Fort Valley in Shenandoah County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Robert Fechner Memorial Forest
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 12, 2013
1. Robert Fechner Memorial Forest Marker
Inscription.
Robert Fechner Memorial Forest. . "By virtue of the authority vested in me as president of the United States...the Massanutten Unit of George Washington National Forest is hereby designated as the Robert Fechner Memorial Forest in honor of Robert Fechner, the first director of the Civilian Conservation Corps.", In March 1933, newly elected, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt faced national unemployment of 25%. Working quickly, Congress passed the Emergency Conservation Work legislation on March 31, 1933. One of the programs created from his legislation would later be called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This organization would work "to preserve our precious natural resources and, even more important, as a moral and spiritual boon to needy young Americans..." (FDR, 1933), President Roosevelt chose Robert Fechner, an experienced and respected labor leader to organize and run this first new Deal Agency. Though Mr. Fechner knew little about conservation, his work in labor and industrial management provided him the administrative skills needed for his new position. His reputation for fairness, tact and patience greatly impressed President Roosevelt., Under Robert Fechner's guidance, almost 2.4 million youths worked in the CCC to rehabilitate our nation's natural resources and learn much needed job skills. Fechner remained as director until his untimely death in 1939., In 1940, the Forest Service proposed that the Massanuttan Unit including Camp Roosevelt, be established as a monument to honor the work of Robert Fechner., The Secretary of Agriculture agreed and recommended that the Massanutten Unit be designated as the Robert Fechner Memorial Forest., On February 5, 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt proclaimed this by Executive order No. 86731.
"By virtue of the authority vested in me as president of the United States...the Massanutten Unit of George Washington National Forest is hereby designated as the Robert Fechner Memorial Forest in honor of Robert Fechner, the first director of the Civilian Conservation Corps."
In March 1933, newly elected, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt faced national unemployment of 25%. Working quickly, Congress passed the Emergency Conservation Work legislation on March 31, 1933. One of the programs created from his legislation would later be called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This organization would work "to preserve our precious natural resources and, even more important, as a moral and spiritual boon to needy young Americans..." (FDR, 1933)
President Roosevelt chose Robert Fechner, an experienced and respected labor leader to organize and run this first new Deal Agency. Though Mr. Fechner knew little about conservation, his work in labor and industrial management provided him the administrative skills needed for his new position. His reputation for fairness, tact and patience greatly impressed President Roosevelt.
Under Robert Fechner's guidance, almost 2.4 million youths worked in the CCC to rehabilitate our nation's natural resources and learn much needed job skills. Fechner remained as director
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until his untimely death in 1939.
In 1940, the Forest Service proposed that the Massanuttan Unit including Camp Roosevelt, be established as a monument to honor the work of Robert Fechner.
The Secretary of Agriculture agreed and recommended that the Massanutten Unit be designated as the Robert Fechner Memorial Forest.
On February 5, 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt proclaimed this by Executive order No. 86731.
Location. 38° 43.807′ N, 78° 31.042′ W. Marker is in Fort Valley, Virginia, in Shenandoah County. Marker can be reached from Camp Roosevelt Road (Virginia Route 675) south of Chrisman Hollow Road (Virginia Route 211), on the left when traveling south. Located in Camp Roosevelt Recreation Area in the George Washington National Forest. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Valley VA 22652, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow
Director, CCC 1933-1939 Close-up of photo on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 12, 2013
4. Inspection
CCC Director Robert Fechner, standing right, joined Camp Roosevelt, NF-1 Camp Commander, Captain Henry B. Wilkinson in an inspection of America's first CCC camp on May 16, 1933,
Close-up of photo on marker (Civilian Conservation Corps Legacy)
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 12, 2013
5. The Spade is Mightier Than the Sword
"The spade is mightier than the sword and a better weapon." Robert Fechner, Director,Civilian Conservation Corps February 6, 1939, Time Magazine.
Close-up of map on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, May 12, 2013
6. US Forest Service, Department of Agriculture
Close-up of seal on marker
Photographed By Bradley Owen, September 30, 2023
7. Robert Fechner Memorial Plaque
In memory of Robert Fechner
1876-1939
Director, CCC
1933-1939
Marker is located at Herrington Manor State Park, Oakland, Maryland.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 666 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 24, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 7. submitted on September 30, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.