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Article: Private Historical Park Is Public's Gain
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- August 15, 2004
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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What a difference $36 million can make to a battlefield.
The well-known National Park Service battlefields, always short of
funds and heavily dependent on volunteers, operate at a bare-bones
level. In contrast, the lesser-known Pamplin Historical Park and the
National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, a private park near
Petersburg, has a budget in the millions and looks as groomed as a
golf course.
A full-time roster of 54 employees, assisted by 17 part-time
workers, keeps visitor lines short and the grounds immaculate. "We
all pick up litter and cigarette butts," said Andy Talkov, director
of programs and cultural resources. "It's not like, 'That's not my
job.' We like a clean place. The ...