News & Updates, Heritage / Roots Uncovered
News & Updates, Heritage / Roots Uncovered
Potter County, PA – A historic preservation effort is underway deep in the forests of Potter County, where a coalition of partners has come together to bring long-overdue recognition to the Bark Shanty Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp, one of Pennsylvania’s segregated CCC camps from the 1930s.
Established in 1935 and closed in 1941, Camp S-146, Company 2336 was one of the few all-African American CCC camps in the Commonwealth, created during a time when federal New Deal programs were racially segregated. Though these young men made significant contributions—constructing trails, roads, and park infrastructure across northern Pennsylvania and throughout the nation —their stories have remained largely absent from public memory.
Thanks to a collaborative regional initiative, those stories are now being brought to light.
A Regional Collaboration for Historical Justice
The Bark Shanty project is the result of an expansive, multi-partner collaboration involving:
Together, these partners have initiated a multi-phase archaeological and interpretive project to document, preserve, and share the history of this forgotten site. The initiative aims to highlight the role of African American enrollees in the CCC and bring inclusive storytelling to the forefront of Pennsylvania’s public lands heritage.
“This site holds enormous historical significance—not just for Potter County, but for our entire state,” said Holly Komonczi, Executive Director of the Lumber Heritage Region. “We are honored to help uncover and uplift the stories of these young Black men who labored to build the very parks and trails we still enjoy today.”
Youth at the Center of Discovery
A defining feature of the Bark Shanty project is the involvement of youth and emerging professionals. Anthropology students from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) have played a key role in the fieldwork—conducting archaeological research, historical mapping, and early-stage documentation of the site. Their contributions are helping piece together a fuller narrative of the camp’s daily life, layout, and cultural impact.
Joining them are members of the PA Outdoor Corps, a workforce development program that connects young adults to hands-on conservation and heritage work. Their participation in the site survey and clearing efforts has advanced the project while also providing meaningful career experience in public land stewardship.
“This project is an incredible example of experiential education and intergenerational learning,” said a representative from IUP. “Our students are not just studying history—they’re helping to restore it.”
Documenting the Bark Shanty CCC Camp Project
The Lumber Heritage Region has commissioned a series of videos and short features to showcase the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps, spotlight ongoing archaeological work at the Bark Shanty site, and celebrate the people and opportunities helping to preserve and carry forward this legacy for future generations.
This project was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Heritage Area Program, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.
Next Steps and Legacy Goals
Plans are underway for future interpretive signage, public education efforts, and continued archaeological study. The partners envision a site where visitors can walk through history, learning about the segregated CCC, the lives of its workers, and the ongoing effort to ensure diverse voices are represented in public memory.
The Bark Shanty CCC Camp project aligns strongly with America250PA goals of Preserve, Educate, and Celebrate, and will stand as a model for inclusive, place-based heritage conservation across rural Pennsylvania.
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