Iron County Museum Hosts Bill Jamerson June 3

Escanaba based author/songwriter Bill Jamerson will present a music and storytelling program about the Civilian Conservation Corps at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 3, at the Iron County Museum.
Dressed in uniform, Jamerson will tell stories, read excerpts from his book, show a short video from his PBS film and perform original songs with his guitar. Jamerson has performed at CCC reunions around the country and at dozens of CCC built national and state parks.
“The presentations are always as entertaining as they are important (and) as honest as they are fun,” said Audrey Ridolphi, the program coordinator for the museum.
The doors will open at 6 p.m. and those attending are invited to bring CCC photos and memorabilia along with their stories and memories to share.
Jamerson’s presentation will begin at 7 p.m. An admission donation of $5 per person is requested; children under 12 are admitted free.  Refreshments will be served following the program.
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a federal works program created by President Franklin Roosevelt during the Great Depression. From 1933-1941, more than 102,000 men between the ages of 17 and 25 years of age enlisted in Michigan.  The enrollees planted over 485 million trees, fought forest fires, built hundreds of dams and bridges, constructed over 2,400 miles of roads, and built state parks including Bewabic in Iron County.
Gibbs City Camp near Iron River ranked near the top for education facilities and training with its own mechanical drawing room, wood turning, auto mechanics and handicrafts. More than 108 men and a half dozen officers from the camp were sent to Isle Royale to fight the fire of 1936.
The CCC also built and ran the fish hatcheries in the Upper Peninsula. The camps not only revitalized our natural resources but also turned the boys into men by teaching them discipline and work skills.

General.