CCC Statue Dedication - Lacey Keosauqua State Park

CCC Worker Statue introduces Iowans to CCC heritage across the state.

As enrollees struggled with the hard labor associated with renewing America's natural resources, they were grateful to have "three hots and a cot". With one seedling, or one stone, or one shovel of soil, they were building the infrastructure for the national recreational and conservation systems that we enjoy today. As they worked, we wonder if they would have thought that monuments would be built to honor the daily labor that became so essential to their well being.

You might be interested in reading some of the oral history interviews from several of the Iowa CCC participants. You will find them here.

Monuments tell a story and are a long term exhibit that can be meaningful to many generations. The CCC Worker Statue is a monument to the builders of modern conservation. One facet of the national CCC interpretive campaign is the goal to have one bronze CCC Worker Statue in each state.

The effort in Iowa was led by the Iowa Hawkeye Chapter of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Iowa Hawkeye Chapter Legacy is the only chapter in Iowa at this time but they are hoping that CCC legacy will have more chapters and would like to see other statues at parks here in Iowa. For more information about the Iowa Hawkeye Chapter contact Sharon Ewing, President Iowa Hawkeye Chapter CCC Legacy at 319-931-7307.

Put it on your calendar!

July 31, 2010, Keosauqua - Join the "Friends of Lacey" and the Iowa Hawkeye Chapter of the Civilian Conservation Corps at Lacey Keosauqua State Park at 10:00 am for the placement of the first statue in Iowa honoring the men of the Civilian Conservation Corp. This will be held at the J-40 entrance of Lacey Keosauqua State Park.

Van Buren County - Scenic Drive Festival

Beautiful fall foliage will abound as visitors experience the Villages of Van Buren’s Scenic Drive Festival, Oct. 10-11.

Activities are scheduled at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park and in all 12 villages: Birmingham, Douds, Selma, Lebanon, Milton, Cantril, Farmington, Bonaparte, Bentonsport, Stockport, Keosauqua, and new this year, Mt. Sterling.

Lacey-Keosauqua State Park will again be hosting a pre-1840’s Buckskinners Rendezvous Camp to be held at Ely Ford on Saturday and Sunday. They will showcase period camping and skills, knife and hawk throwing demonstrations, a candy cannon, rope making, black powder shooting, basket making, period trade goods, a black smith, and food concession (fry bread available).

The DNR will also have exhibit booths set up.

On Sunday, the Friends of Lacey and Keosauqua Chamber of Commerce will host a 5K Run/2 Mile Trail Walk starting at 9 a.m. at the Lodge. There is a $15.00 pre-registration or $20.00 registration (day of) fee for this event.

Follow the marked “Scenic Drive” signs to each of the historic villages. There is no admission fee.

Activities will include arts, crafts, flea markets, garage sales, wine tasting/sales, Native American Pow Wow, buckskinners and family fun.

New events are the Fall Festival Rodeo at the Van Buren County Fairgrounds in Keosauqua and homemade Amish breakfast in Lebanon. Mt. Sterling’s activities include chainsaw carvers, demonstrations, tractor show, street dance and more.

Download a free brochure and map, or call 800-868-7822.