Meet the Rangers of Minute Man National Historical Park

BY JENNIFER PIERCE

The U.S. National Park System is one of our nation’s most treasured resources and Minute Man National Historical Park (MMNHP), established in 1959, is one of the most important of the parks. Comprising 1,038 acres, the park preserves historic sites, structures, properties, and landscapes associated with the opening battles of the American Revolution that took place on April 19, 1775. It also preserves resources related to an emerging literary tradition that signaled cultural independence from Europe.

While the term “park ranger” might bring to mind the brown-hatted, uniformed men and women that we see so often, managing a national park requires a diverse staff of dedicated employees to conduct the many facets of park operations including visitor safety, building preservation and maintenance, landscape restoration, public education, and administrative duties. They may not all wear the brown hat every day, but they are all part of the park ranger system. Here is a snapshot of just a few of the rangers who work at MMNHP.

KAREN WEITZ, Budget Analyst

Photo courtesy of Minute Man National Historical Park

“I am really interested in understanding the ‘why’ of how national parks operate. I enjoy helping my co-workers understand and navigate administrative laws and policies that drive our work. I feel like I am making a difference when I can help others.”

Karen earned her history degree in Maryland, literally surrounded by historic places in the National Park Service system. Fascinated by the history of Antietam, Gettysburg, Harpers Ferry, and the C&O Canal, it was a perfect fit for her to seek a career with the National Park Service.

Karen manages the budget systems at MMNHP, assists other units of the National Park Service, and acts as logistics section chief on an Incident Management team for large park events and natural disasters across the country such as volcanic eruptions in Hawaii and flooding of the Ozark River.

JON GAGNE, US Park Ranger

Photo courtesy of Minute Man National Historical Park

“The work is different every day, and a park ranger wears many hats. One day I may be stopping a distracted driver in the park, another day I may be responding to a medical emergency or even helping a visitor find a lost dog. No matter what I do day to day, I am supporting the mission of the National Park Service.”

Jon is a graduate of the National Park Service Law Enforcement Academy and has worked in a variety of parks across the nation, from as far away as Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to Acadia National Park in Maine. Prior to joining the National Park Service, he was a State Park Ranger for Massachusetts, working to support 12 parks in the state system.

The duties of a law enforcement park ranger are varied but all of Jon’s duties help protect park resources as well as the visitors who enjoy MMNHP. One of his daily highlights is stopping to talk with families in the park.

ADA FOX, Biological Science Technician

Photo courtesy of Minute Man National Historical Park

“I like my work with invasive plant management because I love working outdoors and everyday is filled with different tasks in a variety of locations in the park.”

Ada is part of the Natural Resources team at MMNHP. Her degree in Environmental Science and Policy, combined with a trail crew internship at Marsh – Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park in Vermont, helped shaped her love of the outdoors. As part of her work, Ada leads teams of volunteers who contribute numerous hours to preserving the cultural landscape in the park. While the important role of preserving the landscape may not be readily apparent to the many visitors who pass through the park each year, managing the removal of invasive plants is key to helping share the story April 19, 1775.

SKY ATCHISON, Exhibit Specialist

Photo courtesy of Minute Man National Historical Park

“I love a challenge and I love taking care of buildings. If the buildings need something from you and you can provide it, you can take care of them for a long time.”

Sky is a National Park Service employee, working on the restoration of the Colonel James Barrett House, in MMNHP. Sky brings a love of historic home restoration combined with a love for public lands. A native of Quincy, Massachusetts, Sky spent many years on the West Coast, working in National Park sites including Alcatraz Island and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. His career took him into various fields of outdoor experiences including wildland firefighting, leading youth in outdoor learning adventures, and efforts to support expansion of public land preservation.

His family has a legacy of craftsmanship, including his own 13 years of experience with the Historic Architecture Conservation and Engineering Center, a specialized branch of the National Park Service. ADA FOX, Biological Science Technician “I like my work with invasive plant management because I love working outdoors and everyday is filled with different tasks in a variety of locations in the park.”

LUIS BERRIZBEITIA, American Conservation Experience Intern

Photo courtesy of Minute Man National Historical Park

“Meeting people who visit Minute Man from across the country broadens my world. In life, we sometimes forget how to talk to each other. Every day, I look forward to learning from others who hold new and differing perspectives and experiences.”

Luis has previously worked at MMNHP in the area of resource preservation, however this summer he has joined the team of interpreters who provide public education to visitors.

Currently a student in Middlesex College, Luis was selected as a summer intern for the park through the American Conservation Experience, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing environmental service opportunities for youth, young adults, and emerging professionals of all backgrounds to explore and improve public lands while gaining practical professional experience.

Throughout a week, Luis may be greeting visitors at Minute Man Visitor Center, collaborating with partners such as The Umbrella Art’s Center, or presenting public programs to share the significance of the park with families.

To learn more about the people, places, and events that make Minute Man National Historical Park an exciting destination, visit the park website at nps.gov/MIMA.

Jennifer Pierce is the Visitor Service Manager at Minute Man National Historical Park.