Events Lacey Parks Events

“You Got the Tape On?” Washington State Parks’ Black Civilian Conservation Corps Enrollees 
March 13 | 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Lacey,
WA, USA

Mar. 13, 2025 6:30 pm Mar. 13, 2025 7:30 pm America/Los_Angeles Lacey Parks Events Join the Lacey Museum for our March HistoryTalks! Sam Wotipka, Exhibit Program Coordinator for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, will trace the Depression-era expansion of Washington’s state park system and contextualize the contributions and experiences of the Black Civilian Conservation Corps workers. Hybrid Format: Come in person to Lacey City Hall, Council Chambers or join online. Registration required for online attendance only. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Lacey City Hall, Council Chambers
Register to join online event

Hybrid Format: Come in person to Lacey City Hall, Council Chambers or join online. Registration required for online attendance only. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Program Description

Millersylvania and Rainbow Falls are among a dozen state parks in Washington that were developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the Great Depression. In 1934, Black enrollees were deployed to these two parks, forming integrated CCC companies that were both uncommon and short-lived nationally. This presentation will trace the Depression-era expansion of Washington’s state park system and contextualize the contributions and experiences of the Black CCC workers.  

Speaker

Sam Wotipka is the Exhibit Program Coordinator for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. He holds an MSc in Science Writing from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In addition to his work in Washington’s state parks, Sam’s writing has appeared in the High Country Newsthe OregonianCrosscut, and New Scientist.