The Cradle of American Culture: Expect the Unexpected

The Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area launched a new video and website in honor of the NPS Centennial. T he three minute video was screened on August 25 at the Atlanta Federal Center as part of South East Regional Office NPS Centennial Celebration. 

 

Mississippi Delta NHA collaborated with the Delta Center for Culture and Learning and the International Delta Blues Project at Delta State University to present an "edu-taining" night of film and music at the GRAMMY Museum in Mississippi. The film shorts created by students from Delta Hands for Hope of Shaw, MS, and Rosedale Freedom Project of Rosedale, MS, were shown at a screening of the award-winning documentary, "Take Me To the River."  The students attended after-school workshops learning film and oral history skills through a grant from Mississippi Delta NHA. They interviewed and photographed residents to learn how music influenced them and shaped local culture.

" Take Me to the River," produced by Martin Shore and created at the historic Royal Studios in Memphis, brings together multiple generations of award-winning Memphis and Mississippi Delta musicians. T he audience enjoyed performances by the Hi Rhythm section, Stax Music Academy Alumni Band, William Bell, Frayser Boy, Al Kapone, and GRAMMY winner Lawrence "Boo" Mitchell, owner of Royal Studios.  The event was free to the MDNHA community through support from the International Delta Blues Project.

	During November, Celebrations will be held at the historic Franklin Theatre, the Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, Glen Leven Farm in Nashville, the Hiwassee River Heritage Center in Charleston, the East Tennessee Historical Society in Knoxville, and the Parker's Crossroads Visitor Center.

Stephanie Toothman, NPS Associate Director, Cultural Resources, Partnerships and Science, was the keynote speaker for the 11th annual meeting of the National Aviation Heritage Alliance in the historic Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum. Woodland, one of America's first garden cemeteries, is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year.

"I am inspired by all you are doing to preserve our aviation story and sharing these special places with the children growing up here and the many visitors that help support your local economy," Dr. Toothman, said Tuesday, Aug. 23. "National Heritage Areas are one of the best ways that the National Park Service can reach new audiences and engage them where they live, work, and play."

Toothman said the NPS sees NHAs as "invaluable partners that are working to build on the linkages between our natural and cultural heritage" through community partnerships.

Toothman recognized several partners involved in the effort, including the State of Ohio, the City of Dayton, property owner Home Avenue Redevelopment LLC and the Dayton Metro Library, which has committed to build a new, $10 million branch library on the site. The Dayton Foundation is also a significant supporter.

At the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, they pride themselves in their ability to work as a team to make progress on the D&L Trail and at the National Canal Museum. 2016 has been an exciting and productive year for the team. 

Amidst working with partners to build Pennsylvania's longest trail and promote the home of Pennsylvania's only mule-drawn canal boat ride, Executive Director Elissa Garofalo received awards and accolades of note.

In March, Elissa was named a Woman of Influence by the Lehigh Valley Business. Elissa was chosen by a panel of judges based on her career accomplishments, leadership, vision, community service and mentoring. She stated, "It was an honor to be in such distinctive company, especially attending the luncheon with family, friends and co-workers."

In July, Elissa ventured to Boston for Harvard Business School's Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management. She was awarded a United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley 2016 Harvard Fellowship to attend this prestigious program and returned to the D&L with a wealth of new information and ideas.  

In September, Elissa was a nominee Outstanding Boss in the Buzz Worthy Employers of Bucks County awards. To be a nominee, Elissa had to receive positive reviews from multiple staff members on leadership and personnel management.

In October, Elissa received the Visit Bucks County award for her vision and drive to promote Bucks County Tourism over a number of years. Congratulations, Elissa! The D&L Staff

Interstate Signs in the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area

Looking for Lincoln is excited to announce installation of 12 new highway signs designed by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), l ocated along both State and Federal highways outlining the boundaries of the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area. The signs let travelers know they entered a Federally designated National Heritage Area. The signs are the culmination of a two-year effort between Looking for Lincoln and IDOT. 

To celebrate this achievement, Looking for Lincoln held celebratory events in four of our six official Gateway Communities with more planned. The Gateway Communities include: Alton, Bloomington, Charleston, Danville, Quincy, and Springfield, Illinois. In each of the Gateways, visitors find a friendly place to get information about what to do, where to stay, and places to see. From the Gateways, they are encouraged to explore the ALNHA and its nearby communities. 

In September, the Oil Region Alliance hosted more than 130 students and adults attending the Symposium on Investigative Journalism, Past and Present; Ida Tarbell and Modern Muckrakers" in Titusville, Pennsylvania. 
Gene Policinski, Executive Director of the Newseum in Washington, DC, set the stage with "Muckraking in the 20th Century," and was joined by Thomas O'Boyle with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to lead into the present with "Muckraking in the 21st Century." Authors of the two most recent biographies of Ida Tarbell gave keynote addresses: Kathleen Brady and Steve Weinberg. Journalism professors from area colleges engaged the students and guests with "New Rakes for New Muck? Investigative Journalism & its Discontents in the Digital Age?" and "What Would Ida Tarbell Say & Do if She Were Here Today." For a DVD or the speeches, contact: mblack@oilregion.org

Augusta Canal Authority receives Georgia Recreation and Preservation Award 

	The Award was received by Rebecca Rogers, Marketing Director for Augusta Canal NHA

	View the first of the videos, featuring Hubert Friday, Chief Friday's great grandson.

Youth Engagement in Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm NHA 

Wagstaff was the first woman to win the U.S. National Aerobatic Championship in 1991. Her airplane is in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. In 2004, she joined the company of Arnold, Rodgers and the Wright brothers in the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

Wilbur and Orville Wright formed the Wright Company in 1909 and built the factory near their West Dayton bicycle shop. The factory was the first in America built for manufacturing airplanes.

"Time Trekker" in Journey Through Hallowed Ground

The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership has partnered with Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and the Here's My Story firm to develop a new tour program for students, known as "Time Trekker." It uses beacons and GPS to communicate with the user, alerting them to information relevant to a character, guiding them to decision points, and identifying locations where augmented reality can be used to "see" a character in the park. 

For educators and students, a detailed summary of the choices made by each group may be provided after their return to school, giving teachers the ability to make connections between their student groups, lead discussions about the reasons behind each group's choices, and the choices of historic people.

Whether visiting Harpers Ferry Park as a school group or a family, users of the "Time Trekker" app will be directed to areas often missed by visitors. Walking around the park, on to the Appalachian Trail, and along Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers, promotes healthy living and an increased appreciation of the outdoors.

Audiences connect to Spooky side of the Revolution

The new Discover Niagara Shuttle, an initiative of the Niagara Falls NHA, reached  33,000 riders since May and assisted in doubling the Niagara Power Vista's guest attendance from 2015, awakened the interests of locals to re-explore their Niagara Falls NHA backyard and encouraging visitors to stay longer by providing an easy means to be transported to 14 destinations along a 14 mile route within the NHA  giving them more reasons to stay longer and make an increased contribution to the economy.

A visitor survey has been released for feedback and can be accessed at www.discoverniagara.org/shuttle/survey. #Enjoytheride

Contact: Ally Spongr, Project Coordinator, ally@discoverniagara.org 

Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area continues to participate in many important projects in communities along the corridor that leverage funding from partners.  Restoration of the Spring City School, built in 1899, received a $30,000 grant toward a $600,000 project. The architect, Richard C. Watkin, lived in Provo. His imprint is found on buildings throughout Utah. 

How can you help people take note of what makes your heritage area great? Show them!

For 11 years, the Erie Canalway NHC has hosted photo contests that captures the beauty and unique character of the National Heritage Corridor. In addition to sharing winning images online and in publications, they showcase them in an annual calendar that libraries throughout the 500-mile corridor help give away for free. Though the lens of winning photographers, these images offer a snapshot of what makes this 500-mile ribbon of waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes a national treasure. 

ANHA Fall Conference in Cache la Poudre NHA