Fort McHenry National Monument & Historical Shrine- Week 3,4,5 & 6

For the past 4 weeks I have been mainly in the Law enforcement division help out with collateral duties, monthly bike inspections, alarm and sprinkler yearly inspection/inventory, lost and found log book, entering some data into the IMARS program, foot patrol/bike patrol around the fort and the park grounds, and also assisting with closing the park. I had the experience to enter the United States courthouse for some cases, but no one showed up. Also I had the greatest experience to be able to patrol and crowd control at the U.S Navy, Civil War and U.S Army Tattoos here at the fort!

United States Court House-Baltimore, MD

U.S Navy Tattoo

Civil War Tattoo

U.S Army Tattoo

Last week I actually started to work with the Resource Management division and what I did was go to the partner historical site which is Hampton Mansion, home of the most wealthy Ridgely family. I went and vacuumed curtains and drapes from the main bedroom. Also, I did some curatorial inventory on a lot of historical items from the fort and the mansion such as photos, letters, newspaper articles, items that have been found like broken glass, plates, ceramics, you name it. I also was able to read some of the letters that were send and by the commander of Fort McHenry who was Commander George Armistead in the battle of  Baltimore in 1812.

Overseer's house at HAMP

HAMP Mansion

Slave Quarters

Slave Quarters

This week I am currently with the Maintenance division and focusing mainly on the preservation, part of the division. I have been working at the Hampton mansion again with  masonry repairing some stones and bricks, that have been cracked or falling apart and we had to try to maintain its structure and historical look of course.

Next week I should be with interpretation division and focusing more on the history part of FOMC, volunteering in the living history portion and also helping out visitors with their questions and assisting the main desk.

In addition, I also got the privilege to go on and see the Pride of Baltimore II ship here at FOMC was docked for July 4th and 5th. This ship which is a reproduction of the 1812 era of the Baltimore clippers that helped America defeat the British in the War of 1812.

If you would like to know more information and history on the Hampton National Historical Site here is the NPS link:
http://www.nps.gov/hamp/index.htm

Also, here is the website for Pride of Baltimore if you want to know more of the history of the ship:
http://www.sailbaltimore.org/ship-prideofbaltimoreii/

Fort McHenry National Monument & Historical Shrine

 This gorgeous view of the fort with the big star spangled banner flag!

 I love being at this view I can see the whole fort, visiting center & also seeing the whole river and being around the sea wall is a great wind feeling. I enjoy every moment I spend on top of bastion 5 where I can see the whole fort & its very relaxing.

         

                                               

Jessica Bustamante ProRanger Introduction/ Leadership Camp

Hello my name is Jessica Bustamante a new ProRanger Cohort for Temple University. I started Temple University in January, 2015 and going for my Criminal Justice B.A. I am a transfer student from Community College of Philadelphia. I didn't think I was going to get accepted into the proranger program since I was new to the university and also I didn't have much experience or qualifications that I thought were need. Dr.Irons was the person who told me about the program and to apply. I honestly didn't apply until the actual extended deadline because I wasn't sure if I wanted to do it. Then I thought about the experiences and resources that I will have after all, which are going to be great for my future. I really did it in a rush, that's another reason why I thought I wouldn't get accepted. I have tried my hardest in my school years that have led me to where I am know and I know my parents are proud of what I have accomplished. I was so happy when I was accepted to the program that it surprised me instantly and I thanked God for giving me the opportunity that many would have wanted and I got the privilege to have now. All of the students who were accepted, we all had to go to a leadership camp for a week in New Jersey. We all got along very well after all, we all got to know each others strengths and weaknesses but a lot of us got rid of a lot of our fears, for example myself. I am afraid of heights and I honestly didn't want to do about 3 of the activities that had to do with heights which were rock climbing, repelling, and walking on a tree up in the air by other 2 trees on the side. I thought the world was coming down on me when I had to challenge my self by choice and I basically had to get rid of the fear of heights with those activities. I loved how my cohort supported me through it all and that's what helped me get through it and actually do the activity to the end. I was very appreciated with all people who supported me not just the cohort but the NPS staff and Temple faculty. I was also given a NPS coin and a Temple baseball hat for my accomplishments that I was very grateful for. Now the park  I was chosen to go for internship is Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine with the National Park Service. I am so exited to see how these 2 months are going to go and meeting Rangers and people within the NPS.

2015 ProRangers