Fort Donelson Visitor Center

[CSuniforms]

Sorry if this makes someone angry, but it did me. Fort Donelson, a gem in our National Battlefield Parks has had its new Visitors Center in Limbo for over 9 years and counting. The present visitors Center is in a small trailer! There is a problem here all should see and read about. I am not blaming anyone or pointing fingers but this has to come to some kind of ending. Our Parks have been underfunded and under attack for years now and it just needs to end. Who can we call or talk to on this? AMEN

Follow Up to Last Week’s Story on 9 Year Ft. Donelson Visitor Center Project Rehab - Stewart County Standard

We reported last week on the never ending renovation at Fort Donelson Visitor Center. This is a follow up to the latest hold up on the project. We first reported in Sept. of 2015, work had started on a significant renovation project to improve the accessibility, sustainability and safety of the...

www.stewartcountystandard.com

 

[James Brenner]

Your congressional representatives are your best bet; particularly Republican ones. A grassroots, letter or email writing campaign involving Round Tables, reenactors, academic historians, Friends of, skirmishers, Chambers of Commerce, state and local historical societies, and any other groups/individuals you can think of is who/what needs to be involved. Don't limit it to just the history minded. Be creative and imaginative in getting the word out and recruiting letter writers. Use social media to your advantage.

The key to success is not a one-time letter. Repetition and reinforcement is crucial. Your goal is to convince your representatives that you are not a voice in the wilderness.

One other suggestion is to keep your message down to one or two lines. No staffer will read a thesis on why the park's visitor center should be finalized. All a staffer will do is compile the for/against numbers and present it to their boss. A simple statement saying that you (collectively, not you individually) want the center finished is all you need. Stay focused. Don't go off into any political tangents involving education in schools or the battle's significance or anything like that.

It will be a lot of work. Good luck.

 

[archieclement]

Not really surprising, its pretty off the beaten path so not surprised it's low priority.

I've always wondered if it would been better off as a state park.

 

[CSuniforms]

Not really surprising, its pretty off the beaten path so not surprised it's low priority.

I've always wondered if it would been better off as a state park.

I thought the same thing--- Our Parks and particularly Fort Donelson need a helping hand to get this project done, more Rangers, more Civilian input, more Volunteers for summer, and more dollars$$ for upkeep. That said someone told me, who has friends in the Park System stated that certain individuals were given 6 figure salaries and promotions if they followed certain orders out of DC. Park Rangers and Park Historians should be paid well-- AMEN.

 

[Jamieva]

Probably not the best timing to try to get nps money to rectify it.

 

[DanSBHawk]

Sounds like the contractor and the "third party construction management representative" couldn't get along.