GDG- Water Park proposed for Gettysburg

[The Mills]

Jim:

If this gets too political, or "on the soap box", please let me know.  

For me:  it starts at home.  I have a two-year old daughter who LOVES going to Gettysburg.  Her favorite thing is "climbing those big rocks" and the 140th NY monument on LRT.  To her:  one of her favorite things to do on a nice day is spending a day in Gettysburg climbing the rocks in Devil's Den, walking over to LRT and climbing the "Tall Tower" as she calls that monument, then having a nice picnic on the field.  

One thing she has never been allowed to do and never will be allowed to do is climb on a monument (OK, except those that have been built with the intention of climbing them, like the 140th NY and the PA Monument) or climb on a cannon.  She has wanted to, as has all kids, but she has been told not to, and as odd as it might seem, I try to explain to her why she is not allowed to climb on a monument or cannon.  She now says that "that is a monument" and doesn't try to climb on them MOST of the time.  

But she is learning that monuments and cannon have a special meaning above and beyond.  Of course:  she asks me why the other kids are allowed to climb all over the cannon and monuments and she isn't.  

Granted:  I think at age 2, she is still a little too young to start explaining the signifance of the battlefield itself, but we are trying to instill in her that the monuments, cannons, etc have a special meaning that prevents her from climbing on them.  As she gets older (at least until she is a teenager and WANTS to be around me), I am going to try to instill in her the signifance of what has occured at Gettysburg and why it has a special meaning.  

Another thing we try to do with her (again, this might sound a little odd to do with a two year old), is expose her to as much as possible.  At least once a month (usually twice a month), we try to go someplace that has had a historical significance in our country.  Some of them are smaller than others, some of them are fun for her, but some are not.  But at least we are trying to get her exposed at a young age so hopefully as she gets older, it can be a part of her life to be pround of her heritage.  

For instance:  we took her last weekend to a place that restores old trolleys and then runs those trolleys on a 1.5 mile line.  She gets the fun of riding the trolley, but also exposed to something that she won't see anywhere else.   

Now I know this would be a long term solution to the problem, but I think if more people took an approach at home to instill some respect for their heritage and history, we wouldn't see as much encroachment on our national shrines.  

I could be wrong about all of this, and my daughter, when she grows up built a water park on LRT, but I think it at least gives a better chance than not trying.

The problem to me with the NPS, Gettysburg Foundation, GMPA as far as education is:  they are only good IF people WANT to know about the battle, so you HAVE to go to them for the information, if that makes sense?  I think they are great for information if you want the information.  The NPS and all those other entities could have the most inclusive set of documentation and most informative and easily accessible forum, but if someone doesn't want that information, it does no good.  That is why I think the process needs to start at home to make the child want to love their history.  

Like I said:  I know it is a "soap-box" answer to your question.  But that is how I am at least trying to make a difference in my home.  I might fail, but I am going to at least try.  

Thanks
Andy

----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Lamason <jlamason at verizon.net>
To: 'GDG' <gettysburg at arthes.com>
Sent: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 12:38:17 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: RE: GDG- Water Park proposed for Gettysburg

Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:


Jay, and Andy, 

Ok if education is the answer, how do we help the facilitation of education
process? 

There are several groups who come to mind right off the bat. 
NPS
Gettysburg Foundation (And Friends)
GMPA 

There are at least 3 websites that I know about or more.  

My thinking, understanding, whatever is there is no sense of urgency about
this.. Look I also understand that we are all time strapped. We all have
lives. But I wonder if there is a way to bring this all together, so its
concentrated. 

One more thing. Gettysburg is just ONE of the historical sites that is
facing incredible pressure. As noted below, I live in New Jersey. Outside of
3 major area of historical impact there is only spots of historical sites
left.  Where I live in NJ I am in the MIDDLE of our First Revolution. The
War for Independence. I can in a 20 minute walk from my house, to at least 4
sites that have been either obliterated or are marked by only a story board
or two. 

My fear is that Gettysburg along with several of the other sites will become
just like here in NJ. And if we don't make a concentrated effort to save
Gettysburg, all we are going to have is the wonderful park surrounded by
McMansions, Water Parks and Casinos. 
And that scares the h*ll out of me, to the point I am almost sick. 

I look forward to your thoughts. 

Jim Lamason
Middlesex, NJ