In light of the vigils planned to support Gettysburg National Military Park and the National Park Service in general, I’d like to share a recent experience.
I traveled by bus just over a week ago to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park as the coordinator for a tour group. I’ve made this same trip a number of times over the past five years or so. Only this time it was different.
This time, upon entering the park, there was no one working in the booth where we make payment for admission. Figuring we might have been a few minutes early, we continued on, planning to pay afterward.
When we reached the area where we meet our guide, he wasn’t standing there waiting, as usual. Instead, I saw him walking up the path, away from the bus. It turned out he was heading to the restrooms to make sure they had been unlocked. When I asked him about getting maps from the tour building (as we normally would), he told me there was no one there. He said he was just happy that somebody had unlocked the restroom doors. He reached into his satchel and dug out some old maps he had saved.
He then told me that nine employees of the park had lost their jobs.
We began our tour. When we left, hours later, there was still no one in the booth. Our visit was free of charge.
Here, I thought, in microcosm, is what we’re up against. Diminished service, confused staff, general disorganization, even a loss of revenue. Toward what end?
It probably won’t be long before many of us see first-hand some manifestation of the reckless changes being made in the name of “efficiency.”
This particular inconvenience was minor. But I’d earlier learned that the international organization that plans our tours is experiencing lower numbers for other U.S. National Parks trips, as potential visitors express concern with cuts and how their visits could be affected. Just this morning, I read another story to that same effect.
Is anyone benefiting from this?
Mark Purdy, Managing Editor, has lived in Gettysburg for over 50 years. He worked for 20-plus years for ACNB Bank. He also works with Road Scholar International's Gettysburg programs and has managed the Gettysburg Beer Runners since 2013. Mark has also worked in radio, newspaper, and public relations.
Thanks for speaking out, Mark
Mark — thank you for reporting on your experience at Harper’s ferry. It is so disheartening but not surprising. The radical cuts hurt and are obviously poorly planned. We can all agree our national parks are our national treasures. Especially here in Gettysburg! It is crucial for us all to attend the vigils scheduled at the Peace Light.
I wrote a letter to Rep. John Joyce outlining my fears of a neglected Gettysburg – along with Antietam and yes, of course, Harpers Ferry. When I first visited Gettysburg around 25 years ago the neglect was evident: 60′ trees growing out of “The Slaughter Pen” and at the base of “The Triangular Field” – when I questioned someone, someone who had the absolute knowledge to give me an answer, why “The Slaughter Pen” was so overgrown AFTER the tall trees were removed the answer I received was that there was no sufficient funds to do so. Now, I can… Read more »