CCC 90th Anniversary Celebration

Event Details

The weekend of June 9–11, Spring Mill State Park hosts a celebration marking the 90th anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and its work at the park. The young men of the CCC played a vital role at Spring Mill, restoring an abandoned village into a thriving pioneer town with a functioning grist mill, distillery, tavern and blacksmith shop. They dug a lake and built bridges, roads and shelter houses, and in the process they learned important trades.

During the celebration, visitors to the park will have several opportunities to learn about the CCC and the work it did in Spring Mill and so many other parks across the country. The following are some of the activities.

Friday, June 9

• 6 p.m.: CCC History Hike—Join a tour guide on a 20-minute stroll through the Pioneer Village to hear about the impact the CCC had on the village’s restoration. Meet at Weaver’s Cabin.
• 6:30p.m.: Catered Dinner in the Grist Mill—Enjoy dinner and a presentation of CCC history and photos. Dinner costs $25, and preregistration is required. Contact Sheree Belt at 812.849.3534 or sbelt@dnr.in.gov.

Saturday, June 10

• 10 a.m.: A Walk with Wilbur—Join the granddaughter of one of Spring Mill’s CCC members for a stroll in the village to discover more about the daily life of the men who served in the CCC. Meet at the lamp post near the Pioneer Village parking lot.
• 1 p.m.: Camp Life—Meet at the Donaldson Cave parking lot to take a short stroll on the lawn where company 539 and 1536 once stood. The park will unveil a new CCC interpretive sign as part of the program.
• 2–4 p.m.: CCC Rollcall Experience in Pioneer Village—Find out what the CCC men are up to with live reenactors telling their story. Start near the Ordinary (concessions).
• 7 p.m.: CCC Kayak Trip—Join a kayak trip on Spring Mill Lake to hear about the work that the CCC did around the lake. Bring your own kayak or canoe or rent one (supplies are limited). Preregistration is required. Contact Sheree Belt at 812.849.3534 or sbelt@dnr.in.gov.

Sunday, June 11

• 10 a.m.: CCC History Hike—Join a tour guide on  a hike to see the many contributions the CCC made to Spring Mill State Park. The mile-long hike is rugged and lasts an hour. Meet at the Sycamore Shelter.
• 1 p.m.: CCC Recap and Salute—Meet at the Donaldson Cave parking lot or if raining at the Red Cross Cabin.
• 2–4 p.m.: Slideshow Presentation—Watch a presentation of historic CCC photos at the Red Cross Cabin.

For more information about the weekend’s events, visit www.friendsofspringmill.com or contact naturalist Sheree Belt at 812.849.3534 or sbelt@dnr.in.gov.

This program received support from an Indiana Humanities Action Grant.