Olmsted County Fair CCC exhibit and Blacksmith Shop Demonstration
To provide educational opportunities for fair visitors to learn about the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in southern Minnesota. Between 1933 and 1939, the Olmsted County Fairgrounds was home to the regional headquarters of the CCC company 1774-V. The fair will create two exhibits documenting the living conditions of CCC and WPA workers, and the long-term impact of both programs. Blacksmith demonstrations will also take place at the fairgrounds to allow a glimpse of an essential trade during the Depression era that also supported this camp’s operations.
These amounts are appropriated to the commissioner of agriculture for grants to county agricultural societies to enhance arts access and education and to preserve and promote Minnesota's history and cultural heritage as embodied in its county fairs. The grants shall be in addition to the aid distributed to county agricultural societies under Minnesota Statutes, section 38.02. The commissioner shall award grants as follows: (1) $700,000 each year distributed in equal amounts to each of the state's county fairs to enhance arts access and education and to preserve and promote Minnesota's history and cultural heritage