Dr. Robert G. Stanton: “Triumphs and Challenges: How the National Parks System Is Reshaping Preservation to Include ALL America”

Please join the Historic Preservation Program for a special Patterson lecture, reception and workshop featuring Dr. Robert G. Stanton, former director of the National Park Service. As NPS' first African American director, Dr. Stanton has taken particular interest in increasing the diversity of parks, the service's staff, and public programs to better serve minority populations.

Please RSVP for all events HERE by February 3rd. 

Wednesday, February 5th, 5-7 p.m., Architecture Bldg Auditorium (Room 0204):

SPEAKER: Dr. Robert G. Stanton, Former Director, National Park Service

Expert Member of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

Robert G. "Bob" Stanton is a retired career civil service administrator who served for almost four decades in the United States National Park Service. Beginning as a seasonal ranger at Grand Teton National Park in 1962, Robert Stanton served the NPS as a ranger, superintendent, deputy regional director, assistant director (National Office), Associate Director (National Office) and regional director of the National Capital Region before retiring in January 1997. That August the Clinton administration restored him to active duty, making him the first NPS careerist since Dickenson to head the bureau and first Director to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Also, its first African American director, Dr. Stanton has taken particular interest in increasing the diversity of parks, the service's staff, and public programs to better serve minority populations.

LECTURE: “Triumphs and Challenges: How the National Parks System Is Reshaping Preservation to Include All America”

Dr. Robert G. Stanton's lecture will reflect on the critical importance and history of the National Park System from his unique perspective informed by his experiences as former Director of the National Park Service and Expert Member of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Dr. Stanton will outline how the National Park System and the National Register of Historic Places have been reshaped over the last few decades to include the full diversity of our collective history. Dr. Stanton will touch upon the challenges and responsibilities of the National Park Service to provide opportunities for ALL America, particularly our youth and diverse audiences, to connect with our nation’s rich and diverse natural and cultural heritage.

RECEPTION: Join us for a reception outside of the auditorium from 5:00-6:00 p.m. Lecture to follow at 6 p.m. in the auditorium. 

WORKSHOP: Thursday, February 6th, 12:00-1:30 p.m., Dean’s Conference Room, Architecture Building

This workshop will describe the criteria to add resources to the African American Civil Rights Network (AACRN) and demonstrate the application process. Led by Kelly Spradley-Kurowski, Historian and Cultural Resources Specialist at NPS, and Porsha Dossie, Lead Program Assistant for AACRN. Lunch will be provided.

Please RSVP HERE by February 3rd. 

The reception and lecture are open to the public. We encourage all UMD students, faculty, staff, and alumni to attend the workshop.

The Patterson Lecture is also generously supported by the UMD Heritage Lectures and the School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation