Reception Held To Raise Awareness Of Preservation Needs

The Robert E. Lee Memorial hosted a reception sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of the Interior and the National Park Foundation last Wednesday night to raise awareness of preservation needs at the park.

In remarks made as a full, harvest moon rose orange over the National Mall, Secretary Kempthorne recognized challenges associated with the multi-phased project to rehabilitate the Arlington House, dependencies and grounds.

Director Mary Bomar and National Park Foundation liaison Jeff Reinbold joined over 100 distinguished guests in a tour of the Arlington House mansion offered by park staff and volunteers in period dress.

Secretary Kempthorne also spoke eloquently about the rare nature of national park sites and the uniquely hallowed ground where Arlington sits. He recognized the stories of all the people that have been touched by the history of Arlington House, giving special recognition to Wayne Parks and his daughter, Sarah, who were in attendance at the event. Wayne is the great-great-great grandson of Jim Parks, a man enslaved at Arlington House who stayed on after the Civil War to work for Arlington National Cemetery and was eventually buried there. Wayne is also distantly related to the former, enslaved Arlington House cook George Clark.

Secretary Kempthorne closed his remarks with the words of country music singer Trace Adkins and his song, "Arlington."