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FL Talks: The Civilian Conservation Corps in FL (Online)

State Parks and More with David Schmidt

This informative program presents an overview of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the projects, from the Keys to Panhandle, that were accomplished during this historic period.

In his book, Rightful Heritage, Douglas Brinkley concludes that "few [New Deal] programs would shine brighter" than the CCC. During the presence of the CCC in Florida, from 1933 until 1942, there were over 70 camps around the state with a total of just under 50,000 young men working on projects. 

David Schmidt is currently curator of the State of Florida Civilian Conservation Corps Museum at Highland Hammock State Park in Sebring. Prior to retiring to Florida in 2015, he spent 37 years working with special needs students and teaching United States history and Geography. Schmidt holds a double Masters degree from Ball State University in Special Education and United States History. He also studied at Michigan State University, Indiana University and Bowling Green State University and spent two summers doing research at FDR Presidential Library in Hyde Park, NY. While teaching, Schmidt spent over 30 years as a trainer and lecturer on special education issues through his position as chairman of the Indiana State Special Education Advisory Council and as vice-president and secretary of the ARC of Indiana.

His addition program offerings include: "Florida's WPA Murals," “FDR's WPA Projects in Florida,” “The Forgotten Legacy of the New Deal,” “FDR: Tree Farmer - the Beginnings of the CCC,” “ Charles Robert Knight - The Artist who saw through Time,” and “Legacy of Happenstance: The Roeblings and the Archbolds.”

Additional vita information can be found in Who’s Who in America.

Funding for this program was provided through a grant from the Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this (publication) (program) (exhibition) (website) do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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