Brecksville Nature Center
Project type: Lodges, Ranger Stations and Visitor Centers, Parks and recreation
New Deal Agencies: Works Progress Administration (WPA)
Completed: 1939
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Description
“Brecksville Nature Center was created in 1939 by Works Progress Administration craftsmen. Excellent examples of chestnut carpentry with curved walnut leaves, wrought iron work and native stones grace the building inside and out.”
Source notes
http://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/Main/Facilities/Brecksville-Nature-Center-1.aspx
Project originally submitted by Evan Kalish on September 14, 2015.
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Like the cabin in Allegeny Park this is a public use of architecture which I like. It is simple, well done and well shaped. Interesting that my area should have more than one similarity to New York’s state park in Allegeny. Brecksville has a nature center which, like the Headquarters and Visitors Center, Allegeny park near Salamanca, NY. was made by the Civilian Conservation Corps, (CCC) a program for young men that was an aid to employment and all of us, during the Depression (1932-42). The aesthetic of both is very similar and I like it very much. Wood and stone are mixed and it is well made and sturdy. The one in Brecksville has some hand carved local leaves on the inside structure entirely made of American Chestnut, a tree that was common when the nature center was made but now is nearly extinct. It is an amazing place. So is the Headquarters/visitor’s center in Allegeny, whch is a whole lot bigger and wonderfully well made. The interior is also wood and very well done. We have camped there as well as eaten at the Headquarters, and enjoyed their nature exhibits. The aesthetic of the CCC is something I like and it should be started again. The young men who comprised this did great work, learned alot and much of the work they did still exists and serves us well, even making some of us happy and proud of what they did. It was a good program and should be continued.