Webster Avenue, Providence, RI, 02909 on December 4, 2000.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID  
Author: Finding aid prepared by Kate Telford.
Encoding: Finding aid encoded by Kate Telford 2009 May 27
Descriptive rules: Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

Series 1. Papers and Ephemera
Box 1, Folder 1-13
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.

Container Description Date
Box 1, Folder 1 Temporary Charter Certificate
Contents Note: Charter NACCA (National Association of Civilian Conservation Corps Alumni for the Rhode Island Yankee Chapter No. 109 located in Rhode Island.

 1984 October 10
Box 1, Folder 2 CCC Souvenir Program Book of the 1985 National Convention in Little Rock, Arkansas
Contents Note: Includes photographs

 1985 September 23-27
Box 1, Folder 3 Brief History of the Civilian Conservation Corps (5th edition)
 1983 April
Box 1, Folder 4 National Association of CCC Alumni, Eighth Biennial Convention Program
Contents Note: National Association of CCC Alumni, Eighth Biennial Convention Program, July 15-22, 1999 at the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland.

 1999 July 15-22
Box 1, Folder 5 National Association of CCC Alumni, Sixth Biennial Convention Program
Contents Note: National Association of CCC Alumni, Sixth Biennial Convention Program, September 11-15, 1989 in Dayton, Ohio

 1989 September 11-15
Box 1, Folder 6 Americorps, National Civilian Conservation Corps Member Application Packet
 1993
Box 1, Folder 7 Sixth Biennial Convention meeting packet
 1989
Box 1, Folder 8 1999 National Convention/Reunion of the NACCC Alumni
Contents Note: 1999 National Convention/Reunion of the NACCC Alumni, August 30-31, September 1, 1999 in Mystic CT, 06355

 1999 August 30-1999 September 1
Box 1, Folder 9 NACCCA Journal
Contents Note: NACCCA Journal, Vol. 22, Nos. 9 - 12, Vol. 23, Nos. 1-4 (1999-2000)

1999-2000
Box 1, Folder 10 Civilian Conservation Corps Official Annual
Contents Note: 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.

1937, 1998
Box 1, Folder 11 CCC recruits’ hat
Contents Note: CCC recruits’ hat, WWI army wool material, forest green. Emblem is forest green on yellow.
Box 1, Folder 12 Clippings
Contents Note: Clippings, 1993, Providence Journal, July 16, Friday CCC Vets Call for Rebirth.

 1993
Box 1, Folder 13 Copy of Map of Charleston
Contents Note: Copy of Map of Charleston reproduced from the Beers Atlas, 1870.

 1870

Series 2. Photographs
Box 2, Folder 1-3
Includes three photograph albums.

Container Description Date
Box 2, Folder 1 Photograph Album
Contents Note: 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

 circa 1937
Box 2, Folder 2 Photograph Album of Frank Fields
Contents Note: 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.

 1936-1938
Box 2, Folder 3 Photograph Album of Webster Pidgeon
Contents Note: 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.

 1942-1943