COURIER COVER

This month's cover photo, taken by (DURIER Harpers Ferry Center photographer NEWSMAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Ashton Graham, exemplifies some of the vigor Volume 35, Number 10 October 1990 and enthusiasm that goes into an HFC produc­ tion. Although this "Spaniard" is not dressed in the typical clothing of the day, his enthusiasm makes up for the minor details. Other actors in San Juan NHS's soon-to-be released film come closer to the "real thing," as indicated by the photo spread which begins on page 9.

FEATURES STAFF

Mary Maruca — Editor THE IMAGES STILL WORK 500 YEARS LATER — 5 Ricardo Lewis — Art & Production WHY TAKE A TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL - WONT ANAHEIM DO? — 9 RANGERS BRING HISTORY TO LIFE ADVISORS AT INDEPENDENCE NHP — 12 George J. Bcrklacy — Associate Publisher Theresa Wood — Executive Director, E&AA NPS EMPLOYEE FINDS DREAM CAREER Naomi Hunt — E&AA Editor AT CHANNEL ISLANDS — 16 Editorial Offices — 202/208-4996 A SENSE OF SOLITUDE — 18 FTS - 268-4996 NEW DIRECTIONS — 20 National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior DEPARTMENTS

COMMENTARY — 2 PARK BRIEFS —21 NPS PEOPLE —23 E&AA —27 The Director's Report

COLUMBUS' LEGACY

This month we observe Columbus Day, and I the encounter between the many Indian cultures thought it a good time to focus attention on some in the Americas and the Europeans. of the many programs and efforts already begun In interpreting the Columbus Quinccntenni­ in preparation for the Columbus Quinccntennial. al and the role the Spanish have played in our As we all learned as children, "In fourteen hun­ history, we have the complex task of recogniz­ dred and ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean ing and dealing not only with their role, but all blue." Thus, 1992 will be the 500th anniversary the dimensions and facets of our history. As al­ of Columbus' famous "discovery" voyage in ways, we will be mindful of the whole story— which he and his crew landed on an island they recognizing all those who have played a part in named San Salvador and "discovered the New this country's development and who have pro­ World." That event marked the beginning of duced the truly unique and varied cultures we Spanish exploration and colonization which con­ enjoy today in the United States. tinued well into the 18th century. In those three To highlight our Quinccntennial parks, the hundred years, the Spanish colonized or ex­ National Tour Association has produced a plored from Labrador to the Strait of Magellan handsome folder and provided us with copies to on the Atlantic seaboard and from Chile to Alas­ be made available to park visitors. We were ka on the Pacific coast. pleased to be able to work with them on this I am pleased to say that the National Park Service will be playing a project and appreciate their generous contribution. I'm sure it is but major role in commemorating the Columbus Quinccntennial. With little one of many cooperative efforts that will ensure the success of events more than a year to go, much planning has occurred; much work is throughout 1992. A few examples of some of the many events and underway; and, as always, much still remains to be done! But we'll get efforts planned for 1992 include: Navajo-language slide programs and there, and I'm confident that 1992 will be an interesting, exciting, and exhibits on Navajo/Spanish interaction for use in reservation schools successful year in all our parks as we highlight this country's Spanish at Canyon de Chclly; a re-creation of a 17th-century feast day at Colonial heritage. Salinas Pueblo Missions; education programs for Hispanic students at Many national park system areas have, a direct association with the Biscayne; and demonstrations of adobe construction techniques by Spanish presence in the "New World." Thirty-eight areas have been Mexican artisans at Big Bend. identified and designated as Spanish Colonial Heritage sites—these An invaluable resource for the Service in its preparation for the areas extend from Georgia (Fort Frederica, Cumberland Island) and Columbus Quinccntennial has been the Spanish Colonial Research Florida (Jean Lafitte, Gulf Islands) and across the continental United Center. The Center's established collection of maps, architectural States through the Southwest (Pecos, El Morro, Tumacacori, and San plans, and sketches, which has been used in the creation of slide sets Antonio Missions) to California (Cabrillo, Point Reyes, and Channel and interpretive materials for parks designated as Spanish Colonial Islands). Also included are areas in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, Heritage sites, was expanded recently to include 2,500 additional both of which were discovered by Columbus during his second voyage maps, plans and sketches collected earlier this summer. Additionally, in 1493. I was surprised to learn that even parts of Alaska, including the Center has collected 65,000 pages of documents related to North Sitka and Wrangell-St. Elias, were "discovered" and "claimed" by America and specific national parks. These materials, many of which Spanish explorers between 1765-1792. were painstakingly located and copied from extensive archival In these areas, and throughout the system, special events and materials in Spain, are critical to ensuring that we provide the public a programs will take place in 1992. But this is not just a commemoration thorough and informative interpretive experience. or celebration. There is a story to tell that will focus on exploring the In the coming months, I'm sure you'll be hearing and learning cross-cultural encounters and interactions which have characterized the more about the many efforts we have undertaken to get our sites in history of the Americas over the last 500 years, and which have greatly good order and the many programs we will be conducting to mark influenced the character of our country as we know it today. this occasion. In 1992, the National Park Service will have the This story, though, has many sides in the telling. The role the special, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with the 500lh anniversary of Spanish played, while a part of our history, is not necessarily a cause Columbus' arrival in the New World to be a part of an event that will for "celebration" for all. For Native Americans, Columbus' "discovery have worldwide dimensions. We will be an important player in of the new world" might not be considered a particularly happy event, bringing a rich and exciting story to both the American people and and the Quinccntennial will not be a pleasant reminder of the way international visitors. It's a challenging and exciting prospect! history has unfolded. Native Americans were already here, and were not well served or well treated in being "discovered" by the Europeans. Others will assert that all the "hoopla" is misplaced because North America already had been "discovered" by the Scandinavians, long before Columbus. Actually, a predominate theme in the Park Service is James M. Ridenour

October 1990 COURIER 1 COMMENTARY

FROM THE EDITOR in one place. For these reasons I remain thing from most of the NPS alumni who re­ pleased with what they can accomplish. sponded. The Courier helped to keep these A corollary of this pronouncement against groups informed of topics requiring Service Wasn't I surprised! theme issues—which may represent as much attention. But in the middle of the curve, those The responses to the June readership sur­ as half but certainly not all of the issues pub­ who had reached mid to upper level positions vey were not quite what I had expected, If any­ lished in any given year—was the general feel­ and were responsible for a variety oF land- thing, I suppose I imagined a greater mix of re­ ing that the magazine was the voice of the management decisions expressed the least plies—some positive, some negative, but Washington office rather than the field. A desire to read about NPS issues and took the seasoned with thought throughout and fully glance at the author bylines for any issue says least pleasure in the Courier as it now exists. supportive of the constructive effort that I be­ something different. Contributors come not What they wanted more of was knowledge of lieve each Courier issue represents. Though I only from the Washington office but from re­ their colleagues. One remade speaks for itself: may not have articulated it clearly to myself, I gions, parks, universities, and external groups "Too much scientific bull and not information must have envisioned those who received the that in one way or another are involved in the all employees are interested in." magazine as "gentle readers all," a good Victo­ work the Park Service is mandated to do. The evaluation of a Forest Service rian form of address assuming a sympathetic I did overlook one clement of the maga­ employee who responded to the survey is audience. zine in developing the survey, however, and weighted in the Dther direction. Although ex­ Obviously, I wasn't fully prepared for the that element was The Director's Report. Fortu­ pressing embarrassment that die Forest Ser­ reality, because some respondents may have nately readers were not as shortsighted as I. vice publication was not the preferred #1 read, been gentle but others certainly were not. Out Many wrote to inform me Df the interest they this employee observed, "So many other publi­ of the 108 voices that I heard from, a fair num­ took in the director's column each month, I am cations have an amateurish look. The Courier ber appeared to be disgruntled. Now bear in sure that Director Ridenour will be pleased to is very professional. You guys look like you mind that 108 responses out a[ a print run of know that the column has a regular following know where you're going." 13,000 represents less than a one-percent re­ vocal enough to point out my oversight, Of course, pleasing its audience is ho w turn. Still those 108 responses do say some­ There were other comments too—on the magazines stay in business. Still, the idealist in thing. What follows are a few of the trends as sty le of the magazine, on its humanity or lack me would like to think that NPS people who I've evaluated them. thereof, on its failure to deal with issues in a really care about each other find more person­ First, there were repetitive themes. One of controversial way. But for all the strong words al ways than a Servicewide magazine to stay the important ones was the request for recy­ that were used, I found them to be only symp­ in touch, and that what the magazine most ef­ cled paper, and, as I've observed before, that is tomatic of the problem, not the true root The fectively offers is an attitude of caring that, al­ coming. The January 1991 issue will be print­ root reached deeper, reached to the core of beit non-specific, projects a sensibility extend­ ed on recycled paper stock. It simply has taken some things that we all hope for as employees ing to all levels of the agency—to the human, a bit of time to work out how to accomplish and that, dxnsending on who we are, we get in the natural and the cultural resources alike. the details of this transition. different ways. What those 108 voices told me For the most part, I imagine, I will Another cause for disgruntlement was the was that some portion of die reading public continue »trust that those voices that did not theme issues. People who had no interest in a was expecting something from the Courier respond to the survey are, at least in part, particular topic saw no reason to read the mag­ that they were not getting from the organiza­ "gentle readers all." And I suspect that for die azine, I can appreciate such a position, though tion—possibly a sense of family support in the most part (hey are, because those generally I also have heard from others who find the face of adversity, recognition that We were all pleased With something tend not to reply. theme issues to have useful application both to in the same boat and rowing together. Nevertheless, I do plan to accommodate the re­ the work they do every day and to their out­ Now that's a tall order for a magazine—to ality expressed fry die survey responses a little reach efforts among constituency groups. In­ serve as a personal leuer to friends when each : more in the months ahead. deed, some have gone so far as to purchase ex­ of us should be picking up the pencil and do­ tra copies for distribution. There are few ing our own writing, keeping those connec­ higher compliments. tions strong-—but still it is something I will try From this editor's perspective, theme is­ to do more of in the months to come. 1 am sues also have a very practical application. planning more profiles of park people, more They make the job a little easier to do. When soliciting of park news. However, I hope thai there is only one person to solicit articles, edit those with something to say will not wait for LEARNING THE NPS A-B-C's them, format them, and do the photo research, me to call but will take the initiative to com­ an issue consultant who can suggest possible municate with me. Perhaps in this way a great­ Dixie authors and make initial contacts cases the edi­ er balance will be obtained between the tor's workload. Such a person also brings in presentation of issues, which I continue to be­ Secondbaseman Joe Xavier hit a combined new voices that might not otherwise be heard lieve need to be the true concern and passion .233/1 HR for the Triple-A Denver Zephyrs by the audience the Courier serves, And, most of all employees, and the human element. (Milwaukee Brewers) and Double-A Green­ importantly, new voices offer new ways of in­ There was one other interesting trend that ville (SC) Braves during the 1990 season. terpreting old problems and approaches. 1 might share. At one end of the bell curve, His chances of ever making the major Theme issues also provide an in-depth exami­ seasonals and younger employees seemed to league show now seem slim, but he did draw nation of information not otherwise available appreciate the issue-orientation of die publica­ special trivia-addict attention. You see Joe tion. At the other end, I heard much the same would have been the first player in history with an X surname to make his way onto the

2 COURIER October 1990 February. Actually it wasn't the written note but the stamps that make this a winner. A sim­ ple request for information by a West Hemp­ stead, NY, couple was sent with postage that included Migratory Bird Treaty (5 cents, 1966), National Park Service (5 cents, 1966) and Everglades National Park (3 cents, 1947), plus a regular 2-centeT. Such a classic natural­ ly received special attention. Contestants for the Prose-of-the-Year will be hard pressed to top what was penned by an 11-year-old Texan in an August letter to us: "As a young female I often get the urge to travel..." Watch out for her in 10 years!

Who Needs Enemies?

Sometimes it only takes a few minutes to realize what a disastrous day you are going to have. Such was the case on Monday, July 16, when by 9:05 a.m. it was clear what was "going down" and how it would lake this Baseball Encyclopedia roster. All it would grid-map. If you know of a canyon or stream office with it. have taken was one meaningless, end-of-the- or mountain with a name beginning with X, In the Boston Globe that morning was the season At Bat, but the parent Atlanta Braves write me at the North Atlantic Region and daily "Ask the Globe" informational column. never brought Joe up. Boooo! No sense of well make a Top Ten List by place size. Though the reader's question in point had theater. nothing whatever to do with us, the column Gee Whiz Such alphabet games are always interest­ writer shoved our name into the answer as an ing, and so your Jeopardy answer for today is afterthought, accompanied with not half- "Q, U, F, X and J." Take 20 seconds, then Those were the unfortunate have-nots. On baked, but completely baked info and an read on. The correct question is: Which of our the other side, since all of our parks are great, incorrect phone number. No one from the 26 letters have no national park system repre­ grand and some even glaciated, more than a Globe called us to verify anything. sentative of the 50 biggies? Poor X. It always few are named that way. The have letters are Before the day ended we had taken 122 gets shortchanged in these matters. led by G (8), with C coming in second (5). phone calls on the same subject—what is and F is verrry close to not being on the list. If I think the oddest coincidence in this alpha­ how does one get a Golden Age Pass? By 4 Kenai Fjords were changed to the more classi­ bet soup is the fact that the three Washington p.m. I could hardly mouth the words to ex­ cal Fjords of Kenai we'd be down to only four State parks are alphabetically consecutive: plain the process. We did complain to the outsiders. But we've got plenty of forts and fo­ Mount Rainier (1899), North Cascades (1968) Globe and yakked at length with them about rests—not to slight Fire Island, Fossil Butte and Olympic (1938). Utah, meanwhile, spans the CORRECTION they would print the next and some others. Our Canadian friends have our 26 little wordmakers with Arches, Bryce, day. The only person who had a worse eight tide king Fundy and the cliffs of the Gaspe Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and our much hours was the poor lady at a law office whose Peninsula's Forillon, each a national park. So needed Z, Zion. phone number the Globe printed as ours. shed no tears for F: Enough. Consider yourself primed for the Tuesday's 100-word correction helped cut J comes nearly as close. Joshua Tree latest pipedream for a commercially spon­ the number of calls in half each day as the NMonument is larger than many national sored piece of merchandise—the official Na­ week progressed, but many people only saw parks, and there is the great Jasper NP in the tional Park Service 75th Anniversary A-B-C Monday's item. Because of inaccurate second Canadian Rockies. The tenth letter also can Reader and Coloring Book. (Do I have to and third-ear hearsay, the calls keep coming boast Jewel Cave, Johnstown Flood and a host keep coming up with all the most sensible ide­ in. of John lived-in places. as for this gig?) Think of how many birds' This episode proved one thing to my U is not as cosmopolitan. Aside from the nests we could feather with this item. Every­ cynical satisfaction. Previously most of these Upper Delaware River there isn't much to one's complaining about kids' reading habits folks had little or no contact with national latch on to. Ute must go to the National and lack of geographical knowledge. Since parks and no idea of what to do with the pass. Forests to find Uncompahgre, Uwharrie, this is the Environmental Decade, what better They knew it was free and from the govern­ Umatilla and Umpqua. product to peddle? An educational trifecla— ment and, by golly, they were entitled to one. then they get to color in those red rocks, green Q has some place names within parks, like When requesters, eligible for the Golden Age trees and blue lakes. Color this potentially Olympic's Quinault Lake or Sequoia's Quinn Pass for many years, call up without any un­ profitable, and a terrific way to introduce NPS Peak. But in reference to our parks, maybe we derstanding of it, you know they've never concepts to a new generation. should just settle for it standing for "quintes­ been to nor will they probably ever go to a sential quiet" and "quality." Because of the three-month Franklin Lane national park. X of course, gets zip. I haven't had the biography I was unable to place in nomination But hey, they'll have a pass! research dexterity to go through each park's for Letter-of-the-Year one that we received in

October 1990 COURIER 3 COMMENTARY

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOTE TO READERS: The editor of the Courier and the Office of Public Affairs regret the publication delay and all other problems associated with the production of the September and October issues of the newsmagazine. Our printing contractor has declared bankruptcy, disrupting our printing schedule. We hope to resume our regular schedule soon.

The George Wright Society and the National Park Service are sponsoring the Sixth Conference on Research and Resource Man­ agement in the National Parks and Equivalent Reserves, to be held November 12-17 in El Paso, TX. The conference will include a Directors' Panel on managing threats; sessions on global impacts, using GIS in parks, recon­ In another unfortunate oversight, the ciling preservation and human activity, and photo of Voyageurs NP contractor Leon other topics. Field trips and walking tours of Watrous dropped out of the July Courier. That area parks are planned. For more information photo is above, picturing (1 to r) Asst. Superin­ contact The George Wright Society, P.O. Box tendent Dick Frost, Construction Foreman 65, Hancock, MI 49930 or call 906/487-9722. Steve Maass, Roads & Trails Foreman Leigh Evans, Administrative Officer Dottie Anderson, and Superintendent Ben Clary as OOPS! Leon admires his cake.

LETTER

We would like to share our love and aloha to all of you in behalf of our son, Samuel III. It was exactly a year ago on July 23, 1989, that Sam III was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. This is a type of cancer that affects the immune system and, if left untreated, goes into the central ner­ vous system, affecting the brain and spine. Sam's tumor was located in his chest cavity, covering at least 3/4 of the area, and later pushed up to the right side of his neck, caus­ Sam's protocol (roadmap) will take at least ing a lump the size of a softball. A biopsy was two years. After his two years, Sam will have done at Kapiolani Medical Center on Oahu periodic check-ups, and after five years of no that proved the tumor to be cancerous. Our relapse, he is cured. doctor told us the cancer was curable but Sam One year has gone by. Sam is still in Mid-Atlantic Regional Director Jim III would need aggressive radiation and chem­ remission as of October 1989. He is doing Coleman's name was omitted from the inter­ otherapy. Treatment began five hours after really well. Part of Sam's remarkable recovery view of him in the August Courier on related surgery in the pediatric intensive care unit. is due to friends like you. Because of your lands. Jim's contributions to addressing relat­ Dr. Wilkinson gave Sam his first chemothera­ generosity we have come far in our efforts to ed lands issues are significant. He has made py. Two hours after getting his chemotherapy, have a healthy son again. We would like to developing related lands strategies one of his Sam was transported by ambulance to thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts. top priorities, committing staffing and funding Queen's Medical Center for radiation. Radia­ God bless you all. Mahalo Nui Loa. to all of the Mid-Atlantic Region's efforts. Jim tion treatment was for five days. Samuel K. Kahookaulana and Family deserves the Service's recognition for his Sam is done with radiation, but still needs Hawaii Volcanoes NP leadership in this area. chemotherapy. According to Dr. Wilkinson,

4 COURIER October 1990 TEXT BY MARY MARUCA - PHOTOS BY ASHTON GRAHAM THE IMAGES STILL WORK 500 YEARS LATER

arpers Ferry Center Curator Bill Brown gazed H out of his Norfolk hotel window, positioning his binoculars on the harbor. He found the horizon line obscured by the enormous aircraft carriers typical of modern ports near military bases. Brown was waiting for HFC film director Brian Jones, due in that evening with one completed next year, also will serve the interpretive needs of of three Colonial-style sailing vessels about to be transformed other park areas commemorating the Columbus Quinccntennial. into Spanish ships from the Age of Exploration. In what might The footage docs indeed speak well of the work that has been have been a scene from one of the old Twilight Zone scripts, done to date. It depicts small vessels on vast seas and men Roanoke's Elizabeth II chose that moment to sail into view from armed physically, emotionally and spiritually against the behind the broad expanse of a carrier. "It looked like a rowboat unknown. Sails marked with the telltale cruciform lines typical out there," Brown laughs, recollecting a moment that may well of the Spanish empire unfurl against skies that arc overcast as be the quintessential symbol of how far we have come since well as skies whose robin's blue testifies to fine weather. The Europeans first advanced on the New World. robes of a Dominican catch the wind as holy water beads out Jones and Brown speak more about images than they do across voyagers gathered in the ship's hold. The inscrutable face about symbols. "I don't know anybody that's created these imag­ of a black sailor says as much or more about the subllies and es any better. We went to a lot of effort but, quite honestly, we complexities of these travels of discovery as do the crossbows in got a lot of image for our money," Brown observes in retrospect, the hands of the first Spaniards filmed touching shore. studying video footage of the Norfolk shoot in one of the Images, every one of them, as the filmmakers would define darkened editing rooms at Harpers Ferry Center. Weeks after images, and yet they are symbols too—shortcuts that attempt to that first shoot, Jones has selected images from miles of footage teach us what it might have felt like to step inside the armor of a and set them to music from the HFC music library. The video is Spaniard and gaze out at our old world when it was new. Creat­ intended to speak well of the filming and to whet the appetites of ing these images that have the potential to become symbols—to prospective contributors to a San Juan project that, when stand in memory for larger experiences—is the art of the film-

October 1990 COURIER 5 maker, which, as Brian Jones explains, is determined, certainly The first shoot of the Quincentennial project was completed in the Park Service, by the kind of project under development in three days this summer. Sites in the Norfolk area helped and the park it is being developed for. A film like the one he create a generic vision of Spanish sailing vessels and the typical also is directing for Canyon de Chelly calls for a small, tight configuration of a Spanish landing. Another shoot tentatively story confined to the natural boundaries created for the early scheduled for the beginning of December will recreate aspects Navajo by the canyon walls. The Quincentennial project, on the of the Spanish experience in the Florida swamplands and die other hand, emphasizes the vastness and the longevity of the Puerto Rican rainforest. Brian Jones summarized some ideas un­ Spanish empire. It will trace the 300-year history of the largest der consideration: "We're going to shoot in Ponce de Leon's empire ever to exist, one that, as Jones points out, was larger house, then record some rainforest scenes. We'll also shoot even than the empire established by Rome. What Jones and some footage of the forts. We've been talking about how to Brown hope to depict is a generic (read symbolic) experience for present the Catholic Church, which is a touchy subject but obvi­ viewers. Depending on the budget, Jones hopes to show the con­ ously one we're going to have to deal with. So we'll probably quistadors in the various New World settings they first ex­ shoot in a cathedral also. We'll stop in St. Augustine after that. plored—in desert, prairie, swamp and rainforest environments. There's a fellow there who says he has 300 guys he can bring

"The film should give viewers significant about the Spanish a sense of the progression of empire. the Spanish empire," he ob­ Perhaps it is only another serves. "The story begins with symbol—the Spanish search the creation of the atmosphere for gold that gave us Ponce de for expansion in Spain and Leon, Diego de Vargas, De continues on till the end of the Soto, Cortez and the other con­ empire —basically the first quistadors that may represent at half of the 19th century when some deep level the frustrations the countries in South America of our own unfilled desires— split off and became indepen­ but it is certainly an important dent countries. We'll have an element of the Age of Explora­ ending that talks about the tion. And although Brian Jones continuing presence of the indicates that the film will at­ Hispanic culture and language, tempt to help visitors perceive but we won't tell the whole history in the light of this and story of these revolutions." other Quincentennial-related The Quincentennial project concepts, he insists that how was fueled by the need at San they integrate them into their Juan for a film that explained perceptions of today's environ­ the existence of the forts. Ac­ ment is not what the film is af­ cording to Jones, "One of the ter. "Part of the visitors' view, things we decided in looking of course, is developed from the way the park uses die film. I think that, like most things, the at the interpretive plan was that to understand the forts in Puerto film is a tool, that it shouldn't just stand on its own, that a park Rico you have to have a broader picture of the Spanish Empire. should use it and integrate it into what staff are talking about or To just look at the forts themselves, which is what the existing what's happening at the park." film does, fails to explain why these huge structures were build on such little islands. We needed a film that would show the Another part of the Quincentennial story is the Native Ameri­ broader aspects of the expansion." can contribution. That too, Jones observes, is important to the The concept fit in with the interpretive prospectus as well as story: "I'd like to say it's a commemoration rather than a celebra­ emerging plans for the Service's Quincentennial celebration. tion, because they have a good point that it wasn't so exciting for Add in the fact that approximately 35 parks have clearly defined diem...I don't think we're going to whitewash it either way. My Spanish themes and others have visitors asking questions about idea is just to tell the story as clearly as we can, to set it in context the Spanish presence in the New World, and the timing seemed so that viewers understand this was simply the attitude of the right for this latest Harpers Ferry project. The importance of the time." Spanish influence and HFC's effort to call it to the attention of About that attitude, Brown suggests, "You figure the Church park audiences was further underlined by an interesting gave these men absolution for any sin they might commit. In that comparison Bill Brown uncovered while researching the film. kind of framework, it's probably a very settling thing on one's According to Brown, prior to 1490, all the known gold in the mind. Literally you can do anything and you're covered." known world could have been melted down to form a gold Not so filmmakers. Says Jones, "Basically what we're trying to block six feet square; by 1550, Spain alone could have made a do is give a quick overview of the Spanish empire and not try to gold block nine feet square. For Brown, this said something argue the morality of the Indians versus the Spaniards."

6 COURIER October 1990 October 1990 COURIER 7 out. We can sure use those kinds of numbers." comfortable." The Dominican priest actually got so caught up in "Those kinds of numbers" are the stock-and-trade of films the enthusiasm for authenticity that he shaved the hair at the with larger budgets than Jones has to work with, but getting back of his head, in keeping with the order of the time. Some of around such needs without diminishing the capability to create the costumes used in the film already belonged to the actors. memorable images is the real challenge of filmmaking. It's what They were simply augmented by objects that enhanced the peri­ sweetens every retelling of how certain scenes were achieved. od-look Jones was after. Others were ordered from London. Jones somewhat wistfully recollects his desire to use a special Much of the armor used on the sets was the work of Luther lens that would have softened the film, giving it the look a Sowers whose North Carolina workshop already had produced viewer might expect from a Ridley Scott film. "We found out three suits of armor owned by the Park Service and used at sites that the lens was huge, as huge as the camera, and wasn't practi­ like Fort Raleigh NHS. Sowers also loaned armor to the Service cal for what we wanted to do. It also would have cost a thousand for use in the film. So Jones was able to put real armor on his dollars a day to use." actors. This made a difference, as Brown explained, because the "The real problem," jokes Brown, "is they spent $64 million fiberglass versions available in England had a different look on on Batman. With that kind of money we could have done a the screen. "There's a quality about real armor, the way the light really good job on this project." bounces off it, that's incredibly distinctive." "At least we'd like to try," Jones agrees. A bigger budget And what account of imagemaking on the open seas would would have allowed him to achieve more of the look he'd be complete without a story about a knarled, gritty sea captain? envisioned. "I'd like to have been able to have had more days so Jones and Brown had such a tale to share from their recollec­ that I could have waited and said 'well, today there's just not tions of the Norfolk shoot. Their sea captain was a tugboat oper­ enough wind'...But we just had three days and that was all we ator who had maneuvered the ships, Elizabeth, Godspeed, and could afford. We also could have liked to paint the ships the way Dove, in the past and whom all the other sea captains knew. we wanted. The paint scheme is essentially English. If we'd had Brown described the man as someone who looked like he'd been die money we could have had mem painted with more tradition­ cast by Hollywood. Jones remembered his earring: "It was the ally Spanish colors." quick-release kind, made from his wedding ring. When he got a Nevertheless, the serendipity that allows filmmakers to come divorce he had it made into a quick release earring." up with creative ways to achieve the image they desire operated In appearance and ability, the man was, without a doubt, the time after time during mis shoot as it has on so many others. To best candidate for the job. Jones recollected, "These boats are put crosses on the sails, an element critical to the Spanish delicate. You can't push them around. Just a couple of weeks be­ conversion of the English-style vessels they had to work with, fore we got Elizabeth, they had been moved around by another would have cost far more money than they could have budgeted. tug that cracked one of their ribs; so that's why we got this guy." Bill Brown explained how they achieved the look they wanted: And what about those thrill-seekers' shots, the difficult-to- "Brian had gathered graphics of Spanish ships. They had flags get, yet exquisite camera angles that are the signature of films to and pennants all over them. We wanted to do that, plus wc want­ which viewers return again and again? There were certainly ed to put up the Castilian flags. But the main thing was to get some of those, filmed by Tom Gray and Steve Ruth, the two those crosses on the sails and we obviously couldn't afford to cameramen for the project. One memorable sequence of buy sails for three ships. We were lucky. We had this fellow unfurling sails, obviously photographed from a position high up who was a really good set designer. He came up with the idea of in rigging, brings to mind the inevitable question: Did the direc­ using tape—actually it's like gaffer's tape—on the sails." tor climb up first to determine the precise angle he wanted for The authentic appearance of the actors came from a combina­ the shot? tion of factors. Brian Jones and Bill Brown went to various "Well, you see, I have this bad shoulder..." rccnactment activities where they videotaped people they Brian Jones grins. thought would look at home in the garb of militia men. Using in­ Then it's off onto another dividuals already familiar with the correct way to hold a sword story about the quirks of or a firearm cut down on the training required before Jones felt circumstance that make a they looked convincing. Nevertheless, Brown recalls a few ups film what it is—about and downs to this process. how an image comes to "We went down to Norfolk to get Spanish-speaking actors be projected a certain and this one guy walked in, a real intense looking person, way. But by now his obviously quite fit. Turns out he did something in Teenage Mu­ listeners know that tant Ninja Turtles. Well, he had these intense eyes and Brian images are simply a film­ said 'I can really see him in one of those helmets.' So we put him maker's way of creating in a three-quarter suit of armor, and he was the one who got ex­ symbols, and that, hausted. One of the other actors was wearing essentially the ultimately, it is through same thing and he didn't have any problems." these symbols that he Brown attributes the visual impact of the film to the fact that helps his audiences come "the people playing sailors are sailors and the priest is a to terms with what is priest...Everyone was doing what they do well and they all felt known about our world.

8 COURIER October 1990 BY RICHARD WEST SELLARS WHY TAKE A TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL - WON'T ANAHEIM DO? n T he Trip to PERCEPTION AND MANIPULATION I Bountiful," a film about the OF THE HISTORIC PAST. In a recent movie, importance of place, The Trip to Bountiful, an old woman, Mrs. Carrie Watts, is de­ depicts an old termined to visit the place where she grew up near Bountiful, woman determined to visit the farm Texas. Her indifferent son and daughter-in-law repeatedly pre­ where she grew up. vent her going there, claiming that she is not well enough to make the trip. But Mrs. Watts finally escapes on a bus. Then, through the kindness of the local sheriff, she is driven to her old home, a now-abandoned farmstead. To Mrs. Watts, the visit is deeply rewarding. She sees for one last time the place where she lived. association, by having been the stage on which history occurred. Now suppose the sheriff had not taken her there, but rather People involved in a historic event move on, but the site re­ had said, "Sorry, Mrs. Watts, I'm going in the opposite direction. mains, its importance elevated above the ordinary. Around it de­ I'll be glad to take you to this other farm about ten miles away. velops a commemorative history, usually set apart from the It looks a lot like the one where you grew up, and I think you'll main flow of daily life. like it just as well. Why, the house has even been refurnished THE CADENCE OF HISTORY. In looking back, it appears with period pieces, and there are costumed interpreters to tell that each locality develops a body of history at its own cadence, you what it was like in olden days. That should do it, shouldn't slowly or rapidly, until we perceive sites as "historic." To begin it?" with, most areas have experienced a span of prehistory, which The Trip to Bountiful deals with the profound meaning a place we ordinarily see as having proceeded in slow, rhythmic can have for an individual. If Mrs. Watts had been taken to patterns that included subsistence activities, trade, migration, another farm, she certainly would have been disappointed. She and architecture and art. This modem perception results from had intense personal associations with her home place, and having only limited access to the specifics of life in prehistoric nowhere else would satisfy her. societies. Many individuals have strong attachments to special places With the beginning of the historic era, however, the cadence connected with their personal past. We each have our own of history appears to accelerate as the written word fills periods Bountifuls. Ordinarily such places do not qualify as historic. of time with detail and nuance, highlighting even individual Because they are tied to personal memories they are likely to be people and events. But the cadence is varied and erratic. Most relegated to the category of family history. Other places, localities develop gradually, as farms, communities and cities however, have significance for more than one person or family. evolve through the yearly minutiae of events toward contempo­ Over time they attain value for many people and become rary times—all told, an often thin wash of history. This steady historic, widely recognized as a meaningful part of the past. pace suddenly changes when the rush of significant events fills a Part of the process of history is the constant necessity to look time and place with history of greater scope and magnitude than back at what has happened. Such remembrance may also focus that of ordinary life. Vivid details, amassed and concentrated, on a particular place. The Trip to Bountiful explored Mrs. Watts' seem to accelerate the cadence of history, intensifying and compulsion to look back at her childhood and visit a cherished crowding an era with historic action and fact. site in her personal history. On a broader human scale, for some In the United States, perhaps the most widespread phenome­ events the looking back may occur repeatedly and assume a sig­ non to accelerate the cadence of history was the frontier move­ nificance of its own. Recalling the Battle of the Little Bighorn, ment. Explorers and pioneers arrived with a burst of significant for example, has become unusually meaningful, with ongoing activity. This first contact was a major threshold, a time crowded commemoration and preservation at Custer Battlefield, and a with events deemed to be of historical importance. Those who lasting, widespread public interest in that historic episode. The led the way—exploring, settling, and establishing communi­ focus of this looking back is the site, the battlefield itself, a ties—became heroes of a mythic, golden era, their stories told Bountiful for Custer buffs worldwide. and retold and their deeds celebrated. But as the excitement of Although a historic event itself is of primary importance, the the threshold era subsided, those who followed could not place where it happened assumes significance through compete with the conquering pioneers for a place in history.

October 1990 COURIER 9 temple built in the early twentieth century. Supposedly, parts of the cabin are authentic survivors from the time of Lincoln's birth, although this is in serious doubt. Patriotic Americans who be­ lieved the site was sacred erected this temple to Father Abraham, the revered emancipator. Today, however, this site's hallowcd­ ness is limited, if indeed it exists at all. The temple and cabin have become more a curiosity than a shrine because our attitudes are different. Today's generation likely would not construct any­ he deification of a martyred thing so explicit as a temple at the birthplace of Abraham T president: at the site where Lincoln, because to us, he is no longer Father Abraham. Abraham Lincoln was born, in The history of the Texas School Book Depository Building, Kentucky, the birthplace cabin is enshrined in a granite and marble used by Lee Harvey Oswald during the assassination of President temple—but the cabin is of doubt­ John F. Kennedy, also reflects how our shifting perceptions can ful authenticity. affect a site's ongoing history. After the assassination, serious proposals were made to demolish the Depository Building to The American Revolution touched areas in a similar way, as remove its objectionable and tragically symbolic presence. The did the Civil War. Localities such as Lexington and Yorktown, building remained standing, although various groups opposed its and later Vicksburg and Gettysburg—long steeped in a steady, nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. conventional history—suddenly experienced violent and disrup­ Eventually the structure was entered on the National Register, tive warfare of far-reaching consequence. At these places the but only as part of a large historic warehouse district representing cadence of history intensified dramatically, awash in military local business and economic history. The National Register incident. Details of these battles have been microscopically nomination mentions Kennedy's assassination only incidentally. studied, reverently recounted, and even rccnactcd. Now, long after the president's murder, the depository houses For many localities the frontier era, the Revolution, the Civil part of the Dallas County court system, an adaptive use that has War, or perhaps some combination of these, still form the enabled die building to be preserved. Furthermore, a local principal anchor to the past, the keystone to a community's identi­ historical foundation has opened an exhibit on the sixth floor, ty. The different communities returned to their own steady pace where the fatal shots were fired. of history, but the remembrance of the outstanding historic events With the assassination, the Texas School Book Depository has remained strong, and the places associated with them stand Building emerged instantaneously as die principal feature in the apart. historic landscape of Dallas. The building survived to be In most places a pattern of history and associated sites emerges accepted as worthy of preservadon and interpretation to the that reflects a gradual, generally uneventful past, punctuated with public. The focus of the exhibit is clearly on the assassination, a few prominent events. Folklorists and anthropologists are not while the historic warehouse district is a negligible aside. Chang­ likely to be so interested in the conspicuous seams of this historic ing perceptions have affected the depository building's treatment cloth. Such scholars, along with historians of everyday life, and thus its ongoing history. would probably find the seams interesting, but they would more When our perception of historical significance starts to closely examine the cloth's weaving and its overall pattern. Of influence our treatment of a site, historic preservation begins. more popular interest, however, are the seams—the salient as­ The rules change: the past becomes the primary point of pects of history. reference. An earlier dme and an earlier use or activity assume PERCEPTION AND TREATMENT OF HISTORIC SITES. importance in determining present-day treatment of a place. Whether slowly or suddenly, a historic site emerges from the Those in charge merely may think twice before bulldozing a site. commonplace, assuming values beyond mere landscape or real Or, past events may be perceived as so deeply meaningful that estate. A transition occurs. Historical qualities are perceived, the places where they occurred cannot be ignored. People may causing changes in attitudes toward a site. invoke elaborate commemoradve rituals, including acts of Our perception of history, however, is like the view through a preservation and intcrpretadon, to confirm the importance of a broken camera lens: images of the past are blurred, and never can moment in the past and to perpetuate its memory. In effect, they be brought perfectly into focus. Moreover, one group after may look back at Bountiful, and return again and again to seek another abandons objectivity. Whether we think of a site as mere­ satisfaction and understanding. ly historic or as hallowed ground, our perception is likely to be MANIPULATION OF HISTORIC SITES: THE ROAD TO influenced by factors such as ethnocentricity, nationalism, local­ ANAHEIM. As pcrcepdons of history change, so do the places ism, or filiopietism. Hallowcdness is, in fact, in the eye of the be­ where history occurred. They undergo physical changes through­ holder, and perceptions of historical significance or hallowcdness out their existence. Preservadon docs not halt this change. Rather are often very personal, such as feelings about a family gravesite, it directs the change toward a special purpose—maintaining or or, for Mrs. Watts, memories of the farm near Bountiful. recapturing a particular historic appearance. However, Also, our attitudes toward sites change over time. Abraham succeeding generations may manage a site with different Lincoln's birthplace, near Hodgenville, Kentucky, consists of a "historic" appearances in mind—sometimes based solely upon small log cabin enclosed by a granite and marble, Greek-style whim or personal taste, or perhaps to make it look "nicer." If so, a

10 COURIER October 1990 Consider this at a personal level with, for example, pieces of furniture and the meanings they hold for individuals. A cabinet­ maker might build a dining table for you in period style. The table might look as if it had been built in the 1890s and kept in good condition, but in fact the table is new. It is not a true survivor from the nineteenth century. On the other hand, you might purchase an antique dining table. This table is a product of the artisan who built it and generations who used and cared for it. However, this antique is a survivor of an anonymous past. You do not know who owned it over time. The table conveys a true feeling of the past, but it is mute as to specific associations. Finally, you might have inherited your great-grandparents' dining table. They had it made when they married in the 1890s and kept it all of their lives. Each succeeding generation has he Texas School Book Depository Building in Dallas, TX, on the T afternoon of November 22, 1963, shortly after the assassination of owned it, used it, cared for it, and passed it on to the next genera­ President John F. Kennedy: an ordinary urban setting suddenly be­ tion. You knew this piece as a child when you were growing up. comes infamous—then is perceived as historic. First it belonged to your grandparents, then to your parents, and now to you. This table docs not have an anonymous past; rather it historic site's appearance may fluctuate dramatically over time. is part of your own past. The table's associations are specific and In an effort to give a site a public face reflecting a desired meaningful, and, in this regard, it is irreplaceable. If it were image of the past, we sometimes manipulate a site extensively somehow destroyed, an artisan could make an exact replica, or rather than strictly preserving the historic remnants and allowing perhaps you could find a similar piece from the 1890s. But some­ them to speak for themselves. A historic place may become thing would be missing. No other table would convey the same completely contrived, even to the point of having all historic ma­ deep values; no other would possess the final qualification of terial removed, including that beneath the ground, in order to being the original piece. place a replica where the original once stood. This example using personal values At Bent's Old Fort, a frontier post in southeastern Colorado, die also has validity for objects of national original foundations, which were the only structural remnants value. The original Rising Sun chair, from the historic era, were dug up and replaced by a new used in 1787 by George Washington "historic" fort completed in 1976 at a cost of several million during the Constitutional Convention dollars. The modern building is furnished with period pieces and in Independence Hall, is on exhibit in reproductions, and costumed interpreters explain to visitors what the Assembly Room where the Consti­ the fort supposedly was like when the Bents were there. The total tution was written. The chair is the only reconstruction of Bent's Old Fort is a form of historical represen­ piece of furniture unquestionably docu­ tation, not preservation. Only the terrain itself, upon which rests mented to have been in Independence a make-believe historic structure, has genuine tics to the historic Hall at the time of the convention. past—a kind of latitudinal and longitudinal matter, the place Visitors to the Assembly Room are told where it happened. The fort, to some degree, may reflect the past, the chair is original and that it was used by Washington. The Ris­ but it is not

October 1990 COURIER 11 TEXT BY BILL KASHATUS - PHOTOS BY THOMAS L. PAVIES RANGERS BRING HISTORY TO LIFE AT INDEPENDENCE NHP

URBAN RANGERS OF INDEPENDENCE NHP

ill Kashalus, portraying a colonial, yells B his support from the crowd gathered during the 214th commemorative reading of the Declaration of Independence on the square behind Independence Hall (AP laser photo.) Maria Schaller (top photo) and Mark Newton (middle) speak with visitors in Congress Hall, Independence NHP. Jeannie Andress greets visitors beginning their tour of Independence Hall. Left, Bob Hansen and Joy Pietschmann give a talk at the Liberty Bell.

12 COURIER October 1990 uring the summer of 1776 John Adams reminded die Quizzical looks from some, giggles from others. One young D Second Continental Congress that, There are only two girl spontaneously remarks, "Uh-oh, this guy must be a teacher!" creatures of value on the face of the earth: those with commit­ I remind the group mat common people, much like any of us, ment and those who require the commitment of others. More than shaped the history that occurred in Independence Hall—thus, the two hundred years later his words still echo in the chamber where theme of my tour. The goal here is to inspire curiosity without a Declaradon of independence from Great Britain was adopted. compromising the essential truths of history. They are recalled, daily, by a group of people who hold a passion­ This is the goal for any interpreter—or any good history ate commitment to the interpretation and preservation of the sites teacher for that matter—and it has taken me six summers to learn where our nation's history began, the rangers of Independence how to reach it effectively. But I have had some good role mod­ NHP. els. One of them, Richard Dyer, another summer seasonal ranger Since 1951, the National Park Service has maintained and who teaches high school, began interpreting history at Indepen­ staffed die red-brick buildings, cobbled pathways and well dence in 1959, the year I was bom! He is an expert at shaping the tended gardens covering more than eight Philadelphia blocks. imaginations of his visitors since he began his interpretive career Currently 68 rangers, all from a variety of backgrounds, serve as when the park's buildings were being transformed into the histor­ interpreters. Under the supervision of Kathleen Dilonardo, chief ically accurate restorations we know today. Dyer recalls that "in of interpretation and visitor services, they are part of a much the 1960s the restoration of the buildings went on as you walked larger staff of 175 NPS employees that include administrators, the visitors through them." Under those circumstances, the protection officers and maintenance. ranger not only had to discuss the "emotional issues of the Not all of the interpreters are permenently employed by the Revolution and the history of that time period but also what was Park Service either. In fact, half of them are seasonals—some of going on from an architectural and physical standpoint." them school teachers, college and graduate students. Regardless Today the park is divided into four interpretive districts, each of their backgrounds, they share the common goal of making his­ one employing a staff of 12-20 interpreters. The rangers are tory come to life for the thousands who visit the park each year. expected to master the history of the sites that compose their The responsibility of an urban park ranger is a challenging one. particular district. Dyer believes these changes improved the The ranger is charged with preserving the historical integrity and quality of interpretation at the park. He claims that he is "always safety of sites within the jurisdiction of the park—no easy task learning new ideas and strategies from his fellow rangers" and when you consider that a single ranger comes into contact with that with the greater emphasis on historical research in the park hundreds of visitors daily and that those crowds can become he has "grown in the story that [he] shares with the visitors." Not awfully demanding, particularly in the 90-degree heat of a Phila­ surprisingly, the younger rangers view Dyer as a "walking delphia summer. The ranger also must learn to separate myth encyclopedia" and often turn to him for advice. Perhaps the from truth when it pertains to our nation's early history, and to do greatest testimony to his abilities as a "teacher-interpreter" is the so with out offending visitors. If you can handle the challenge, fact that two of his former students have followed in his footsteps the experience at Independence can be tremendously rewarding. as park rangers. After all, few people will ever have the opportunity to capture a moment in history and bring it to life for visitors who travel from JVly tour group enters Independence Hall through the front all parts of this country; or have the satisfaction of knowing that door and gathers in the courtroom in the west end of the building. their efforts can make a difference in the way a foreign visitor Children crowd the wooden gate that separates the public perceives the United States. In these ways a park ranger fulfills standing area from the period furnishings. They have been the awesome responsibility of serving his country. cautioned about the danger of getting their knees caught between During the last six summers I have volunteered, written history the long spindles that hold the gate in place, and yet I can see a or interpreted for the National Park Service. This summer I was half dozen youthful knees pointing at me through that gate as I one of twelve school teachers on staff at the park, and, like my assume my position on the other side. The home video cameras colleagues, I have a tendency to turn Independence Hall into a begin to roll... living history classroom. Class begins in the East Wing building "On July 8,1776, Pennsylvanians no longer believed that the where the visitors are oriented for a thirty-minute tour of the Hall. king respected their legal rights. On that day, after a public When I take my place at the front of the room the talking turns reading of the Declaration of Independence out on the square, a into barely audible murmurs. group of common people calling themselves the 'Associators' "Good afternoon. On behalf of the National Park Service, I stormed into this court room and tore down the king's arms which would like to welcome you to Independence National Historical hung above the judges' bench. They proceeded to carry it out to Park..." the commons where they destroyed it. With these actions the A hushed silence, a few smiles—I have captured their attention colonists had committed treason!" but I want something more; I want to capture their imaginations An elderly man wearing an American Legion cap flinches in also. disbelief. He finds it hard to view the founding fathers as a group "Today I want one thing to happen for each and every one of of political dissidents. Nevertheless, I believe it is necessary to you in this room. I want the history of Independence Hall to come give a balanced view of the Revolution, to help visitors under­ to life." stand the British perspective in that conflict. According to that

October 1990 COURIER 13 V url and Peggie Gaul behind Independence Hall. view the colonists were Englishmen who enjoyed a prosperous livelihood and one that was protected under the English Constitu­ tion. Their refusal to pay taxes and their destruction of British property hardly qualified them for the status of heros. It is lime to move across the hall into the Assembly room. As I gather the group together I notice that one of my visitors, a young boy, has managed to get his knee caught in the gate. He is crying, more out of embarrassment than pain. I reassure him that this situation is not an uncommon one and not to panic. I notice that another ranger, John Dubois, is stationed at the front door, con­ trolling the flow of traffic through the building. He is also an ex­ pert at freeing children from the gates. Since my immediate re­ sponsibility is to continue the tour, I leave the child and his To interpret this room is a ranger's greatest challenge because mother in John's capable hands. In a matter of minutes Dubois, the high expectations of the visitor and, indeed, the events which with the help of some vaseline and a towel, frees the young boy transpired here, make it the most energy-filled room in the entire and they rejoin my group. park. I take my time, manipulating the effectiveness of the Dubois is one of five temporary rangers at Independence Park. "pause" at key points so that visitors can process the significance A native of Preston, CT, he is on a one-year assignment that may of those events. I begin my presentation with a brief summary of or may not lead to a permanent position. Like many of the the constitutional issues that gave force to the Revolutionary permanent rangers who plan on an NPS career, he would like to movement. The phrases "No taxation without representation" and work in a natural resource park like Yellowstone or Grand Can­ "virtual versus actual representation" seem to flow much more yon. But for now he must gain as much interpretive experience as freely and assume a much greater meaning in this chamber than he can since visitor services and interpretation, whether in a they do in the confines of my classroom at school. Gradually, I historical or a natural setting, are essential prerequisites for an introduce my visitors to Richard Henry Lee, the Virginian who NPS career. His path to a temporary position at Independence be­ proposed the resolution on independence. Moving behind one of gan during the winter of 1987. When he was a student at the Uni­ the delegate tables I attempt to take them back to June 7,1776, by versity of Maine, a professor informed him of a need for rangers resurrecting Lee's spirit with his words: "That these united at Minute Man NHP where he was later offered a seasonal job. colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states. Dubois was working for an environmental agency in Boston That all political connection between them and the slate of Great when he decided to apply to the Park Service for a full-time posi­ Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved!" tion. After going through the seemingly endless paperwork he I explain that Lee's resolution, adopted by the Second Conti­ was hired by Independence NHP. He finds the role of an urban nental Congress on July 2,1776, laid the foundations for Thomas park ranger to be "challenging because of the large groups of peo­ Jefferson's Declaration of Independence. And that Declaration ple who move continuously in and out of the buildings." To lifted the Colonial struggle from a self-interested argument over accommodate those numbers, which can average during the economics to a fundamental concern over human rights. Adopted summer between 2 to 4,000 daily at a site like Independence Hall, by the Congress of the 4th of July, Jefferson's statement that com­ is extremely demanding. But as Dubois points out, "the more ex­ mon people have a right to control their political destiny is me­ perience you have with those numbers of people, whether in a morialized by the words... seasonal or a temporary capacity, is valuable in leading to a "We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men arc permanent position within the Park Service." created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these arc life, liberty, and the 1 he Assembly Room of Independence Hall is clearly the most pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are significant historical site in our country. Here in 1776 the Second instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the Continental Congress debated and eventually adopted the resolu­ consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government tion on independence from Great Britain. Here, in 1787, the becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to Federal convention debated and eventually adopted our present alter or to abolish it." constitution. With that kind of history, the room interprets itself. These words mark the high point of my tour. You can actually This point becomes clear to me every time I take a group into that feel die electricity—a presence of the past—in the room. As I room. Almost immediately they become silent, transfixed by the recite those words I look very carefully into the faces of the audi­ elegant simplicity of the room itself. Only the history that ence to sec their reaction, hoping that I have made some kind of occurred here is more striking than the beauty of the ionic difference in the way they perceive the founders or, more impor­ woodwork and the cockle shell frieze of the tabernacle frame tantly, how they view themselves and their responsibilities as centered on the east wall. American citizens. The ones I really hope to effect stand nearest

14 COURIER October 1990 the gate that separates the visitors from me, arry McClenney speaks to visitors at the children. Most of them are silent, their L the John Barry statue behind Independence flail. innocent faces telling me that they really don't understand the impact of everything I've said but that they know it is important. of ethnicity than the ability to speak a for­ I'll admit that when I look at those children I eign language. He explains that "on my tours get a lump in my throat because they I try to highlight the fact that there were represent the future of our country. I can many people in this country who were not only hope that in their adulthood they will English. After all, we have Afro-American exercise, in a responsible way, the commit­ visitors, people of Slavic descent, Jews, all ments that have been so gracefully types of visitors at the park, and, because of articulated here by our founding fathers. it, I try to address a number of these groups Peggie and Curt Gaul can appreciate these in order to make them feel as if they too arc a feelings. The couple, in their late twenties, part of American history." have been among the most devoted and The 33 year-old Newton, a graduate respected rangers at Independence Park. student at the Rcconstructionist Rabbinical Between the two of them they have gained College in nearby Wyncote, has been em­ fifteen years of experience interpreting or ployed by the National Park Service for six writing history, acting as supervisors and summers cither at Independence Park or coordinating some of the special events at Presidential Park in Washington DC. He the park. Having met each other at the park in 1984, they were sees many parallels between his role as an interpreter and his married two years later and established a mutual support system. rabbinical training. "Naturally both involve public speaking, but Working at the same park has its advantages as well as its the similarities go much further than that" he claims. "Both the disadvantages though. Peggie says that the chance "to commute interprctor and die rabbi are teachers. The rabbi interprets the together gives us some time for each other and we also have die Jewish tradition for his congregation providing them with some same friends" but she admits that "sometimes it feels as if we're form of guidance in their religious lives. Similarly, the interpreter too much a part of each other's lives." That can be difficult when at a national park presents what he knows of the history in order your spouse is among the ranks of the interpreters and you are a to clarify some of the perceptions or misconceptions a visitor supervisor. Peggie found herself in that situation for three years. brings to the park." Regardless of their particular responsibilities, "That was the most difficult thing to handle. Things would Newton points out that the rabbi, like the ranger, has "an obliga­ happen at work that I couldn't discuss with Curt because of the tion to admit when he does not know the answer to a question.... confidentiality involved and yet I felt that I should be able to He must admit that he is relying on his own interpretation." discuss certain things with my husband." Still, they were able to Newton's example has served me well this summer. I conclude work through that problem and can belter appreciate their my tour by admitting to the visitors that I do not pretend to know experience at the park because of it. all of the secrets of the founding fathers in their establishment of our nation but that we can be certain of one thing, namely that the JYly "performance" in the Assembly room has ended. We common people who represent the fountain of political authority make our way to the second floor of the building where I invite in our country today are white, black, red and yellow. Regardless the visitors to take a scat on one of the benches along the walls of of our backgrounds we all enjoy the legacy handed down to us by the Long Gallery, considered by many interpreters to be the anti­ our forefathers. climax of the tour. Some of the visitors might assume as much and this is why I become intent on leaving them with something W hat is it like to be a park ranger at Independence? It is a to remember. difficult job that can be very stressful at times. Some who try it After identifying the various side chambers on the floor, I are inclined to give up too easily. But those who are most emphasize the social function of the gallery, explaining how the successful are blessed with enthusiasm, patience, a love of dancing and the banqueting of the eighteenth century took place working with people, and above all, a passionate commitment to here. Pointing to the harpsichord behind me I pose the rhetorical history. During the last six summers I have been fortunate to be question: "What would the musician play?" And I answer it by associated with some of the very best rangers, those whose ef­ silting down at the keyboard to perform Bach's Minuet in G. forts have helped to preserve the spirit and vision of our nation's Mark Newton reminds me that we are a nation of immigrants founding fathers. I am proud to be part of their effort. John and, as such, we, as interpreters, must try to be sensitive to the Adams would be proud of them too. needs and interests of the different ethnic groups that tour Independence Park. Because of his ability to speak several Bill Kashalus has been a summer seasonal ranger at different languages, including Swedish, German, French and Independence NHP for the last six years. Formerly a teacher in Hebrew, Newton has an appreciation for cultural diversity that the Philadelphia-area independent school system, Kashalus is goes unmatched at our park. But there is more to his appreciation working on a doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania.

October 1990 COURIER 15 BY DEBBIE DORTCH NPS EMPLOYEE FINDS DREAM CAREER AT CHANNEL ISLANDS

ust beyond the coast of Los Angeles you'll find elephant seals, J western gulls, morning glories, and maybe even an island fox. All feel at home in the five islands and surrounding waters that make up Channel Islands National Park and National Marine Sanctuary. Twenty-eight year old Diane Richardson, first female captain for NPS, also feels at home in this park, especially since she has always loved being close to the water. As a girl, Diane adored the California coast, but access to the water wasn't easy after her parents moved to inland New York. So when she was ready for college, she chose to return to her native California and attend the University of California, Santa Barbara. In between all those required courses, Diane managed to fit in one course that was really fun —"Basic Scuba Diving." She admits that she took the course simply because "it was something I'd always wanted to do." relief operator. Diane now About a year after Diane received her scuba diver certification, serves as a full-time boat she took a job working on a local dive boat during the summer operator of the 56-foot Ranger. between her junior and senior years. When classes began in the "It was very refreshing coming fall she kept the job part-time until graduation. She planned on to the National Park Service," attending Stanford to pursue a career in physical therapy until she she said. "I was discouraged by discovered that Stanford closed its physical therapy program. a lot of people. Here at the Park She decided to return to the dive boats "temporarily" since she Service my dream has come enjoyed the work. During that time she found she was more true. I am doing exactly what interested in working as a deckhand than a galley cook, but I've always wanted to do." opportunities were limited and Diane was repeatedly told, "Girls A typical week for Diane dur­ don't work on deck. They work in the galley." ing the summer will include a "It was frustrating to see new male counterparts come along five-day research mission and surpass me," Diane says. "The captains would take them stretching from Monday through under their wings and tutor them, while few words of wisdom Friday. All crew on the boat— were sent my way." about ten people—will live, eat, and work aboard Ranger until it Several years and many dives later, she took an advanced returns at the end of the week. diving class and received her certification as a divemaster—what Before the trip begins, Diane leads an orientation for all Diane describes as a "lifeguard for scuba divers." She then began passengers. The Friday before the trip is filled with engine and working as an instructor's assistant for two basic certification system equipment checks, the loading on of supplies, and a final classes. Her divemaster certification led to a job offer on a dive once-over to make sure everything is in order. Traveling at a boat in the Cayman Islands. By the time she returned she had speed of only ten knots (about 10 mph), the crew can't afford to enough time on board the dive boats to be able to sit for her turn back, especially if going to the farther islands such as Santa captain's license. Barbara or Santa Rosa, both of which are about five hours away. She got her license and returned to the dive boats and asked for Most of the work being done now includes research in marine training. After a great deal of resistance, she finally got her way. biology and archaeology. All research is done by scuba divers. "I think I really surprised a lot of people and crushed a few male Diane says she occasionally dives and helps out, but her main egos," Diane said. She is strong for her five-foot frame, but she is responsibility is to ensure the safety of all those aboard. After not afraid to admit that pulling anchors and hoisting air tanks finding the spot that looks best for study, she carefully sets two requires more technique than brawn. anchors. Because the divers are attached to the boat with a Feeling discouraged because of her sex, Diane left the privately surface supplied air hose (umbilical), the movement of the boat owned dive boats. She felt she had climbed the career ladder as must not interfere with the divers or the work they are doing. far as the management would allow her. The busiest months for Diane last from June to November. At She then joined the Park Service as a second captain and a other times, her responsibilities vary. She may be kept busy

16 COURIER October 1990 transporting personnel and equipment to one of the islands, no plans to leave Channel Islands any time soon. As a two-year assisting in other types of research, or leading a cruise for veteran of the Park Service, she admits she still has more to learn. politicians or other government personnel. Although the Park Service's promotion system encourages Debbie Dortch is the newest member of the WASO public affairs employees to rotate through different parks, Diane says she has staff. This is her first article for the Courier.

An Officer Named Kelcy

In October 1988, when Kelcy Stefansson became a students through mud as if they were on dirt bikes. And of motorcycle officer with the U.S. Park Police in Washington, course, students have to put the Harleys down, then be able DC, she made history. She is the first woman member of to pick them back up. They are taught to rock the machines the motor unit, which has been in existence for more than on the engine guards to get them upright sixty years. Kelcy passed the course and filled one of the thirty-one Bom in Salt Lake City, UT, in 1956, Kelcy grew up in the positions on the motor squad. She rides between 200-500 suburbs of the nation's capital, wanting to be a veterinarian. miles per week, most of it in heavy city traffic. As a motor She attended college in Selon Hill, PA, and earned her BA officer, Kelcy receives hazardous duty pay. in biology. For a time, she worked in In addition to traffic and patrol the field of animal research, then duties, motor squad members became a computer operator. Bored participate in motorcade escorts for with office work, she took the U.S. the President and visiting dignitaries. Park Police Officer examinations. They work closely with the Secret She received her appointment in Service and the State Department, as January 1984, and proudly wears well as the D.C. Metropolitan Police. badge no. 183. Kelcy takes her assigned Harley- During her first four months on the Davidson FLHTP home after work. force, Kelcy underwent recruit Motor officers are on call for training at the Federal Law emergencies during off-duty hours. Enforcement Training Center in Working the day shift, Kelcy gets up Brunswick, GA, and, following that, a at 4 am. and leaves home at 5 to make two-month period of on-the-job the 5;45 roll call When assigned to training in the Washington area. the evening shift, she doesn't get home Since then, she has worked various until about 11 p.m. During the winter uniform and plainclothes assignments. months, sidecars are attached to the Prior to becoming a motorcycle motorcycles for riding stability, officer, Kelcy drove a police cruiser because motor officers ride every day along the George Washington of the year, regardless of weather, Memorial Parkway in Virginia. Cold weather riding gear includes an Kelcy is quite modest about her accomplishments. She old fashioned canvas lap robe, which provides some heat has received numerous commendations for outstanding po­ from the engine for the lower body. lice work, is an expert shot with a revolver, and has arrested Kelcy enjoys her assignment so much that she recently armed criminals. passed up an opportunity to compete for promotion to In 1984, Kelcy learned to ride a 250 Honda and obtained sergeant. Asked about her career goals, she says she's just her motorcycle operator's license. After serving the required taking one day at a time. Although one of her three sisters is three years on the force, she applied for the Harley-equipped acting warden at a stale prison, she has no other law motorcycle squad. Her rating of "well qualified" was based enforcement officers in her family. She's also the only one on evaluation of her past work performance, and the results who rides a motorcycle. However her husband and the rest of a written examination. She was selected to undergo the of the family support what she's doing. required training. When Kelcy is off duty, she enjoys music, playing sofiball The police motorcycle training course is two weeks long and golf, and riding her own motorcycle, of course. and is conducted by force instructors. In addition to normal Jack Sands classroom instruction and negotiating cone courses, exten­ sive training is given in handling the big Harley police Note: This article is reprinted with permission from the machines bom on and off the road. Instructors direct the November/December 1989 issue ofHartev Women.

October 1990 COURIER 17 BY BARBARA PHILLIPS A SENSE OF SOLITUDE

Friday, August JO, 1990,6:00 A.M. Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley Lower River Campground, Administration Campsite G

ent poles clanked and clinkcty- T clinked. My eyes popped open and I puzzled at all the commotion outside my canvas home. Next I heard the voice of campground host Tom Bennett alerting each campsite that the area was being evacuated. He informed all to be ready to leave in one half hour, then distributed an instruction sheet explaining when to leave and why not to leave before the indicated lime. People began moving quickly and quietly, without grumbling, helping each other: "Here, let me squish down that air mattress for you." Some shook hands, said "farewell." An air of graceful acceptance set the mood of the morning. Again campground host Bennett circled the grounds, this time on bicycle. He busily answered questions and checked to see if campers were packing. One mother asked if the money would be refunded. The answer was yes—there would be the choice of coming back at a later date or a monetary refund. Luckily NPS volunteers were not ordered to leave at this time. I sat and watched as the pickups, the RVs, the trailers, the cars loaded down with children's bicycles quietly and softly left Yosemite Valley. There were no horns honking, no Illustration by Ann Smyth yelling, no speeding, no brakes squealing, no gridlock—just slowly, persistently, the vehicles rolled along the exit road. By 8 a.m. I decided to go to the Ahwahnee Hotel and pick up gave evidence of the 4,000 stranded day-use visitors who had some coffee and a news update. Milkweed, thistles and grasses slept in lobbies, lounges, and on floors throughout the glistened with dew in the morning sun as I ambled across the valley—evidence also of the care and thoughtfulness exhibited Ahwahnee meadow. A healthy looking bushy-tailed coyote by the Yosemite Park and Curry Company and the National sauntered by. We nodded at each other and continued on our Park Service. separate way. The great dining hall looked inviting. Each table was set with Closer to the hotel a handsome muledcer buck breakfasted on gleaming glasses, dishes and fresh linens. But again, there were tasty young bush buds. His four-point antlers, still in velvet, no people. softly glimmered in the early shafts of light. I proceeded to the women's rest room on the mezzanine floor. Circling around on another path so as not to disturb him, I It was completely empty—no lines. I had my choice of any stall discovered an open door into the great lounge. There was not a I wanted. The emptiness was so exhilarating I began picking up person to be seen. Stacks of neatly folded blankets and sheets the dirty paper towels, wiping the sink counters, lining up the

18 COURIER October 1990 misplaced tissue boxes, tucking the green vanity benches in the fire crews held the flames away from Highway 140. The place. It crossed my mind to stand all the commode scats at fewer personnel to deal with, the easier the firefighters could attention like Andy Griffith in No Time For Sergeants. But that carry on the real work. would have been going too far. The next step was to empty my big blue tent—as fast as Back downstairs and continuing along the main hallway possible—so that Ben Mosley, a fellow volunteer, could store it towards the front desk I was approached by a person for the first in his tent top cabin. Frantically we stuffed articles in car trunks, time. The concierge appeared, a worried look on her face. "Are back scats, front seats, under seats, between seats. A light you a guest at the hotel? You were supposed to leave a long time dusting of ash began to settle on the bags and boxes. ago." The San Francisco KGO-TV news team materialized When she understood that I was an NPS volunteer she went unexpectedly. Their assignment was to cover the evacuation. on to explain that, yes, all Yosemite Valley facilities were being The "big blue" was the only tent standing in the vacant evacuated—first the Ahwahnce, then Yosemite Lodge, followed campground. Sure enough, we were packing. We were selected by Curry Village and the campgrounds. to be interviewed. Bits of the scene were scheduled for the 5, 6 Outside again I strolled along the flagstone terrace to the and 11 o'clock news. syncopated beat of the automatic lawn sprinklers. The only other So it was that our exodus began at 12:30. Our little caravan individuals in sight were two busboys, one tidying up die terrace consisted of three overladen cars—Ben, then Pat Mosley tables and the other placing blankets in big laundry baskets. (curator of LeConte Memorial Lodge), then me. The sunbeams filtered through the oak, dogwood, maple and We were the only autos on the road. It felt as though we were pine greenery. All was soft and quiet and muffled. The coyote the last to leave the valley. No cars or people were anywhere and buck had moseyed on to other interests while back at the along the way. Once I spotted a clutch of yellow-suited fire road the vehicles rolled on and on, respectfully...relentlessly. fighters standing on a path. They just looked at us with big By 10 a.m. the campgrounds were vacant; the road passing white eyes set in haggard blackened faces. by was empty. The shafts of light played gently through the tall The smoke thickened as we ncared El Portal. Everything was douglas fir and incense cedar. Ground squirrels scurried up and shades of grey—the air, the sky, the steep canyon walls. Puffs of down and around, curiously inspecting all the open ground and white smoke spiralcd skyward intermittently. It felt like we were nooks and crannies. Screeching steller jays provided the only driving into the fire. I wondered if Ben had taken the right road, sound as they darted and hopped about. They all seemed to be but there was no one to stop and ask. questioning the situation. "Hey, where did everyone go? Where's The ranger at the entrance station was a welcome sight as he the food?" stood in the middle of the road. He heard our story and rolled Whoever conceived the evacuation plan did a masterful job. his arm tircdly forward. "Just keep on drivin'." One example of clear thinking was the ban on alcohol. No liquor El Portal was silent and grey. A quick glimpse of a patch of was available at the stores and restaurants after Thursday green lawn and the blue of a motel pool punctuated the afternoon. Full credit goes to the National Park Service, the monotone landscape. We drove on, just three little cars rolling Yosemite Park and Curry Co., the fire crews and certainly the along the river road. Each of us had a jug of water and wet visitors. Each person had a part in the drama. They did it handkerchiefs to hold to our nose from time to time. willingly, efficiently, and with loving care. The haze started to lift as we turned and left the river at Bear Now the special feeling of the place began to make itself Creek. We climbed up and on to Mariposa. The sun was felt—this healing land, this temple, this extraordinary spot in shining; the people mingling. We decided to push on home to John Muir's Range of Light. I sat on a log by the river and Concord and Martinez. Sure, the lure of a clean shower, clean listened to the "music of the Merced," as Muir called it. Across sheets, clean air was enticing. But hey...what we really wanted the water the housekeeping units were empty. The foot bridge was to see ourselves on the evening news! spanned the rapids in solitude. Again, the only sound was the squawking steller jays. Barbara Phillips has worked as a seasonal NPS ranger and vol­ Surely this was a sight few people have experienced— unteer since 1981. Her work has taken her to John Muir NHS, Yosemite Valley, quiet and grand. As I sat by the musical Golden Gate NRA (Marin Headlands) and Haleakala NP. She Merced, indeed, the water, the tall trees, the granite began to volunteered this summer for the Happy Isles Nature Center work their magic. Their message permeated the air. It occurred Children's Program in Yosemite Valley. to me that they probably spoke to us all the time, that on some level every visitor instinctively feels the words. It's just that so often they are drowned out by our noise. Noon approached—the air became thick with diffused smoke. Neither Half Dome nor El Capitan were visible. Fellow volunteers and I discussed leaving. The air quality deteriorated, and we remembered the gusty winds of the previous afternoon. Thunder and lightening storms were predicted again. Our little group came to a consensus. Better to pack up and get out while

October 1990 COURIER 19 BY MARY MALLEN NEW DIRECTIONS

ave you ever wished you were a fly on the wall? Some­ H times you can almost predict how a conversation will go— or at least you hope you can.

Kitty: Here we are a family of four that's been stuck on the in­ terstate. Bart: Yes, and now we're on a beautiful roadway, but we have no idea where we are. We need to find help! You look for signs; we'll take the next exit and try to figure out where we are. uperintendent Kitty Roberts (I) and Chief Ranger Bart Truesdell Brad: I need to go to the bathroom. S unveil an important change to park signboards. Mary: Me, too, and I'm hungry. Kitty: Oh look, there's a sign that says "Visitor Information" and administrative offices were situated at the headquarters site, next right! thus making it a less than ideal visitor service area. Soon after Bart: Great! Let's take it. Trucsdell's arrival he wrote out a 10-238, requesting funding for a parkway visitor center. You've just read part of a conversation exchanged along the Although the funding did not materialize, the idea was not George Washington Memorial Parkway as we prepared to unveil forgotten. Newly appointed Superintendent Kitty Roberts blew directional signs for the new visitor's center. the dust off the proposal, committed operating funds to rent a Caught up in the spirit of the moment Superintendent Kitty trailer and construct signs, and approved the location of the Roberts, Chief Ranger Bart Truesdell, and Seasonal Ranger visitor center. Brad Saum enacted a scene we hope will be repeated frequently. The visitor center opened in 1990, appropriate to the No, not that people are lost, but that, when they are, a ranger parkway's 60th anniversary as part of the national park system. will be able to assist them. Built as a commemorative roadway, it begins at Mount Vernon Long a dream and now a reality, the George Washington Me­ and follows Virginia's Potomac River shoreline for 25 miles; morial Parkway opened its first visitor's center on July 20. there is also a short seven-mile segment across the river in Although humble in scope (a simple trailer), the new facility Maryland, known as the Clara Barton Parkway. will work to serve the needs of the more than four million More than a road, the parkway was established to protect the people who visit the parkway annually. Potomac River shoreline and watershed from pollution and Eight years ago, Bart Truesdell came to the parkway as its commercial development. During the past 60 years, it has grown chief ranger. He noticed how many people stopped by parkway to include a variety of natural, cultural, and recreational areas. headquarters looking for assistance. But the maintenance yard The park administers two historic houses—Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee memorial; and Clara Barton NHS—plus two Presidential memorials—Theodore Roosevelt Island and Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove. Great Falls Park, a scenic 800-acre area, protects the spectacular falls of the Potomac River and the remains of the Patowmack Canal, a 19th-century engineering feat conceived and proposed by George Washington. Glen Echo Park, a cultural arts park, also is managed by the parkway. Tidal marshes, the Iwo Jima Memorial, hiking and biking trails—these are just a sampling of the areas visitors enjoy while travelling on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. So, as you can see, the rangers at our new visitor' center will have plenty of directions to give and places to interpret.

Mary Mallen is the parkway's interpretive specialist. She was typical day for those travelling the George Washington the fourth occupant of the car whose conversation was recorded A Memorial Parkway. by that proverbial fly on the wall.

20 COURIER October 1990 PARK BRIEFS

he 50th anniversary 1860s, and made the war between T of Manassas NBP the North and South come alive. It was a time to reflect on the preser­ made me realize that this war was vation and protection of sites not fought by soldiers on some far linked to the Manassas and Bull away battlefield, but by Ameri­ Run battles. One of the commem­ cans who were cousins, uncles, orative activities was a writing fathers, sons, brothers, and contest for which there were 301 friends, fighting in people's fields entries. Students visiting the bat­ and backyards. The stories about tlefield addressed the topic, "what Mrs. Henry and the McLeans em­ the battlefield means to me." phasized how the Civil War was The difficult job of culling the everyone's battle. Mrs. Henry was entries for the first, second, and an old woman, confined to her third place prize winners went to bed, who was killed by a stray Ranger Keith Snyder, Superinten­ bullet. The McLeans were a dent Ken Apschnikat and Prince Manassas family who had a can­ William County teacher Carolyn non ball fall in their soup. In Vir­ Swain. After much deliberation, ginia, the Civil War was part of they selected Jill Kerr of Haycock everyday life. Elementary School in Falls Seeing all the weapons and can­ Church, VA, as the first place nons at Manassas made me aware winner. An award ceremony was of the terrible harm people do to held on June 8 at the school where one another to get their own way. Keith Snyder presented Jill with a The memorials and statues dedi­ personalized historical plaque cated to all the soldiers and produced by Color-Ad Inc., con­ officers who died during the bat­ test sponsors. What follows are tles made me feel both sadness Jill's impressions of the battle— and admiration. I felt sad because what it means to her. of the pain and suffering these "Many young Americans died men went through, and admiration at Manassas fighting for what because they risked their lives to they believed in. In 1861 and make life better for everyone else. 1862, Manassas was the site of Manassas played an important two major Civil War battles. Both role in the history of this country. times the Confederates walked Today it reminds visitors of the away with the victory. pain, sorrows and confusion of Visiting the Manassas battle­ war, and makes them think about field brought me back to the what they value."

outh Rim District pa­ law enforcement incident, or became interested in the park's oe Abbrescia is the S trol rangers at Grand other calls for assistance. This bicycle patrol program, and J second guest artist to Canyon NP have established a relatively new mode of patrol has donated three all-terrain moun­ work with Glacier National Park bicycle patrol program to re­ been well received. It has the tain bikes, four helmets, and Associates, the first being Mon­ spond to emergencies. Bicycle added advantage of being other equipment. Superintendent tana artist Mark Ogle, who began mounted rangers, unrestricted by environmentally safe. John H. Davis and Ranger Steve the relationship between Glacier vehicle traffic, can be the first Specialized Bicycles of Stockdale accepted the bikes NP and the arts last year with the emergency service personnel to Morgan Hill, CA, a leading man­ from John Strnad of Cosmic loan of his oil painting, "Heav­ arrive at the scene of an accident. ufacturer of all-terrain bicycles. Cycle, a local dealer. en's Peak." Now Abbrescia, who is consid­ ho says historic basement to include artifacts range to cattle grazing, and the ered one of America's most W sites can't interpret made from plant or animal materi­ introduction of exotic plant accomplished contemporary biodiversity? For the annual al. Simple labels added basic in­ species such as sainfoin (forage) impressionist painters, has done Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS July formation about the items and or spotted knapweed (considered the same with his painting, birthday celebration, the their once-living source. Next, a noxious). "Spring's Mountain Kingdom," interpretive and curatorial divi­ notebook of excerpts from Johnny Of the approximately 1,400 which depicts Swiftcurrent Lake sions developed just that—a dis­ Grant's memoirs and Conrad people who visited the site that shrouded in a spring snowstorm. play on the variety of life. Kohrs' autobiography highlighted weekend, almost 800 enjoyed the The project was three-fold. historic uses of living things. Fi­ display. First, Supervisory Ranger Neysa nally, visitors received a site bul­ So be encouraged! Now who'd Dickey and Curator Randi Sue letin covering human influences like to tackle global warming? Bry rearranged items in display on area biodiversity: the near ex­ cabinets in the ranchhouse tinction of bison after opening the

October 1990 COURIER 21 PARK BRIEFS

recent event brought hat is 630 feet tall, A"more power people W 630 feet wide, weights 43,000 tons, and is cele­ to town at one lime than they've brating its 25th anniversary? had since Lyndon Johnson had his Why, it's the Gateway Arch, of cabinet here," noted Congressman course, the dominant feature of J. J. Pickle. The event was a press the Jefferson National Expan­ conference in which Congressman sion Memorial in St. Louis, Pickle announced the transfer of MO. the former LBJ Memorial Hospital and related property to The memorial, dedicated to the National Park Service. "I hate Thomas Jefferson's dream of the waste, and that's been happening United States' westward expan­ with the LBJ Hospital," said Mrs. sion and to the courageous ex­ Johnson of the hospital that her plorers and settlers who made the husband, Lyndon Johnson, funded dream a reality, is considered before leaving the presidential America's "Gateway to the office in 1969. NPS Associate West." In 1935 the old St. Louis The first stainless steel section inches of sway when hit at such Director Jerry Rogers accepted riverfront was selected to com­ was set in place February 1963, velocity. the transfer document. memorate 19th-century westward the last on October 28, 1965. The park also includes an un­ Representatives of the General expansion. An area of some 40 The Arch takes the shape of an derground visitor center that Services Administration and the blocks was purchased and all inverted catenary curve, the form houses the Museum of Westward Department of Housing and buildings were cleared. Then in created by a heavy chain hang­ Expansion. A movie about the Urban Development participated 1947 nationwide competition re­ ing freely between two supports. construction of the Arch is pre­ in the transfer announcement. sulted in the selection of a design Reinforced concrete foundations sented in the theater. Plans now LBJ NHP Superintendent for the memorial, created by the go 60 feet into the ground and are underway for a second thea­ Melody Webb stated that plans are late architect Ecro Saarinen. extend 30 feet into bedrock, con­ ter with a large-screen format. being made to renovate and Hundreds of St. Louis citizens tributing substantially to the The memorial also is developing develop the building and grounds who watched with awe as the Arch's structural strength—it can plans to display an Indian peace into a new visitor center. When giant arch began to take shape withstand winds of 150 miles- medal exhibit. completed, the building will must have wondered if the two per-hour, exhibiting only 18 Denise Stuhr provide an exhibit area, an legs would ever meet at the top. auditorium, and a sales area for interpreting the Texas Hill elebrating twenty- form of tan envelopes printed containing a sheet of information Country and its influence on C years of operation, with a sketch of the South on the history of the park's Lyndon Johnson. The park Sleeping Bear Dunes NL , in Manitou Lighthouse by local authorization October 21, 1970. headquarters, library and cooperation with Eastern artist Louise Bass. Bearing The July date was chosen curatorial storage will also be National Park & Monument proper postage and the special because twenty years before the relocated to this building. Association, issued a cancellation, the envelopes were bill to authorize the lakeshore Congressman Pickle has already commemorative cachet in the sealed in plastic sleeves was introduced into Congress. proposed an amendment to the FY 91 budget to fund the conversion. In her comments at the title ince 1976, the interactive, the new exhibits have depicted in the mural are set transfer ceremony, Mrs. Johnson S museum exhibits in caught the fancy of visitors, below the paintings, while stated, "With a salute to the past, Indiana Dunes NL's Kemil especially young ones. Wrote one plexiglass cutouts of species we are looking to the future." Road Visitor Center have been mother in an appreciative letter to eradicated from the dunes form RebaC. Robards telling the park's resource story. the superintendent, "...The hands- a ghostly mobile above. In the Last year. Superintendent Dale B. on experience for the youngsters center of the room a table-sized Engquist decided it was time for a meant that I heard, 'But I'm not plaster model of a sand dune change. He challenged his ready to go yet.' In fact, after sev­ provides a stage for explaining interpretive staff to produce new eral days of searching for a to interested visitors and school exhibits: "See if you can come up picture of a lizard for a school groups the dynamics of dune with something fascinating and project, the etching and poem of formation and maintenance. On educational. Let's try a new the six-lined racerunncr provided all four sides of the model, dune approach." With oversight by just what was needed." animals are sketched in relief. Public Programs Manager Highlight of the recently- Supplies of paper and crayons Warren Snyder, Visitor Center installed exhibits is a thirty-one are kept handy, providing visi­ Supervisor Bob Daum has pro­ foot long acrylic mural of dune tors the chance to make CTayon duced an array of fascinating succession and wetland scenes. rubbings of a Fowler's toad, a exhibits that neatly fill the bill. Narrative panels and wooden heron or even a tiger beetle. Highly visual, tactile and carvings of several animals Jack Arnold

22 COURIER October 1990 NPS PEOPLE

parks and recreation. "It was something special NEWS AWARDS to be honored in my place of birth for work in a field that has been so rewarding," she said. Not everything in Adair is the same. Her Canyonlands NP biologist Jayne Belnap re­ high school has moved and consolidated with cently won the annual $500 Jerry Rum burg Casey, and the colors are no longer red and Memorial Award, established by the Canyon- black. But the trip over the parade route lands Natural History Association in memory brought back memories. It took her past the of the former Canyonlands chief interpreter home she lived in from age four. "There were killed in a 1987 automobile accident. two children watching the parade from the Belnap, a leader in the study of microbiotic yard, and I asked if they lived there," Lorraine soil crusts, was recognized for her work in a said. "They said they did, and I told them that I area of major importance to the Service as the grew up in that house. They seemed sur­ Sonia DaCosta recently joined the National NPS evaluates external threats to parks. The prised." Capital Region team as the new Hispanic Em­ organisms comprising microbiotic soil crusts Ben Moffett ployment Program Manager. Prior to accept­ are exceptionally sensitive to environmental ing the assignment, DaCosta completed an changes and, as a result, become key indicators equal employment opportunity (EEO) intern­ of a park's health. ship with the Department of the Army at Ft. Jayne recently spent six months pursuing a Zenophon (Zenny) Speronis' many years Bliss, TX. There she received training in all as­ PhD on the effects of air pollution and acid of volunteer service to Lowell NHP were rec­ pects of the equal opportunity program. When deposition on microbiotic crusts. The summer ognized in July as NA RD Gerald Patten permanently placed in an equal opportunity 1990 issue of Park Science presents her de­ named him the region's first Volunteer of the specialist position, she assumed the EEO com­ tailed description of the role of microbiotic Year. Speronis' efforts in Lowell's behalf be­ plaints and the Hispanic Employment Program crusts in the ecosystem. gan even before the NPS became part of the as her primary responsibilities. city in 1978. As General Chairman of the Low­ NCR looks forward to benefitting from Da- ell Regatta Festival Committee, Speronis has Costa's experience as she works to enhance the organized ethnic festivals, celebrity events, pa­ region's Hispanic Employment program. Many years ago, on parade days, Lorraine rades, concerts, and civic events throughout Mintzmyer would put on her flashy red and the years. His efforts were among those that black uniform and strut down Highway 6 in led to the establishment of the national histori­ Adair, IA, proudly blowing on a baritone horn cal park. Mid-Atlantic RD James W. Coleman, Jr., as she marched with her high school band. As a management volunteer, Speronis re­ has named Marilyn H. Paris as the new super­ Recently she was in another parade on High­ sponded to a call for help from the park in intendent of Fort Necessity NB. Paris comes way 6, but this time she didn't march. She rode 1986 when the tour barge operator decided not from the superintendency of Horseshoe Bend in the back of a convertible, and waved to the to operate his boats just three weeks before the NMP where she has served since 1987. She re­ crowd as grand marshal of the 35th annual park's summer season. Working to create an places William Fink, who became superinten­ Jesse James Chuck Wagon Days celebration. agreement with the park and the Regatta Com­ dent of Isle Royale NP in April. During the in­ And her photograph, five columns wide, mittee, Speronis set up a boat program that terim, Laurie Coughlan, Gettysburg NMP's adorned the top of page one in The Adair continues in operation today. assistant chief of interpretation & visitor ser­ News. During the celebration, Mintzmyer was Since 1983, Speronis has spent some 2,100 vices, has served as acting superintendent. honored for her contributions in the field of Paris began her career as a seasonal ranger at Kings Mountain NMP in 1975, and has worked at Lincoln Home NHS and Chicka- mauga-Chattanooga NMP, among other areas.

Linda Toms has joined the staff of Denali NP as the new assistant superintendent. She transferred from the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP, after 22 years of NPS experience in park operations, administration, and management. Prior to her transfer, she received the coveted Justice William O. Douglas Award. Estab­ lished to recognize exceptional service as a memorial to Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas who led the fight to protect and preserve the canal, the award has been given only five times in its fifteen-year history. Martin Luther King Jr. NHS ranger inter­ preter Altha G. Wilson was married August 18 to Calvin B. Trowell of Augusta, GA.

October 1990 COURIER 23 NPS PEOPLE

volunteer hours on park events. He officially logs 300 hours each year, but spends many more promoting the park and its programs to every segment of the local community. Karen Sweeny-Justice

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) has been selected to receive the Secre­ tary of the Interior's Take Pride in America award. This is the third time in recent weeks that SCA has been honored for organizing a volunteer effort to help restore Yellowstone NP following the 1988 wildfires. Ozark NSR rangers Dave Ratliff and Rick Drummond recently returned from a DARE instructors' course with two of the four awards presented for excellence. The rangers will work with four school systems during the (Left to right) David C. Forney, Betty Brown Miller, Warren D. Beach and Ma). Gen. James W. 1990-91 year, spending one semester with Wurman each school. "The commitment and interest shown by these two rangers is exceptional," the 200th anniversary of the laying of the cor­ said Superintendent Art Sullivan. ing the award was Society President Betty Brown Miller. In attendance were Valley nerstone. The NPS, White House, AIA and Forge NHP Superintendent Warren D. Beach White House Historical Association are coop­ and Major General James W. Wurman, Com­ erating on a book concerning White House ar­ manding General at the U.S. Army Training chitecture, written by Dr. William Scale, au­ Former Arches NP Superintendent Paul D. Center, Fort Dix. thor of The President's House, and illustrated Curaedy received the Department of the Inter­ with graphics produced through the documen­ ior's Superior Service Award. Southeast Utah tation project. Group Superintendent Harvey Wickware pre­ sented it at a gathering of employees and On June 6, at the White House, the Ameri­ friends before Guraedy departed for his new can Institute of Architects (AIA) presented a position as the superintendent of Lincoln Boy­ donation of S250,000 toward the architectural The Big Cypress NPre restoration crew re­ hood NMem. Wickware cited Guraedy's con­ documentation of the historic Executive Resi­ ceived a unit award from the Secretary of the tributions in the field of park management and dence (photo below.) Using this generous con­ Interior at the beginning of the year, in recog­ public service. tribution, the Service's Historic American nition of extraordinary initiative displayed in Buildings Survey will document the architec­ reclaiming the Turner River. Their work repre­ tural features of the structure, using measured sents the first restoration of a Florida river sys­ drawings and photography. The work is ex­ tem, and involved coordination and coopera­ On June 25, the Anti-Defamation League of pected to be completed by October 13, 1992, tion with non-federal agencies. Long identified B riai B 'rith presented their first annual Wil­ liam Howard Taft Americanism Awards in Cincinnati, OH. William Howard Taft NHS staff assisted the League with historical re­ search and photographs used during the pro­ gram. The keynote speech was delivered by author and newsman Edwin Newman. The theme of the event was the public service and civic commitment of William Howard Taft, the only person to serve as U.S. president and chief justice. Bob Moore

Valley Forge NHP employee David C. For­ ney received an award from the Society of the Descendants of Washington's Army at Valley Forge. The Society's Award of Merit recog­ nized Forney's work with the Society to plan special events and activities promoting the his­ tory of the Valley Forge encampment. Prescnt-

24 COURIER October 1990 as part of Florida's "Save Our Everglades Pro­ gram," the effort originally was estimated at Si million, but was brought in by the crew at a federal cost of under $250,000. Rather than waiting for traditional funding, Big Cypress staff obtained surplus earthmoving equipment, generated interest and cooperation from the county government, and sought and obtained funds from fines received for wetlands viola­ tions. From 1986 to 1989, the restoration crew installed and restored 23 culverts and 21 plugs in the 28 miles of canals; 800,000 cubic yards of fill was returned to the canal bed thanks to state wetland fine funds. These actions re­ stored 18,000 acres of wetlarirj.

German visitors to Mesa Verde NP have been pleasantly surprised this summer by the friendly greetings they receive "auf Deutsch" from park VIP Lorie Mancini, Mesa Verde's employee of the month for June. "You should see their faces light up when standing work promoting wise use of the na­ Lorie starts explaining everything to them in tion's public resources. The certificate of merit German," says one of Lorie's co-workers. expressed appreciation for this efforts. Ranger Lorraine Yusten. "It really makes them Jean Bray feel welcome." Superintendent Robert C. Heyder echoes these sentiments. "Lorie has donated her time RETIREMENTS selflessly and cheerfully to park visitors...the German visitors have found her to be most helpful and courteous, and her willingness to Yosemite Animal Packer Foreman Walt help the park rangers is limitless." Castle will be retiring at the end of 1990 after Lorie, a native of Frankfurt, Germany, im­ sonnel program direction that has contributed more than 30 years with the National Park Ser­ migrated to the United States in 1954. She to the successful operation of the National vice. Photographer Brian Grogan has captured learned English "the hard way." She explains, Park Service. him and the other members of the Yosemite "Everything was really different then. I had no NP pack team during the annual Mule Days idea of what to expect here." celebrauon. Featured on the front row (photo These days Lorie and Henry, her husband of above, I to r) are Gilberto Guerreo, Steve 23 years, are self-proclaimed "snowbirds." The 21st Legislature of the Territory of Ybarra, Abe Soubia, Leonard Domingues, and They left their home in Littleton, CO, last Au­ Guam recently presented former War in the David Dye; standing on the back row (I to r) gust, and spent most of the winter as VIPs at Pacific NHP Chief Ranger James E. Miculka are Dennis Dozier, Billy Fouts, Walt Castle, Organ Pipe Cactus NM. There, the Mancini's with a resolution commending him for his con­ Johanna Gehers, Kermit Radoor, and Danny worked on the road and trails crews, helping tributions to the enhancement of Guam's envi­ Kims. maintain hundreds of miles of park roadways ronment. Miculka served as the park's chief and assisting with trash pickup. "It was a killer ranger for ten years. He was the first person to but we loved it," Lorie says. "...You don't mind work in that position and served as part of the hard work when you can see that it helps." original staff. During his tenure, he developed Gary L. Hume, deputy division chief for Carolyn Landes the first interpretive programs to be presented WASO's Preservation Assistance Division, left in the Western Pacific, an underwater research federal service in September to accept the team made up of park staff and VIPs, and a re­ presidency of Neal Auction House in New source management program. Orleans, LA. The new position reflects Hume's Chief Personnel Officer Mario R. Fraire re­ sustained personal interest in fine art and ceived the Department of the Interior's Merito­ antique furniture. rious Service Award at ceremonies in August. Hume has served as deputy division chief He was recognized for successfully instituting "On behalf of the Take Pride in America since 1980, where, in addition to the daily op­ new programs and initiatives that have campaign, I am pleased to inform you that you eration of the division, he has provided techni­ strengthened grade structure and increased pay have been selected as a national semi-finalists cal assistance to various national historic land­ for lower-graded employees. His work also in the 1989 Take Pride in America national mark sites and historic districts such as has led to an innovative workforce analysis awards program." The letter to Michael E. Natchez Bluff, Maggie Walker NHS, Water- and forecasting program. Fraire was cited for Baker, trails coordinator at Santa Monica ford Historic District, and Drayton Hall. He providing professional consultation and per­ Mountains NRA, commended him for his out­ came to the Service from the Texas Historical

October 1990 COURIER 25 NPS PEOPLE

Commission in 1974. In 1976, he and W. historical landmark, which celebrated its gold­ His first career assignment came at Bryce Brown Morton III coauthored the Secretary of en anniversary on July 1,1989. Cecil was in­ Canyon NP where he started as a ranger, the Interior's Standards for Historic Preserva­ vited to be the honored guest but could not at­ moved up to ranger/naturalist, and finally to tion Projects. tend because of ill health. chief naturalist. All of his other assignments at Hume has always believed historic preserva­ Among his other design projects were the Capitol Reef NP, Big Horn Canyon NRA and tion activities at the local level are among the amphitheater and dormitory building at Mt. Death Valley NM were as chief naturalist. most exciting challenges, and he looks forward Rushmore; the visitor center at Hurricane Olson was known for his ability to take ail­ to active involvement as a private citizen in Ridge in Olympic NP; and visitor centers at ing programs and build them into healthy, ac­ New Orleans. Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Everglades, and tive ones. He was complimented at Harper's Death Valley. In addition to his noted architec­ Ferry for his writing ability. While at Capitol tural design talents, he was also a distin­ Reef NP, he and Helen wrote The Story Behind guished artist, excelling in oil painting and the Scenery, Capitol Reef. They had just re­ DEATHS pencil renderings. written captions for an updated edition. Over the years he made outstanding contri­ Virgil retired in 1986 and moved to his be­ butions to the Park Service and eventually re­ loved Colorado Mountains where he first start­ Fifi B. Cornell, 62, died June 20 at her ceived the Distinguished Service Award on ed his love affair with nature and the national home in Evergreen, CO. She worked ten years April 6,1966. parks. as an NPS architect in the Eastern Office of Cecil is survived by his wife, Bemice (2129 Helen can be reached at daughter Martha's Design and Construction, prior to the birth of Ptarmigan Drive, Unit 3, Walnut Creek, CA home (2085 Cameliam Lane, Eagan, MN her first son in 1965. She and her husband, 94595). 55122). She remarked that for her and for Vir­ Douglas Cornell Jr., moved to Evergreen in gil "the National Park Service was our life and 1974. Survivors include her husband, a son our mission." and daughter, her mother, and two sisters. Denver Service Center employee Henry Lew passed away July 22. Messages of sympa­ thy may be sent to his wife, Judy, and family at William G. (Bill) Carnes, 83, died on July Francis Xavier Carr, 84, a former Wash­ 517 South Flower, Lakewood, CO 80226. Do­ 29, after a long bout with cancer. Carnes was ington Office employee, died on October 26, nations in his memory may be sent to the bom in LaPlata, MO, in 1907. He received his 1989. He is survived by his wife, Rosemary American Liver Association, 998 Pompton BS in landscape architecture from the Univer­ Dougherty Can: (3920 Colgate Ave., Dallas, Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. sity of California. His NPS career began with a TX 75225), and three sons. A memorial dona­ temporary appointment at Sequoia NP as a sur­ tion in Can's memory may be sent to the Edu­ veyor. In 1936 he entered on duty in the Wash­ cation Trust Fund, E&AA, P.O. Box 1490, ington Office as assistant chief of design and Falls Church, VA 22041. The following ex­ Margaret Chandler, who works in NCR's construction, serving as an assistant to Tom cerpts came from the eulogy written by his Public Affairs Office, lost her son, Michael Vint son, Patrick. Robinson, 20. A local Golden Gloves Cham­ In 1955 Carnes was assigned by then direc­ "Frank was kind, gentle, and friendly. All pion, Michael had a promising career ahead of tor Conrad L. Wirth to head a seven-man task through his life he made friends where ever he him before the fatal shooting August 6. He force to develop the Mission 66 project. He went....It was while he was with the National leaves a daughter. Diamond, age 2. Expres­ served as deputy assistant director from 1959 Park Service that he met his loving, future sions of sympathy can be sent to the family at to 1962, retiring in August of that year to head wife, Rosemary, who would ultimately bless 3839 64th Avenue, Apt. #102, Landover Hills, the Department of Landscape Architecture at him with three boys. Frank was always able to MD 20784. the University of Illinois. make time for his family, teaching and demon­ Cames' teaching played a leading role in the strating things as his sons became able to un­ number of awards won by his students. Among derstand. Being always supportive and loving, the awards were the AS LA award for student he instilled in his family his kind and trusting Helen Olson, wife of Virgil Olson, requested work and a plaque for the most significant pro­ nature....He lived a full and bountiful that the following information be run to fill out fessional work of the year. In presenting the life....When his time came, he entrusted his and correct her husband's obituary, which first Landscape Architecture Foundation's Alfred soul to Jesus and passed on peacefully." appeared in the June Courier. B. LaGasse Medal to Bill in 1985, President Courtland P. Paul said "Bill's pioneer efforts in Virgil J. Olson, 63, died on April 30 from a the field of National Park landscape design and long-standing heart condition. He had farmed its application to the natural resources have E&AA Life member Cecil J. Doty died July in Minnesota for a number of years, during been inspirational to us all." 7 in Walnut Creek, CA. An outstanding archi­ which time he married Helen Minehart. They Cames also received the Department of the tect whose Park Service career covered more farmed together several years; then, during a Interior's Meritorious Service Award and Dis­ than 34 years, he started with the NPS in Okla­ vacation in Rocky Mountain NP, they dis­ tinguished Service Award. homa City, and was involved with the Service cussed how they could live in the area, enjoy Bill is survived by his wife, Vera (621 Los during the CCC days. Doty carried out assign­ its beauty and become custodians of nature. Diamantes, Green Valley, AZ 85614), his ments that took him to the Southwest and Although Virgil never went to high school, daughter, Karen, and a grandson. Those mak­ Western Regional offices, the Western Office he graduated from Colorado State University ing a memorial donation in his memory may of Design and Construction, and WASO. in 1964. While in college he spent his sum­ send it to the Education Trust Fund, E&AA, His most noted design was the Regional Of­ mers as a ranger naturalist in Rocky Mountain P.O. Box 1490, Falls Church, VA 22041. fice Building in Santa Fe, NM, now a national NP.

26 COURIER October 1990 E&AA

BUSINESS NEWS help you celebrate the 75th anniversary of the generously to the success of the event, most National Park Service. Full of interesting tid­ especially to Howard Haiges, Len Hooper, bits, from the designation dates of parks to the and Jo Ann Smith who organized the event. Thanks to a gift from Frederick L. Rath, years in service of NPS directors, the calendar Jr., and Marian Albright Schenck, reprints of colorfully depicts the shy little guys that for Horace Albright's final article, "My Trips with years have "reminded us of things we would Harold Ickes: Reminiscences of a Preserva­ rather forget," as Bob Barbee observes. The tion Pioneer," published in the Spring 1990 is­ Santa Monica Mountains NRA Superin­ calendar is available to Courier readers for sue of Washington History, have been made tendent David E. Gackenbach recently an­ S8.95 per calendar (postage and handling in­ available to E&AA. According to the fore- nounced the park area's second celebration of cluded). Send requests to E&AA, P.O. Box ward penned by Mr. Rath, the pamphlet- the annual Frank F. Kowski Memorial Golf 1490, Falls Church, VA 22041. length article contains "new information about Tournament, held October 15. The tourna­ how a series of Washington-based trips taken ment fee of $45 includes lunch, riding carts, by Albright with Secretary of Interior Harold and green fees, with $5 of each fee going to Ickes promoted the cause of historic preserva­ E&AA's Education Trust Fund. Players and tion in the Park Service." The Employees Association of Wupatki non-players alike are encouraged to attend. and Sunset Crater NMs generously donated a There will be plaques for the winners and a Handsomely bound copies of the article are check for S86.73 to the Education Trust Fund raffle with prizes ranging from a suite for two available to E&AA members at S10 each. as the association's quarterly contribution. at the Westlake Hyatt Plaza to a variety of gift Copies also are available as a benefit of Life certificates. Tournament coordinators Jean membership (remittal of $100) or of elevation Bray and Bruce Powell have brought in to the next level of special membership (S100 52,500 in sponsor donations. The tournament remittal). E&AA's Education Trust Fund once will be a big event, and Santa Monica Moun­ again is a winner. The Denver Service Center tains NRA coordinators hope to see a lot of and the Rocky Mountain Region held a silent participants there. For more information con­ auction that resulted in a donation to the fund tact Jean Bray at 30401 Agoura Road, Suite There's nothing like having the right cal­ of $1,727. The money arrived just in time for 100, Agoura Hills, CA 91301. endar to set the tone for the new year. Tearing the fall round of school loans and was very away the wrapping and flipping through the welcome. first pictures carries with it all the excitement E&AA thanks everyone at the service cen­ and promise of the months ahead. This year ter and the regional office who contributed so MEMBER NEWS let Keith Hoofnagle's rangeroons calendar Why were national parks created? Some­ where in musty legal documents it says they were created for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the United States. A beautiful dream exists that they were created to maintain forever, nature in its wild­ est, most primitive state, without stroke or strait. The government has spent millions of dol­ lars to make them available to visitors, who were assured that everything would be done for their benefit and enjoyment. To this end roads and trails have been constructed, build­ ings erected and many other things done, in­ cluding commercializing of everything in sight. Which plan shall be maintained? William Gladstone Steel (1932)

If this question bothered the "Granddaddy" of Crater Lake NP (established May 1902) in 1932, is it any wonder the question is still asked today? What would Will Steel say on the eve of the National Park Service's diamond anniversary? The national park system has grown in numbers and tremendous acreage. Billions of dollars have been spent to make the parks available to visitors. Hundreds of millions of visitors have enjoyed the "crown jewels." But

October 1990 COURIER 27 E&AA

what about the future? home in Grand Lake, CO. Ida, his wife of 49 described his activities. Are we going to build more roads and trails, years, and their two sons had a hard time de­ "During his 30 years as a park ranger, An­ buildings, campgrounds, and parking areas for ciding what to get Bill for this important birth­ thony (Tony) Stark developed a skill for draft­ more cars? day celebration. When they decided on ing regulations and getting them through to On the threshold of the diamond anniver­ E&AA Life membership, a certificate was Washington. He used his talent again after his sary are the politicians and planners going to prepared immediately and mailed out in time retirement, when he sat on the East Tennessee insist on more facilities, so more millions can to reach Bill on his big day. Coalition on Advocacy's subcommittee on be assured that everything will be done for nursing-home reform. Stark soon got involved their benefit and enjoyment? in drafting legislation for the state on these George W. Fry critical issues; in the process, he became Curtis Hooper O'Sullivan has been ap­ chairman of the new Tennessee Coalition for pointed to a three-year term on the Napa City/ Nursing Home Reform. (He is also chairman County Library Commission by the town of of the AARP State Legislative Committee.) A private ceremony was held in mid- Yountville. He also was re-elected to a two- The first major piece of legislation took effect August that celebrated the life of Horace Alb­ year term as president of the Veterans Home in 1987. As a nursing-home ombudsman in right through the dedication in his memory of Historians, with extra duty as Executive Di­ East Tennessee, Stark notes the needs still to a remote backcountry waterfall in Yellow­ rector of the Veterans Home Museum. In spite be addressed. And though challenges remain, stone NP. The newly dedicated Albright Falls of his schedule, he still finds time to see his says the activist, It's nice knowing we're grad­ is located on an unnamed stream flowing into "youngsters" and the occasional old friend vis­ ually getting things done.'" Bechler Canyon and the Bechler River from iting the Valley. the southwest. A sign was placed at the site to commemorate the dedication. Those who attended the ceremony included Albright's Connie Williams enjoyed a trip down daughter and granddaughter, Marian Schenck Donald Dayton (ret'd SWR deputy RD the East Coast of Florida and back up the and Susan Isaacson, and Albright's nephew, 1988) has been elected president of the Eldo­ West Coast. She visited St. Augustine where Stan Albright. rado Community Improvement Association, she chatted with Kay Thomas, also retired. the governing body of the subdivision where Kay keeps busy with volunteer work at a St. John Clay lives. Clay (ret'd sup't. Southern Ar­ Augustine hospital. Connie reports that she is izona Group 1987) says this makes Dayton enjoying her Kitty Hawk retirement and is L. Boyd Finch (1734 South Regina Cleri, the mayor. now learning to shoot pool. Tucson, AZ 85710, ret'd 1981 as SERO asso­ ciate RD) and his wife, Polly, are third- generation Arizonans and University of Arizo­ na grads. Thus it made perfect sense that they Volunteer Events Chairman Luis Gas- Bill and Margorie Proper have relocated would retire to that part of the country. Since tellum reported that the Southwest Golfing to Woodland Home, 1301 Virginia Ave., Har­ then Boyd has finished his first book, A Geriatrics group enjoyed another successful risonburg, VA 22801. Bill retired in 1968 as a Southwestern Land Scam: The 1859 Report of reunion with 80 alumni, employees and personnel specialists in WASO. The Mowrv City Association, published by friends, who participated in three days of golf­ Friends of the University of Arizona Library. ing and social activities. The principle event He says it "tells the story behind what has was held on April 3 when golfers competed been described as 'the rarest of all books relat­ for the travelling trophy awarded for the past ing to Arizona.'" The book is available for sale 14 years to the man and woman alumni golfer from the University of Arizona Main Library with the lowest scores under the Calloway Office, Tucson, AZ 85721. Boyd says all he system. This year the trophy went to Ed Don­ receives from publication of the book is "the nelly and Barbara Rumburg. Southwest Golf­ glory." ing Geriatrics generously donated S325 to the Education Trust Fund. Eighteen of those present also plan to attend the E&AA Biennial Reunion September 10-14 at Glacier and Wa- David and Mollie O'Kane report that his terton Lakes NPs. county design and construction crews are busy with road projects in Friday Harbor, WA. The couple still are madly photographing every­ thing in sight and even winning a few firsts The June/July Issue of Modern Maturity with the San Juan Island Camera Club. contained a series of profiles titled "Everyday Heroes," featuring men and women who rep­ resent "the vast diversity and great commit­ ment of America's volunteers." Retired NPS William L. (Bill) Fetherstone celebrated ranger, Anthony Stark was one of those pro­ his 75th birthday on August 6 at their summer filed. Here is the way in which the magazine

28 COURIER October 1990 FOUNDERS DAY -1990

ore than 200 Washington area NPS employees, alumni and their M families spent Saturday afternoon together on August 25 at Fort Hunt Park, located along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. They gathered with a common objective—to celebrate the 74th an­ niversary of the National Park Service with each other—not simply the way they spend time together during the work week, but less formally, minus the stress, laughing, playing around, remembering the organization they work for and what they contribute to it. There were speeches—but not too many. There was food—a lot of that. There were children— because every good picnic has to have chil­ dren. And there was one heart-stopping moment when the U.S. Park Police demon­ strated helicopter rapelling and all those previously mentioned children stood around, eyes popping and bodies awesomely still, as the massive machine, so many times larger than they, whirled to life and took off from the picnic grounds. All in all, the afternoon offered opportunities for a grand old time, when problems at home and problems abroad meant less for the moment than the time the hot dogs would be served and whether or not there would be enough icy cold popsicles to go around. This photo spread tells a part of the 1990 Founders Day Celebration story.

October 1990 COURIER 29 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE BULK RATE P.O. BOX 37127 THIRD-CLASS MAIL WASHINGTON, D.C. 20013-7127 POSTAGE AND FEES PAID U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR OFFICIAL BUSINESS G83 PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300