History

The untold Black history of DC’s most treasured park — The U.S. National Arboretum

February 21, 2023

Subject

National Arboretum; DC; Parks; Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

Description

It is one of D.C.’s hidden treasures. Nearly 450 acres of Northeast D.C. is a tree park — The U.S. National Arboretum.

It was converted from farmland and forest in the 1930s and early 1940s by hundreds of young Black men from D.C. who were part of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

The current Arboretum Director, Dr. Richard Olsen, spoke with 7News about the piece of land where the CCC’s Camp Hamilton once stood.

“We had a large group of men that needed to be put to work during the depression, mainly local boys,” Dr. Olsen said.

Creator

by Sam Ford

Source

https://wjla.com/features/black-history-month/the-national-arboretum-dc-visit-must-see-location-treasure-park-garden-history-ccc-boys-great-depression-civilian-conservation-corps-eleanor-roosevelt-jobs-trees-flowers-building-contstruction-work

Publisher

wjla.com

File

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