Personal Communication in the Age of Technology

For several weeks at the Friends office, we have been experiencing issues with some of the computers. Nothing that was a state of emergency, but just the little things that can be frustrating and annoying in this age of technology.  For example, when our modem died we had to wait a few days for the replacement to arrive.  Well, we had more than enough work to keep us busy, so that getting through a day or two without a modem seemed do-able, until we realized that half of our work dealt with researching, registering and reviewing multiple groups, people and places on the internet. 

The modem arrived, we were back online, but then our computers didn’t like the new modem and refused to network with each other.  Again, we thought, not a big deal; we will get it fixed eventually.  That was until three of us were trying to work on different aspects of the same project and we were all trying to use the same computer at the same time.  Needless to say, we made sure the network was fixed immediately.  Most recently, our computers just started freezing up on us… well, there is no cure for this.  The computers are old.  So we whisper terms of endearment to them, pet them occasionally, and once in a while offer up a thanks to the powers that be.

In coping with all of the trials of the office computers, I had a constant worry about how I would be able to do my job if the computers went down.  How would I share information with the volunteers who work in the office if we cannot network?  How would I print and mail over 500 invitations for the Annual Meeting if I didn’t have a computer to help me?  Trust me, the daunting task of hand writing 500 addresses crossed my mind but was quickly dismissed. 

Through my worries and contingency plans, one thought kept coming to my mind… “How did the first members do it all without technology?”  It seemed they were constantly planning, setting up or breaking down an event every month; giving Behind the Scenes Tours to members, or sending volunteers to organizations to present slide shows of the park.  How did they do this without technology, and why were they successful?

They were successful because they believed in the cause.  They didn’t need computers, they were happier to pick up the phone and make the personal plea.  Networking was done at events with members and potential supporters.  Volunteers came in to learn and then go forth as ambassadors for the Friends; and, yes, there was someone who hand calligraphied hundreds upon thousands of invitations for all the events.   The original Friends didn’t have technology and even if they had it, I do not think they would have used it.  They understood the power of personal communication.

After weeks of computer issues, I am beginning to believe in this personal communication.  I have found myself more willing to make the call than send an email, spend time on the other side of the desk with the volunteers going through the different projects rather than putting it on the shared drive, and even writing a personal note or two to people.

I still appreciate technology, even if I have to call my computer “you sweet, old dear,” when I want it to work, and I am grateful for the advantages it gives small non-profits like the Friends of Independence. But there are lessons to be learned from the past.  Nothing can replace the personal connection we share here at the Friends and it is important to foster that relationship.  So while I am sitting here, typing out an article for the Friends blog that will be posted on the internet, I am hoping that those who read this will respond with a phone call rather than a comment - because in this age of high-speed communication, once in a while it is nice to hear a human voice.  (215-861-4971)

~ Maiti Gallen

   Program Director

One of my favorite pictures.  I admire this Friends Member in more ways than I can say

WHY I VOLUNTEER

The T-shirts…   It’s fun…   Because I can…   Because we should... 

We should support good things.  And Friends of Independence National Historic Park is a good thing.  I have been a volunteer with the Friends (regularly for three years, occasionally for several years before that) and have enjoyed playing a part in many Friends’ events – setting up lectures, greeting visitors at the July 3 concerts, planting flowers,fetching, carrying, counting money, etc.  But the one that I am most proud of is helping collect the funds to wrap Independence Hall in its Decorative Scrim.

When I first saw, from Market Street, the scrim in place, I was thrilled because instead of seeing scaffolding, poles, wires and planking -  it looked like Independence Hall.

I walk by the Hall at least twice a week and many, many times have been requested by park visitors to “take the family vacation picture”.   And not once has anyone whined about Independence Hall being under construction - mostly they are just happy to be here and pleased to have their picture taken in front of the place the United States was started.  And that’s because of the scrim.

See… I said it was a good thing.

~ Tag Brewer
   Volunteer, Member and Supporter

Back to School at Independence National Historical Park

As a new school year kicks off we are starting to receive reservation for the Independence Park Institute education programs…….but perhaps I should start by letting you know that the Independence Park Institute is the park’s education branch.  We provide hands-on programs for students of all ages.  We offer programs on a range of topics including, the Liberty Bell, the Underground Railroad, and 18^th century life.  My two favorites, however, are our Archeology and Franklin programs.

In our one hour “Benjamin Franklin” program students learn about a few of Franklin’s achievements.  They get a chance to set their name in type, to learn the craft of a printer.  They try solving a Magic Square, a math puzzle that Franklin enjoyed.  They experiment with electricity and optics, to learn about the scientific side of Dr. Franklin.  The students explore Franklin’s desk to discover ways he improved life for his fellow citizens.  The students also enjoy playing a glass armonica to learn about Franklin’s musical talents. 

Another of my favorites is “Archeology: History Found in Pieces” In this program the students take on the role of an archeologist learning about James Oronoko Dexter through the few traces this man left behind. The students start with archival records that mention Mr. Dexter, though only a few records could be found.  The students next analyze replicas of the archeological artifacts dug up in Mr. Dexter’s backyard which was located underneath what is now the National Constitution Center bus parking lot.  In studying these items the students have to make educated guesses to fill in more of Dexter’s life.  While learning about this interesting man, the students begin to learn the excitement and challenges of archeology.  

We also provide professional development workshops, to better prepare teachers to use the park’s many resources. The next workshop is scheduled for this October to discuss the 2012 transit of Venus.  The June 3, 1769 transit of Venus helped establish the reputation of American colonials as effective scientists.  The wooden platform built behind Independence Hall to observe this transit was used again on July 8, 1776 to announce the Declaration of Independence.  Transits of Venus are rare (there have been 4 since 1761) so this is an opportunity for teachers to use the upcoming astronomical event to teach their students its historic significance and how to safely observe the transit.

The entire park is a great place to learn, but the Independence Park Institute makes that learning fun with hands-on, active programs for students and teachers.  Well, it’s time for me to get back to making reservations…….

~Jeffrey Collins

Education Program Manager

Independence National Historical Park
If you are interested in any of the programs mentioned above, feel free to contact Jeffrey Collins at
(215) 597-2760 or email inde_education@nps.gov

Why It Matters

Every time I walk through Independence National Historical Park, I think about how beautiful it has become over the years. The efforts of individuals, organizations such as the Friends of Independence and local, State and Federal agencies have contributed so much to create a dazzling showcase for our collective history.

This park however, is much more than trees, flowers and buildings. Take time to walk slowly through the crowds. You’ll see and hear the world in microcosm. People from around the world converge on Philadelphia, drawn to the idea of America and curious to see how we became who we are.

In an age where American prestige often takes a beating on the world stage, why do these citizens of the world still come to see where our great experiment in liberty first began? It’s because America is the world in microcosm; a swirling of cultures, ideas and languages that is often messy, argumentative and contradictory. Visitors to the Park come away with a better understanding of how our Founders struggled to create a nation where the individual is a critical part of the whole and where living as members of a free society carries with it great responsibility. To quote from the movie, The American President, “America is advanced citizenship; you’ve got to want it”.

So we plant trees, fix buildings and sweep the pavements of the Park to preserve the history that was made here. Because we do want it and you can show you want it too, by supporting the Friends of Independence.

~ Louisa Hanshew
   Governing Board Member

View from the Back Office, Part 2: Saying Good Bye

Summer is quickly slipping away as I sit at my desk and watch the people walk by the Merchant Exchange Building. The young, the old, locals, and tourists all mosey past my window as they head towards City Tavern or The First Bank of the United States or other destinations here at the park.

People from all over the world take a stroll past my window; some stop to look at the beautiful façade of the Merchant Exchange Building and take a picture or two,  some peer into the shaded window trying to glimpse the interior, but are thwarted in their efforts by the screen shades. They are not missing much, just the National Parks Service’s administrative offices, which are not as exciting as they may sound.

NOT LOSING SIGHT OF THE REAL REASON I BECAME A FRIEND

It is very difficult to live in Philadelphia and not be aware that it contains the most historic square mile in America.  We are surrounded by historic buildings, plaques and statuary. Tours of the historic district, special events on the 4^th of July and carriage rides all remind us of Philadelphia’s place in our nation’s history.  In fact, Philadelphia is Ground Zero as far as American history is concerned.  Everything started right here.  Our founding Fathers really did “begin the world anew.”   Anyone like me with an interest in American history would love to live in Philadelphia.  So why wouldn’t I jump at the opportunity to join the Friends of Independence National Historic Park, immerse myself in history and contribute to efforts to support the Park?

But there was more than just an interest in history that led me to join.  An event I witnessed on a cold December evening in the year 2000 continues to remind me why the Park and Independence Hall are so important.  That evening, I was walking down Chestnut St. at about 7 PM.  Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court had just ruled, 5 to 4, that George W. Bush should be our next president.  As I approached the southwest corner of 6^th and Chestnut, I saw a girl, about 20 years old, walking down 6^th St. toward Independence Hall.  Her hair was styled in a shocking pink Mohawk, she was wearing high black motorcycle boots and her face was studded with earrings.  She was wearing a sandwich board, on both sides of which were printed, in bold, black letters: “[expletive deleted} BUSH! “ Not the sort of person you would fail to notice.

As she walked toward Chestnut St., one of the rangers patrolling around the Hall strolled toward the corner.  She certainly noticed him.  But she kept on walking.  And he didn’t say a word, or even appear to really notice her.  When he reached the corner he turned around and began walking the other way.  When I began to think about it, I realized that this little tableau exemplified, centuries after the fact, the significance of our origins as a nation.  But why was this incident so noteworthy?  Nothing happened on that December evening, right?  Yes, that’s right, and that’s what’s important.  Not only was Miss Sandwich Board free to express her critical views of the next president in a wholly rude and insulting way, right in front of the shrine to independence, she fully expected to be free to do so, and our Park Ranger, representing our government, evidently felt the same way.  Thomas Jefferson et al. would have sighed with satisfaction had they witnessed the scene.

This is why I joined the Friends -- to have the opportunity to remind myself why the Park is so special and why it is so important to support it.  What happened here in the 18^th century worked, and it’s still working.

~Antoinette R. Stone
  FINHP Member and Governing Board Member

An Impressive History and a Dazzling Future

I have worked for the Friends of Independence National Historical Park for exactly three years, three months and eight days.  It seems like a lifetime ago when I walked into the Friends office in the Merchant Exchange Building on my first day and was given the helpful suggestion that I should read some “old” newsletters to familiarize myself with the organization.

Three Years, three months and eight days later and I am still reading the history of The Friends of Independence.  It never ends.  Our organization has over 39 years worth of stories, board minutes, articles, pictures… you name it, we have it.  Just when I think I have read or put my hand on everything the Friends have done, something new emerges and leads to other sources of information. 

A quick trip to the archives can become hours of entertainment as I read through the past events and gaze in awe at all the things our organization has done in support of Independence National Historical Park.  Just the other day, while I was talking with a volunteer who has been working up in the archives for us, she pointed out two things in the Friends past that I did not know about.  This means two more things to add to my ever expanding list of things I need to look up the next time I am in the archives.

I have to say, this is my favorite part of working for the Friends, because it is fascinating to see how much we have done, how much we have given, and how many initiatives we have taken during our 39 years.  On the other hand, as the only full time staff member, this is also quite daunting.  It is overwhelming trying to think of new, bigger, better things we can do.  Most non-profits are always looking to have that edge, to come up with the next big thing to make them stand out and yet what they are doing now, the Friends of Independence was doing years ago.

How do we top ourselves?  How do we look back on our impressive history and say we can do better, we can outshine ourselves?  As the first Friends group for a National Park, we were the trailblazer for many of the programs and events that are now common among Friends groups.  It is difficult to re-invent the wheel when there is nothing wrong with it in the first place. 

So what do we do?  Do we rest on our laurels or do we keep going?  The answer is that we try new things, we enhance the already great ideas that have worked for us and we review our history and see what we did before that can be started again.  This is the great thing about such a long and extensive history; there is a never-ending source of ideas.  We are taking our past and creating a dazzling future for our organization and the park we love to support. 

So as Program Director for the Friends, I will continue to look for inspiration from our past, to learn the lessons from the ones that came before, and to always keep the best interest of the organization at heart.  I will do this because in another thirty-nine years, three months and eight days, I hope the staff member charged with researching the history of the Friends, will look back at the many things we did while I worked here and say “How can we top our past?”

~Maiti Gallen

  Program Director to the Friends of Independence National Historical Park