Tyrone Brandyburg Takes the Helm at Harpers Ferry NHP
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THE “Junction of the Potomac Spring 2017 and Shenandoah, Virginia,” by William Roberts, dating Page 1 - Deborah Piscitelli from 1808-1809. This is one receives James V. Murfin of the oldest known prints Award of Harpers Ferry. In 1783, Page 2 - Doug Perks recog- Thomas Jefferson declared nized for preserving history that this view was “worth a Page 3 - Upcoming Storer voyage across the Atlantic.” College commemorative (Museum of Early Southern events Decorative Arts, Winston- Salem, North Carolina) Tyrone Brandyburg Takes the Helm at Harpers Ferry NHP THE ASSOCIATION IS THRILLED TO National Historic Site, AL, welcome Tyrone Brandyburg, a where he first worked as a lead 32-year veteran of the National interpretive park ranger and Park Service (NPS), as the new museum specialist, and later superintendent of Harpers Fer- returned as chief of resource ry National Historical Park. He education and interpretation. was most recently the superin- Additionally, Brandyburg has tendent of Carl Sandburg Home served as chief ranger at Booker National Historic Site in North T. Washington National Mon- Carolina. ument in Hardy, VA, chief of Regional NPS Director Bob interpretation at Brown v. Board Vogel said, “[Brandyburg] has a of Education National Historic great reputation as a leader and Site, in Topeka, KS, and inter- motivator, and his passion for Harpers Ferry NHP Superintendent Tyrone Brandyburg. pretive ranger in the Sugar- making history relevant to mod- lands District of Great Smoky ern society will support the great work and views of the site. I look forward Mountains National Park. He began his happening at Harpers Ferry National to working with the park partners and NPS career in college as a co-op student Historical Park.” the community to continue to tell the at Fort Sumter National Monument in “I am truly honored to have been story of John Brown, Storer College and Charleston, SC. selected as the new superintendent and the 1,000 years of human history in the Brandyburg received his bachelor’s member of the team at Harpers Ferry region.” degree in American history and educa- National Historical Park,” Brandyburg Prior to his tenure at Carl Sand- tion from South Carolina State Univer- said. “I am thrilled to have the opportu- burg Home NHS, Brandyburg served sity in Orangeburg, SC, and received nity to work with the talented employ- six years as superintendent of Moores a master’s degree in American history ees and volunteers to preserve the his- Creek National Battlefield, NC. He with an emphasis on African American toric structures, landscapes, collections also spent 12 years at Tuskegee Institute studies from Alabama State University. Deborah Piscitelli Receives James V. Murfin Award DEBORAH PISCITELLI, FORMER EXECUTIVE ance in Arlington, Virginia. The award tions. The award was presented to Ms. Director of the Harpers Ferry Park As- recognizes an individual who has made Piscitelli, who served as the Associa- sociation, was honored with the James a significant and lasting contribution to tion’s Executive Director from 1980 to V. Murfin Award at the 2017 Annual the partnership between the National 2016, by Julia Washburn, NPS Associate Conference of the Public Lands Alli- Park Service and Cooperating Associa- continued on Page 5 Harpers Ferry Park Association | 1 Doug Perks Recognized for Preserving History DOUG PERKS, LONG Charles Town Meth- time Harpers Ferry odist Church. We did Park Association volunteer service out of board member and Harpers Ferry during historian at the Jeffer- the centennial obser- son County Museum, vance of John Brown’s was recently rec- Raid, so I was there and ognized as a “West saw the whole thing. Virginia History From then on, I was Hero” by the West always very interested in The View is published by the Virginia Division of the deep history that we Harpers Ferry Park Asso- Culture and History. Doug Perks (left) with Whitney Richards, have here in Jefferson ciation (HFPA), an Official The award honors Operations Manager of the HFPA. County,” Perks said. National Park Cooperating his work through the Perks majored in Association that supports the years in preserving, dedication to the history of social studies at West mission of the National Park interpreting, and research- Shepherdstown and Jefferson Virginia University and re- Service. ing the history of Jefferson County. “Even though a lot of turned to the Eastern Panhan- County. The West Virginia people associate [Perks] with dle after he graduated to begin The Association operates the Division of Culture and Histo- Charles Town, he just knows his teaching career, which Park Bookshop in Harpers ry launched its West Virginia a lot about the whole county,” he stayed in until he retired Ferry NHP. Profits from sales History Day at the Legislature Finn said. “He taught history in 2007. He said the plethora are returned to the park to through the West Virginia at Jefferson High School for of local historic landmarks support inter pretive and edu- Archives and History Com- many years and I’m sure he provided him and his students cational programs to enhance mission in 1997. Each year, was kind and helpful to the with many opportunities to your visit. three people from across the students. He is an incredible learn outside the classroom. state are named “West Virginia resource.” You are invited to join this History Heroes.” According to Perks, his Reprinted from “‘Heroes’ unique organization and be a According to Elea- love affair with history began recognized for preserving histo- part of Harpers Ferry’s special nor Finn with the Historic at a young age. “I got the bug ry,” by Mary Stortstrom, The family. For more information Shepherdstown Commission, in 1959. I was a Boy Scout, our Martinsburg Journal, March call (304) 535-6881, e-mail us Perks was nominated for his troop was Troop 42 out of 6, 2017. at [email protected], or visit our website at www.harpers- NEW AT THE BOOKSHOP: ferryhistory.org. Civil War Battlefields: Walking the Trails of History EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Cathy Baldau WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF Chancellorsville, Gettysburg history with this stunning new to Shiloh, including the first OPERATIONS MANAGER volume that brings more than five national battlefield parks Whitney Richards thirty Civil War battlefields preserved by veterans in the EDITOR to life. Civil War Battlefields: 1890s. Each battlefield features Cathy Baldau Walking the Trails of History, extensive photos of the key GRAPHIC DESIGNER is published by Rizzoli, New sites and monuments, as well David T. Gilbert York, in partnership with the as beautiful landscapes and Civil War Trust. The author, historic archival photography. BOARD OF DIRECTORS David. T. Gilbert, is a Harpers The essays enable the reader James Silvia, President Ferry Park Association board to understand each battlefield Doug Perks, Vice President member and author of the from a strategic perspective— David T. Gilbert, Secretary Walker’s Guide to Harpers Bull Run” to Lee’s surrender its topography, geography, and Wayne Welty, Treasurer Ferry. The book’s Foreward at Appomattox Court House, military value—and guide the Patrice Flynn is written by Jeff Shaara, best the new book celebrates the reader on how best to tour the Carol Gallant known for his historical novels history and scenic beauty of grounds on foot. Cynthia Gayton about the Civil War, Gods and these hallowed grounds in The new book is now Jim Jenkins Generals and The Last Full a large-format, beautifully available in the Park Bookshop Bob Johnson Measure. produced volume. Explore (Hardcover | 336 pages | retail Suzanne Silvia From the “First Battle of battlefields from Antietam to $50.00, members $42.50). Ed Wheeless 2 | The View | Spring 2017 Upcoming Storer College Commemorative Events “SOME OF THESE STUDENTS HAVE A THRILL- the work of years in a single winter. With for college with no thought but to press ing history from the cradle of slavery a perseverance that would stagger many on.” —early Storer College teacher Anne to the throne of freedom. One of them young men, he has worked and studied, Dudley Bates on student Hamilton Keyes. came into the school as tall as he is now, till he is now a most successful teacher began with a primer, and accomplished and Christian worker, and is preparing Storer College photo by Eric Long. Schedule of Events They Made a Difference A History of “Anniversary Day” at Niagara Movement Pilgrimage to April 17-21 | 2 pm | Lower Town, John Storer College John Brown’s Fort Brown Museum, Allies for Freedom May 28 | 2 pm | Camp Hill August 20 | 8 am | Murphy-Cham- Room Walk the grounds of Storer College bers Farm and Curtis Freewill Baptist Join a park ranger for special National with a park ranger to trace the steps of Church Park Week programs which will con- the students, teachers, and trustees of Retrace the footsteps of the men and nect Harpers Ferry’s civil rights stories the school and learn how they cele- women of Niagara during this com- to other national park sites. brated graduation. memorative walk to the site of John Brown’s Fort in 1906. A 10am memo- The Search for Alexander Morrell 16th Annual Don Redman Jazz Heri- rial service will follow at the Curtis May 7 | 2 pm | Curtis Freewill Baptist tage Awards and Concert Freewill Baptist Church. Church June 24 | 6 pm | Camp Hill, Mather Is Reverend Alexander Morrell buried Training Center Lawn Revelations in Research, Storer Col- in Harpers Ferry, where he dedicated The event and concert commemorate lege Edition his life to Storer College? Find out Don Redman, the internationally September 16 | 2 pm | Lower Town, about the search for the good rever- acclaimed 1920 graduate of Storer John Brown Museum, Allies for Free- end’s final resting place.