USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center Photographs of Log Lodge Construction

Collection

Identifier: MS0470

Staff Only

Content Description

The USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center Photographs of Log Lodge Construction contain photographs, documents, and news clippings related to the construction of the Beltsville (Maryland) Agricultural Research Center (BARC) Visitor Center, also known as the Log Lodge.

Dates

Creation: Circa 1938-1940s

Conditions Governing Access

Contact Special Collections for access.

Organizational History

The USDA Beltsville (Maryland) Agricultural Research Center (BARC) Visitor Center was built between 1934 and 1937 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The building was modeled after lodges in Yellowstone National Park, and was popularly known as the Log Lodge. All logs and lumber used in the building came from trees growing on the BARC farm property. The Log Lodge was used for recreational purposes by the CCC until the corps was disbanded in 1942. After that, the lodge was converted into a cafeteria, and it continued in use for that purpose until 1985. It served as the BARC Visitor Center until 2011.