The demise of this 'museum' is a direct result of the dwindling membership of the CCC alumni organization and it's purpose to serve the CCC Alumni. The so-called 'museum' was something that just 'happened' over the years as Alumni wished to donate memorabilia to have available to the public.

The organization operated out of the Jefferson Barracks building as a headquarters for the Alumni association and had displays there but never operated as a full-fledged museum. The organization -rather than fold, has reformed as the "Civilian Conservation Corps Legacy" - based in Edinburg, VA. It's re-formed mission is as an educational organization.

The purpose of the original organization - as a resource for CCC Alumni is fading fast as most of the members are deceased and the remainder are among the most elderly of the population. Through the early existence of this organization - the membership was 'closed' -it was for CCC Alumni and then later (porbably too late), membership was open to relatives of CCC Alumni and only in the past few years...open to anyone who was interested in preserving the legacy of the C's.

The organization never changed it's mission and planned for the future - except for opening it's membership and allowing non-alumni to hold office. This is how I became President of a local chapter of the CCC Alumni. Everything -including the membership base has been transferred to the newly reformed organization. The collections - much went to the Smithsonian.

CCC Museums have been a natural towards preserving the legacy of the CCC. It is extremely relevant! I really need to explain the difference here between the CCC alumni organization and the museums that have been established...as they have mainly because of the hardwork of CCC alumni in local areas. And again, there really wasn't a museum in St. Louis...just some displays and CCC alumni would bring their memorabilia there when they would visit. At one time, much memorabilia had been stored in a basement and had gotten ruined...and then it was thrown out!!! There was no assessment, no attempt to salvage/conserve. Collections since then, were better cared for.

My experience with the public in the CCC Museum I worked at (3 seasons and as a volunteer from 2000-2007) had been very positive. The younger generation in particular - found it to be interesting/fascinating and they were extremely enthusiastic. An important part of our Country's and each State's history and at many levels as a depression-era program.

There is a lot of mis-information, misconceptions about the CCC and I spent hours and hours researching the CCC. For instance, (and this caught on all over the web) there has been a reference to the "Emergency Conservation Work Act" -entitled as the Act of Congress that authorized FDR to create a civilian conservation corps (not THE Civilian Conservation Corps). This is NOT the title of that Act of Congress.

When I first was learning about the CCC - I knew there was more to it than what I was hearing. And as a researcher - I knew a lot of it didn't make sense and that there were more interesting, relevent, etc., stories than what is public knowledge. So much was being mis-interpreted and after my research... I found accurate info that was much, much more fascinating than what was previously known (or fogotten, mis-interpreted).

Back to the Jefferson Headquarters -over the years I had passed along info @IMLS grants and other resources...but the Alumni weren't interested in taking the time. There was no dedicated paid staff - no knowledgable museum professionals. And for the repository - they did spend some time on this...but the work wasn't done properly.

As for the CCC Museums that are being established in State Parks/Forests - some are properly/professionally operated and others not. An example of one that is...Michigan's CCC Museum in Roscommon. The building is a replica barracks and the Park's supervisor is a trained historian/museum professional. This isn't the only site he's responsible for however, and I don't know how he does it all!!!

I have done about all I can for the local CCC Museum here in CT. Because I had not been hired in a full-time, permanent position...it's just impossible for me to do everything as a volunteer or seasonal employee with little or no help. When I was a full-time, seasonal...I did train and supervise volunteers. The past 2 seasons...I wasn't able to do that as a p/t employee. AS it was - I went well above and beyond the duties required of a seasonal interpretive guide and was able to provide a wide-range of professional services...on the cheap at that!

It's too bad that the local/county in St. Louis wasn't in a position to establish a museum in the Jefferson Barracks building. I tried as much as I could from my end, to encourage the Alumni association to apply for grants, etc., but they didn't. The colletions they had - were from all over the country and I thought that donating them to the Smithsonian was the right decision...however, no consideration was given to existing CCC Museums.

Pam

-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Fields <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Mon, 28 Jul 2008 1:46 pm
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Conservation Corps alumni museum is closing in St. Louis

Although it is sad to see a museum fade away, isn't it sadder to see one linger on with no apparent purpose? In a time when we have museum bloat, that is we are over-served with museums in some areas, isn't it refreshing to see a board decide to close up shop rather than trying to serve a need that no longer exists? I think we will see more of this in the future as some of the museums we have today see their constituency groups age and die, with little interest from those who follow them. It is similar to a veterans groups limiting membership to a particular war. What happens when all the veterans die? Do you change missions, or go gracefully into the night? In museums, what happens when no one care about, say, Route 66, or the Lincoln Highway, because all those who knew it have died. We may argue that we need to commemorate it, but then how many museums do you need? A quick Internet search shows at least 6 museums dedicated to Route 66 alone (the Lincoln Highway has multiple museums as well). Someday, some of these museums will face this dilemma. Other specific interest museums will face this scenario too.  
 
How many museums plan in advance for the time when they may cease to exist? The philanthropic pie is only so big, and some will go hungry.  Kudos for the folks who  can make the choice to close before their hands are forced.
 

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