Backbone’s CCC Museum Open for Season

As the camping season and outdoors seasons are underway, more and more visitors are coming to the state’s oldest state park. In amongst the many reasons to enjoy Backbone State Park is the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, now open. Volunteer John Richmond explains briefly the storied history of the CCC and Backbone.

Organizers of the State Park had the “shovel ready” project ready to go when they presented it to the federal government, making the fed’s decision easy to move forward. At the time the project began, the land that we know now as a densely forested area was clear cut by previous landowners. Thousands of trees were planted, along with a number of structures that are still in use today.

The Museum is open to the public through the summer season  from 12 to 4 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Lynn Hettinger, who grew up on Backbone as her father was a past Park Manager, said she was surprised at just how many people came last year to learn the Backbone story.

 Hettinger said last year taught her something as well.

The CCC Museum can be found near the west park entrance, also referred to as the Lamont entrance. There is no charge for admission. Group tours can be scheduled through Park Manager Nate Detrich at 563-924-2527.