First Annual National Park Service Historic Preservation Conference: April 21-23, 1975

The Historical Preservationists gathered in Boston with mixed feelings of hope and despair. Their despair bordered on bitterness for they have seen the conditions of the historical resources under the administration of the National Park Service. They have seen adobe walls crumbling, sills of buildings hollow from dry rot, and structures that have toppled in on themselves. Their hope emanated from the fact the Service now had a Director who said in clear terms that our historical resources were in poor condition and badly needed attention. Director Gary Everhardt's message was re-emphasized by the Deputy Director Russ Dickenson by not only his presence but also his words. The attendees at the conference represented a broad spectrum of the preservation community in the Service. Included in the group were the Deputy Director, two Regional Directors, several Associate Regional Directors, superintendents of historical parks, historians, archeologists and historical architects. All the major offices engaged in historical preservation were represented. The one central theme that came out of the meeting, and the one on which everyone agreed, was that the Service had a major problem in the preservation of the historic structures, ruins, and objects entrusted to its care. Recommendations for action on the problems was discussed by the group and they were transmitted to the Director in a memorandum immediately after the meeting ended. A copy of that memorandum is appendixed to these papers.