HomeMy WebLinkAbout23.06.14 - Minutes, Antietam Battlefied Advisory Comm.Battlefield Advisory Committee
The committee met on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.
Attending the meeting: Acting Sup. Corey Wolfensberger, Chris Vincent, John Schildt,
Miriam Cunningham, Vernell Doyle, George Franks, and Gerard Kendle.
Mike Barnhart, Justin Mayhue absent.
Members of the committee introduced themselves to Acting Superintendent Corey
Wolfensberger. Corey will serve as the acting Superintendent until a new one is
selected. The position has not yet been announced on USA Jobs.
The focus of this quarterly meeting was to tour the Visitor Center as it is reaching
renovation completion.
-Entering the lobby through the larger vestibule, the large windows provide natural
light, and the overhead lights automatically adjust based on the natural light.
-The visitor contact station has two point-of-sale fee stations and two flat screen
monitors for daily park activities and events displayed. A security camera monitor
is based at the station to observe all the security cameras that have been
installed inside and outside the building.
-The restrooms are only accessible from the inside with an additional family
restroom added.
-The large lobby includes access to the stairs to the observation room, stairs to
the exhibit area, the bookstore and an elevator that provides access to all three
floors. A display wall of nine flat screen monitors will project pictures of the
battlefield and interpretive scenes of the battle. There is also a temporary exhibit
display case in the lobby to rotate artifacts.
-The bookstore has merchandise shelving areas and cabinets throughout the
space with reference to the five universal themes that will tie into their products.
-The observation room has a compass rose on the floor and a 3D circular map of
the area of operations during the Maryland Campaign. There will be an
Indigenous people interpretive area in the room as well.
-The auditorium includes new lighting, carpeting, and audio-video system.
-The staff area includes a small conference room, two offices, office space for
rangers on duty and a break area.
-The exhibit area leads visitors through the five universal themes of conflict, terror,
survival, memory, and freedom with a goal of telling a bigger story than just the
details of the battle. This will include display panels, artifacts, and interactive
displays.
-The final phases of the project include the walks and the parking area. The
walkway and curbs are currently being laid. The walks leading up to the Visitor
Center will include granite insert stones with the key events of the Civil War
leading up to Antietam with sculpture centerpiece for the Battle of Antietam. The
walk from that point will be the major events after Antietam until the war ends.
-The current projected move in date is July 17. This is when the exhibits and
artifacts will go in and the bookstore will start moving merchandise back in. The
soft opening will be August 1. This is when the doors will be open to the public
and visitor services will begin operating out of the Visitor Center. A rededication
ceremony is scheduled for September 8. The temporary modular buildings will
be removed in mid-August and that area restored.
The Strategic Plan for 2023 – 2026 is complete and available for the public. The primary
intent of this strategic plan is to articulate an overarching vision for Antietam National
Battlefield and to create a framework for setting goals and prioritizing work for the next
three to four years. Three main goals the plan will focus on is Safety, Preserve and
Protect the battlefield, and Visitor Services and Enhancing Visitor Experience.
Other Projects: HPTC continues to work on the preservation project at the Piper farm
with the wagon shed roof and at the David R. Miller house on the windows and porch.
The pavement preservation project will begin on Sept. 12. The public can expect delays
and closures as all the park roads will be resurfaced.
National Cemetery rehabilitation is part of the FY27 funding but some of the preliminary
steps have begun with some tree removal, pruning, and new planting.
The Salute to Independence cannot be held at Antietam National Battlefield in 2023 due
to ongoing construction around the Visitor Center. Contractors will be continuing work
on the exterior grading, sidewalk and exterior exhibit installation, landscaping, and
reseeding into the summer. The project will not be completed to allow the area to
reopen by July.
As to the future of holding the Salute to Independence event, the Park recognizes that
the Salute to Independence is a beloved community tradition, and as they continue to
engage in conversations about the future of this event with the Maryland Symphony
Orchestra and other stakeholders, the National Park Service’s focus will be on the
visitor experience, including safety of the public and protecting the battlefield’s natural
and cultural resources.
The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 13th, 2023.
Chris Vincent