#hatsoff2

Sueann Brown is a historical architect with the Pacific West Regional Office. In her own words…

“It is such an honor and a privilege to have a role in the preservation of the amazing cultural resources in our national parks to help “…leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations”. I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to share my knowledge of preservation with park management and maintenance staff to help them care for our historic structures and landscapes. What I love most are the opportunities I have to share my passion for preservation with students and interns. I was a student at a field school the first time I met a NPS historical architect. So, it feels great to be in that position now and possibly have a role in inspiring the next generation of cultural resource professionals.”

Sueann, we take our #HatsOff2 you and the amazing work you do in the Pacific West!

This week, we take our #HatsOff2 the DEWA Preservation Team!

Reestablished in 2014, this small group has a large responsibility for the high priority historic structures throughout the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. They perform emergency stabilization, preservation, and rehabilitation work of all kinds.  The crew works under the direction of project leader and lead preservation carpenter Mark Segro who came to DEWA from the NPS Historic Preservation Training Center in 2012.

The crew proudly stands in front of the 18th century Van Gordon House, where they recently completed a comprehensive re-roofing and exterior envelope preservation project.  Pictured from left to right are Scott Predmore, Kent Cook, Mark Segro, and Cody Sumski.

This week, we take our ‪#‎HatsOff2‬ Don Wollenhaupt, Chief of Interpretation and Education in the Southeast Region.

Alex Hernandez is the Assistant Program Manager for the Japanese American Confinement Sites Program and Regional Coordinator for the Intermountain Region of the Heritage Areas Program. While she may wear these two different hats, figuratively speaking, we’re taking our #HatsOff2 Alex in recognition of her contributions to the preservation of the story of Japanese Americans during World War II.

What does an Assistant Program Manager do? “As a historian with the National Park Service, I assist in managing federal grants that go towards preserving and interpreting U.S. confinement sites where Japanese Americans were forcibly detained during World War II. The grant projects offer opportunities for present and future generations to learn and gain inspiration from these sites.”

How do you feel about your work? “My work is incredibly fulfilling because the National Park Service and our many partners are committed to never forgetting this part of our nation’s history or the experiences of those who were incarcerated during World War II.”

Please join us in thanking Alex for her part in preserving this important American story.

This week we dig deeper into the preservation field as we salute‪ #‎HatsOff2‬ Mary S. Carroll!  Mary is Chief of Park Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (Park NAGPRA).

NAGPRA provides a process for museums and Federal agencies to resolve interests in Native American cultural items -- human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony -- among lineal descendants, Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, and Native Hawaiian organizations.

Handling these most sacred items reminds us that preservation isn’t just about buildings.

‪#‎HatsOff2‬ James Bird!

As Chief of the Tribal Preservation Program, James has grown and strengthened our partnerships with the Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs). James understands the struggles faced by many trying to protect important culture with very limited resources based on his first-hand experience developing the Eastern Cherokee THPO program. This insight that has served him well in his tenure with the National Park Service.

James' reflections on successes of the program:

Helping new tribes succeed even if it takes years of negotiation and training. Bringing in new tribes to the THPO program even though it is tempered by depreciating funding.

#Hatsoff2 Alesha Cerny!

Alesha is the National Historic Landmarks (NHL) Coordinator for Illinois and Minnesota. Together with her colleagues, Alesha works to preserve sites that embody our nation’s diverse and vibrant heritage. This includes the tomb of President Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois, and the home of aviator Charles Lindbergh in Little Falls, Minnesota.

What’s the best part of her job? “Making site visits to potential and existing [landmarks],” Alesha says. “Site visits really open the lines of communication with NHL stewards.”