Poffenberger wagon shed: needs work

Over the course of the spring, summer, and through the very late fall, I watched as the folks from the Cultural Resources Division took the Poffenberger wagon shed on as a stabilization project...they really had their work cut out for them.

When I first encountered the shed it had a huge tree growing out from one wall and half- dozen woodchuck holes had the foundation askew.

The Joseph Poffenberger farmstead is an outstanding cluster of original buildings along the jumping off point for Hooker's 6:00 a.m. advance toward the Confederate positions near Dunker Church. Saving these significant buildings was a priority for the park this season.


First things first. Establishing square...

and shoring up the structure so it doesn't expire on the operating table (talk about "intensive care").

Timbers were selected...

and new sills and beams were hand-hewn.



Great care was taken to utilize as much of the original materials as possible.


Historic mortar mixes were used in the restoration of the stone foundation.

New stones where cut by hand but the historic facing stones had been numbered to allow them to be...

carefully placed back into their original positions.

Slowly the shed began to get square again,

as new materials were married to the old,

using techniques that the centuries could not improve.



(hold your breath)

A foundation corner before...


and during the restoration process.


K.C, Keven, and Travis are only three of the many talented and dedicated professionals who preserve Antietam National Battlefield as a living legacy for generations of future Americans.

Their attention to detail and commitment to utilizing original materials and techniques is evident throughout the project. It's really been a treat to watch them work over this very productive season.

Deteriorating boards are replaced with siding cut in the manner of...

the 1860s. Slowly the look of the shed regains its appearance as the men of the First Corps saw it on the early morning of September 17, 1862.


Those men are long gone, but thanks to the efforts of skilled rangers and artisans, the shed that many of them strode past as attackers, or returned to as battered wounded, remains to march into the future.

History is with us everywhere, at Antietam National Battlefield.

Ranger Mannie

Overheard conversation

One of our wonderful volunteers shared this with me last week, the comment of an in-law at Manassas.

"Is that the brick wall where Stonewall Jackson got his nickname?"

Happy new year all.

Ranger Mannie

Jerry Ford: Seasonal Park Ranger

Being from Grand Rapids Michigan, I thought I'd post something about Grand Rapids' formost son, late President Gerald R. Ford, who, as a very young man, was a Ranger with the USNPS. But John Hoptak has already done a great job

Check out John's post at: http://48thpennsylvania.blogspot.com/

I can't get too comfortable.

Check out the blog Civil War Bookshelf, written by Dimitri Rotov.

Although I often find his posts somewhat puzzling, esoteric, and even cryptic, he often challenges the way I've viewed the history of the war (Bruce Catton being my compass and all).

Mr. Rotov continually causes me to question my assumptions, and, although this is sometimes aggravating, I believe that his assertions and arguments have made me a more critical reader and a much better Ranger.

Provocation is an essential part of interpretation, and Mr. Rotov will keep you thinking and on your toes.

The Civil War is much more than our fond memory of 54mm plastic soldiers and the Time-Life series.

Check him out at:

http://cwbn.blogspot.com/

Merry Christmas all!

Ranger Mannie

Images of a Wonderful Year (click on pix to enlarge)

Please indulge me as I post (or re-post) some of my favorite images of 2006. This event that I call "My Year of Living Rangerously" has, in fact, been a dream come true for me. Come along with me as I look back at this milestone year with some photos that really seem to symbolize the fun, delight, and affirmation of my move from Michigan to the heart of Civil War country.





Great eye contact and a farbylicious tattoo.


The Sultans of Stabilization, The Rajahs of Restoration, the Centurions of Conservation. K.C., Kevin, and Travis, all with the parks Cultural Resources Division, are just three of the many individuals who provide their time and talent to keep Antietam National Battlefield a living legacy for this, and future, generations.

Fog plus web. Battery included.



I hope that we'll see these young stewards of history, suited up as rangers one fine day.


The New York Monument: Four Views
Early morning.


Distorted by rain on a window pane.


By moonlight.


As seen by my talented artist wife (www.indepaper.com)


Here's a real conversation starter.


Lanterns mustered for the torchlight tour.


My good friend Ranger Hoptak. He and I entered the Service this summer. We're two lucky rangers. Check out his outstanding blog at: http://48thpennsylvania.blogspot.com/


Is the Mumma Farmstead what Bing Crosby was singing about for so long? "When the blue of the night meets the gold of the day..."


One morning at Gettysburg, I felt a tugging at my pant leg.


My very cool daughter, March, visiting us from Michigan.


That bird again.

Salute to Independence. Well, here's a very nice picture indeed!


Artillery Weekend.


"Are we having fun yet?" Thrilled kids in the rain outside of Dunker Church.



No, not a particularly good shot, but the very good company that I keep these days. Me with Ranger Keith and Ranger Brian just prior to Battle Anniversary weekend. I'm very proud to work with the many dedicated and wonderful professionals who continually work to make this National Park relevant to tens of thousands of visitors every year.

Join us in 2007.

Happy New Year everyone.

Ranger Mannie