Need Photographer Contacts

[fortdonelsonrelics]

I was approached by the NPS to acquire contact information for a period photographer for an event at the park.

You can send me an email with your recommendations and email would be great.

john@fortdonelsonrelics.com


Regards,
John Walsh

[plankholder]

Re: Need Photographer Contacts

I didnt know that the new park nazi was allowing events on the park anymore-we have raised quite a bit of money for the park over the past decade, yet we were told that we are no longer allowed to use the Henry Loop and all future LH will be conducted outside of the fort at the Visitor Center. I have to admit that we are a little hurt by this, to the point that we have now redirected all our funds to Franklin. At the time I was imformed of this I was holding a check for over $200 that we had raised at an off-site LH(which I immediatly tore up). Ft Donelson will always be a special place to me, and although a bit hurt by the new attitudes and lack of gratitude for what we have done, I wish them the best in all that they do. I will pass your email address on to Tim Parson, he has along history at Donelson and is a wonderful wet plate artist. Good luck-ELI GEERY

[tenfed1861]

Re: Need Photographer Contacts

I am not 100% sure of his e-mail,but get in contact with Wendell Decker.Anyone who works with him knows he is top quality,rather in-expeinsive,and a good all around person.He did my photo in my avatar.He is up in Bowling Green,KY.But when you ask him if he can come down,"only if th weather allowes me".

[plankholder]

Re: Need Photographer Contacts

Wendall, does great work, but wont come down for free-and the NPS will not allow anyone to turn a profit or charge for services on NPS property. I do have his email and home number(which I wont post publically), and have already contacted Wendall and passed along this info to him. You should hear from one or both soon.-ELI GEERY

[coastaltrash]

Re: Need Photographer Contacts

When we (The Independent Rifles) hosted the Living History at Donelson in 2006 we were told we could not use the area down by the cabins and water battery because of eagles nesting nearby. That was understandable to us, as even a Battlefield Park stand for the environmental message and dream of the NPS. So we came up with the plan for the event, including camping in that clearing, and marching the perimeter and doing Living Histories at different locations.

Now that was right when their new Sup. got the job, and he brought his family out to see us. Seemed like a nice enough (and interested guy). I certainly hope the programs have not been limited to just around the VC, and certainly hope they have not been completely done away with, considering we donated a pretty large chunk of change after that event as well (to the Friends of Fort Donelson)

[fortdonelsonrelics]

Re: Need Photographer Contacts

Thanks for the contact information and it has been forwarded to the park.

To respond to some of the postings,

The events location had been changed from the cabins to the area between the Visitor's Center. This was done for a few reasons.

1. The eagles had a large part in the decision, especially when it related to musket firing. The guidlines for an eagle nesting area, that at the time were still on the endangered species list are fairly straightforward.

2. Early on, during one of the spot visits by the superintendant at one of the living histories, a living history group had some of the men laying around on the entrenchments and one had a tent staked into one of the pits. This is a big no-no and initiated the reponse, which was to relocate the living history area in a spot where was one of the last touched spot in the park. The area was where during the 1960's-1970's there were modern house sites and infact was utilized for a ranger quarters.

3. The living history area was tried at the VC, but was found to be a bit cumbersome and was moved out towards where the Independant Rifles did their living history. (the area mentioned above)

4. The national park service does have incidental business permits which does allow for a for profit entity to function within the boundaries. The biggest hurdle in most cases is Eastern National which has a strangle-hold on most parks.

5. As far as using certain parts of the park, I'm not sure about. However, I do know that the parks feelings are that if the event is not where the public can easily view it at any given time, then it doesnt really conform to their message as it relates to their public relations goals.

I do not work for the NPS and therefore only what I have been told, which came from a reliable source and if you read through really makes pretty good sense.

The Friends of Fort Donelson is a non-profit group (which most parks have, whether be a'friends' or 'cooperating association') which I am a board member of. We did recieve the monies donated by the Independant Rifles.

I recommend that any money donated to any park that it be funneled through a 'friends' group as it will most likely be used towards the purpose in which most money is intended. If it's given to the park general fund, you well maybe buying toilet paper for the restrooms as opposed to providing funds for interpretive programs, special events, and/or preservation and grant writing, which is where the bulk of all money comes from.

John Walsh

[unclefrank]

Re: Need Photographer Contacts

The Fort Donelson event that I attended a few years back was excellent, and I would love to do it again. I hope things aren't so messed up that that doesn't happen. I will never forget the stolen pies, and the most elegent speech that Matt Woodburn made about it! :D

[fortdonelsonrelics]

Re: Need Photographer Contacts

The event that the Independent Rifles put together is still being talked about by the some of the rangers that were present to see it.

I'm positive that if organized again, it would be welcome.

John Walsh