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732,833
Park Visitation in the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2013 (October 1 - December 31, 2012) |
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Inauguration
 | | Park Rangers Wayne, Campbell and Medeiros, Volunteer Delinger and Ranger Welch. |
In his inaugural address, President Obama challenged all Americans, "to advance the timeless spirit once conferred to us in a spare Philadelphia hall." For visitors at that hall on January 20, a special, once-every-four-years program helped bring that spirit to life.
In celebration of the Presidential Inauguration, Independence NHP hosted a reenactment of John Adams' presidential inauguration in Congress Hall on March 4, 1797. That was a historic peaceful transfer of power in a time when power around the world was transferred only through blood lines or blood loss. The re-enactment was coordinated and introduced by Park Ranger Ed Welch. Performers included Park Rangers Steve Medeiros (portraying John Adams), Paul Campbell (as George Washington) and John Wayne (as Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth). NPS Volunteer and Eastern National employee Graham Delinger portrayed Thomas Jefferson.
Originally scheduled to be offered twice, a third, unscheduled performance was added to accommodate the crowds. The full house at each performance included some visitors with probing questions about history and world-changing events, including why the date of the inauguration changed. |
Disaster Recovery Efforts
As part of the relief and recovery efforts by the National Park Service at parks affected by Hurricane Sandy, NPS employees were invited to help their coworkers affected by the storm. Many employees lost uniforms in flooded residences or park offices. The NPS provided assistance by soliciting donations of uniforms to be distributed to affected employees.
INDE staff jumped at the opportunity. With park-wide efforts coordinated by INDE Fiscal Clerk Toneia Ragsdale (pictured here with the boxes), the park shipped box after box to the Incident Management Team at Staten Island.
The green and gray is an important part of our identity as National Park Service employees and wearing the uniform plays a significant role in helping affected parks and employees resume their normal routine.
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National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior
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The National Park service cares for the special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage
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Independence National Historical Park
143 S. Third StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19106_________________________ Comments? Write to: Jane Cowley, INHP Public Affairs Officer 143 S. Third Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 Phone: (215) 597-0060 Fax: (215) 597- 0042 Email: Jane_Cowley@nps.gov
U.S.Department of the Interior
NPS Photographers
Park Staff
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Noted Historian Gordon Wood Speaks at Independence NHP
 | | Historian Gordon Wood |
On November 1, historian and Pulitzer Prize winning author Gordon S. Wood presented a lecture in Independence National Historical Park entitled "Elections, How the Founders Did It." Wood, Professor of History Emeritus at Brown University, addressed the audience in historic Congress Hall only days before the 2012 presidential election.
Standing where John Adams stood when he took the oath of office as the nation's second president, Professor Wood spoke of the sharp contrast in the social makeup of the political leadership from the Colonial era to the years after the Revolution. He argued that society's elite, by virtue of their wealth and status, made them the de facto political leaders.
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INHP Welcomes New Staff
Employee Spotlight: Safety Specialist Rick Basey
 An Oregonian by birth, Rick started serving his country at age 19 by joining the Navy.
After a year stationed at a fire fighting school in San Diego, he transferred to the USS Virginia, the first of five ships on which he was stationed and also where he met his wife.
After 18 years in the Navy, Rick worked at a pesticide company as a welder before returning to the federal service and the Department of the Navy at Trident Refit Facility, Kings Bay, Georgia. He worked in the Safety Department on submarines, certifying tanks and enclosed spaces for safety
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| Independence NHP Park Ranger Wins Prestigious Tilden Award
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Renee Albertoli and Miles
exploring social media |
Park Ranger Renee Albertoli received the 2012 National Park Service's Freeman Tilden Award for interpretive excellence. Albertoli was honored for creating the writing enrichment program for high school students entitled "Project Write - Inspire Me!"
The Tilden Award recognizes outstanding contributions in interpretation and visitor services by National Park Service employees. Nominees were judged on creativity, originality, and positive contributions to enhancing the public's understanding of national park resources.
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EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA™
Winter Programs at Independence NHP
Hours of Operation
Winter hours are now in place. Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center, Congress Hall and the West Wing ("Great Essentials Exhibit") will be open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Old City Hall and the Franklin Court Printing Office are open daily from 11 am to 5 pm. Check the park website (www.nps.gov/inde) for additional building hours and more information on the special programs listed below.
Special Events
The Underground Railroad in Philadelphia. Every Saturday and Sunday in February, 2pm, at the Second Bank of the United States. During the 18th and 19th centuries Philadelphia was an important stop on the Underground Railroad. Learn more about the people and places connected to this important era in history during this 30- minute illustrated program.
Music of the Underground Railroad. February 2, 11 am at the Independence Visitor Center. Philadelphia tour guide and former NPS Park Ranger Joe Becton presents "Music of the Underground Railroad." This family-friendly presentation will include an explanation of the history of the music as well as a performance and demonstration.
The Chew Family Papers and the Roots of the Underground Railroad. February 16, 2 pm at the Independence Visitor Center. Join an interactive discussion about the beginnings of the Underground Railroad in Philadelphia -- a city often seen as the promised land by those seeking freedom. Led by Jason Allen, Director of Interpretation at Cliveden in Germantown.
For each of these programs, learn more at http://www.nps.gov/inde/special-programs.htm or call 800-537-7676.
Second Annual Symposium
Beyond the Proclamation: Interpreting Emancipation for Today's Youth
Saturday, February 23, 2013. In commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, Beyond the Proclamation: Interpreting Emancipation for Today's Youth is a symposium that will look past the historical facts of the Emancipation Proclamation to explore creative ways that difficult topics in history can be taught. Targeted towards K-12 educators, this day of learning encourages educators to think beyond the traditional classroom setting and focus on the multiple techniques available to motivate understanding and discussion.
To register and for information on location and pricing please visit www.friendsofindependence.org or call 215-861-4971
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Catch the Social Media Bug!
Stay up-to-date with all that's going on at Independence National Historical Park!
Look for us on social media and Youtube!
FACEBOOK: IndependenceNHP
TWITTER: IndependenceNHP
YOUTUBE: IndeNHP
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