A Grand Opening at Dayton Aviation CW Battlefield Latest Addition To
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Arrowhead Winter 2003 • Vol. 10-No. 1 The Newsletter of the Employees & Alumni Association of the National Park Service Published By Eastern National FROM THE DIRECTOR A Grand Opening at Dayton Aviation included NPS Director Fran Mainella; hope the holidays Lieutenant General Richard Reynolds, Iwere a season of joy, reflection and commander, Aeronautical Systems Cen anticipation for you ter for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base; and your families. I Ohio Representative David Hobson; am invigorated by Judge Walter Rice, chairman of the the opportunities Dayton Aviation Heritage Commission; 2003 brings each and Stephen Wright, great-grand- of us to care for and share America's nephew of Wilbur and Orville Wright. national parks. I also hope we always remember those who have The Huffman Prairie Flying Field died in the line of duty. In December, Interpretive Center kicked off Dayton, we were saddened by the loss of Ohio's Centennial of Flight celebration. Katmai ranger and pilot Tom O'Hara The center's exhibits will focus on the to an aviation accident. Wright brothers' development of the As you know, I want to nurture world's first practical airplane in 1904 and partnerships to help us fulfill our 1905, their subsequent successes and mission. Toward that goal, we will their return to the "flying field" from soon hire two new associate 1910 to 1915 to operate a school of avi U.S. Air Force photo directors—one for Partnerships, ation and to test the new planes being PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT: LIEUTENANT GENERAL REYNOLDS, General Lyles, Con Interpretation and Education, Vol produced by the Wright Company. The gressman Regula, Judge Rice, Secretary Norton, Stephen Wright, Congressman Hobson, unteers, and Outdoor Recreation exhibit gallery will also detail the transi Director Mainella and a representative for Governor Taft in front of the Wright Memorial fol and another for Visitor and lowing the grand opening ceremony for the Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center. tion of the Wright brothers' flying field Resource Protection or "Chief into Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ranger." If the new titles seem ayton Aviation Heritage NHP cel the Wright brothers' first powered establishing a living legacy of the Wright long, it is because we chose clarity ebrated the grand opening of the flight on Dec. 17, 2002. Secretary of brothers' accomplishments and demon over simplicity. I think it's important D Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpre the Interior Gale Norton presented the strating how air-force research has real that our friends and colleagues keynote address. Other dignitaries understand what these people do. tive Center and the 99th anniversary of ized their and other early aviators' goals. Our new chief ranger will tackle the tough visitor and resource pro tection issues required in these CW Battlefield Latest Addition to System times. The associate director for partnerships has a full agenda, too. ver a century's effort to save Civil tri-counties of Frederick, Shenandoah dent James Madison. The house has The help and support of our friends and Warren. remained virtually unchanged since it was is essential to park and program OWar sites in Virginia's Northern management and we've made a Shenandoah Valley was rewarded The NPS is authorized to acquire built in 1797. strong commitment to include recently when the bill creating Cedar the remaining property from willing Other important stories include that of them. I look forward to updating Creek and Belle Grove NHP, as the landowners to complete preservation of Native American sites, a pioneer French you on our upcoming partnership 388th and newest unit of the National the site. It may also purchase conserva and Indian War-era homestead, a planta conference in November. The new Park System, was signed into law by tion easements adjacent to the park tion built and run by African-American associate will set the course. Our President George W. Bush. boundary and acquire land outside the slaves and the role of caves and caverns in opportunities are limitless. The National Trust for Historic park's boundaries for visitor and admin and around Cedar Creek as part of the And, we have good examples of Preservation, Belle Grove Incorporated, istrative facilities. Underground Railroad. creative visionaries. Dayton Aviation the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation The Battle of Cedar Creek was a major The historical importance of the area National Historical Park and Wright and Shenandoah County Parks and victory for Union forces. It was the final first received national recognition in Brothers National Memorial recently Recreation already own nearly a third of clash of the 1864 Shenandoah Valley cam 1969 when it was designated a Nation launched the NPS's yearlong cele the land inside the park boundary. Each paign and a turning point in the Civil War. al Historic Landmark. It was later bration of the Centennial of Flight - will continue to own, operate and man The outcome of the battle is credited with included in the Shenandoah Valley Bat the 100th anniversary of the Wright age their sites within the park. The the ultimate re-election of President Lin tlefields National Historic District. brothers' landmark success at Kitty coln and for ending the career of Confed This is the second site added to the Sys Hawk. It was exciting to be there. I National Park Service will join with was also fortunate to help kickoff the these partner organizations to enhance erate General Jubal Early. tem in 2002. In late September, the Flight Corps of Discovery II, marking the and expand upon their ongoing inter General Philip Sheridan used the manor 93 National Memorial was created to 200th anniversary of the Lewis and pretation and preservation efforts. In house on Belle Grove Plantation as his honor those who gave their lives to thwart Clark expedition, at Monticello. addition, the park will work closely with headquarters during the battle. The house a planned attack on the Nation's Capital Corps II will show the triumphs and the neighboring gateway communities was built by Isaac Hite, a Revolutionary on Sept. 11, 2001. It is located at the travails of those early explorers. of Strasburg and Middletown and the War patriot married to the sister of Presi crash site in Somerset County, PA. We're also embarking on African American History Month, a time when we highlight the experiences and contributions of the African- The Path Toward Interpretive Excellence American community. The NPS is proud to be working with the Nation By Gloria Updike, Shenandoah NP IDP modules, which we are using at coached and trained my new staff, both al Museum of African American His Shenandoah NP to raise the standard for what I did well and how I could improve. tory and Culture Plan for Action he quiet girl exploring the historic our interpretation, operations and profes Freeman Tilden in his book Interpret Presidential Commission to make lodge after the tour seemed interest sional skills. ing Our Heritage maintained that "you possible a museum that will honor T ed, but I was surprised by what she said have only to attend some of the worse the legacy of African Americans. next. "I didn't thiiik I'd learn anything We're hopeful that the commission's Why Complete the IDP? performances in interpretation to wish report this April will generate the new. I've been on this tour every year and As an experienced interpreter, I wasn't heartily that there were some teachable support needed to move the muse thought I'd be bored," she began. What required to complete the IDP, but saw principles, and perhaps some schools for um from idea to action. would follow an opening like that? "But value in the materials. I knew I could interpreters." The IDP helps interpreters you really made me feel what it was like interpret, but becoming a certified inter reach Tilden's goals of relating to visitors' I hope that no matter where you here in those days. I could imagine being pretive professional would say something live, no matter what your job, you experiences, promoting provocation find yourself continually astounded the woman who owned the lodge. I final definitive about the quality of my work. rather than simple facts and revealing by the places we care for and by ly understand why it was so special to There were things I wanted to learn and meanings and relationships. the importance of our work to the them, why they wanted it to be a nation to prove to myself, and the IDP was a By applying theory to actual tours and world. I am looking forward to con al park." So, I had connected after all! path to a higher level of interpretation. Its projects, the IDP's concepts became tinuing our work together. Happy Helping visitors connect with the high standards became a motivating chal immediately relevant, and the flexibility New Year! resource is a significant result the NPS is lenge and an opportunity to demonstrate in methodology fit my needs. For the —Fran P. Mainella realizing through its Interpretive Devel competence at my new park. In the Lead Interpretive Writing module, I improved opment Plan (IDP). In 2001, I became ership module, for example, to document my writing skills by working with editor one of the first to be certified in all ten effective guidance I analyzed how I continued on page 10 2 Arrowhead • Winter 2003 Focus on the Parks • On Sept. 28 Padre Island NS cele Army" and planted trees, built roads, brated its 40th birthday. Padre Island NS constructed lodges, fought fires and is the longest remaining stretch of unde much more.