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Students Nationwide
"Dig" Into Valley Forge, Explore
Presidential Log Cabins Electronically
New "Discover Presidential
Log Cabins Program" Brings Past Presidents
to Life
May
1, 2000 — Washington, D.C.— This
year, while the nation's focus is on future
presidential leadership, students nationwide
will direct their attention — and their
computers — toward four of our nation's
greatest leaders of the past.
Through
Electronic Field Trips, an interactive Web
site (www.nps.gov/LogCabin)
and an educational school video, thousands
of students across the country will participate
in the first comprehensive archeological
dig at Valley Forge, PA, where General George
Washington forged his triumphant Continental
Army. They will explore the log cabin where
Union Army General U.S. Grant met with President
Abraham Lincoln to plan the final battles
of the Civil War and the reconstruction
of the South. And they will learn how the
profound beauty of the North Dakota Badlands
molded Theodore Roosevelt into a rancher
and our nation's earliest conservation president.
Each of these tremendously significant historic
sites is found within the National Park
System and each is undergoing actual restoration
or exploration this year — with the
work captured on the Web site and video
as it progresses.
The
cabin restorations, archeological dig and
school outreach are all part of the 2000
"Discover Presidential Log Cabins" Program
sponsored by Aurora Foods Inc., makers of
Log Cabin syrup. Aurora Foods is a Proud
Restoration Partner with the National Park
Foundation (NPF), providing $1 million over
four years to restore historically significant
log cabin sites in the National Parks.
"These
park sites represent three significant periods
in our nation's history, two American wars
and defining moments in the lives of four
of our nation's greatest leaders," said
Ed Yuhas, general manager of Aurora's breakfast
division. "We are making a wide array of
multi-media resources available free of
charge to teachers so their students can
follow the restorations and learn about
American history as it relates to the presidents
and eras covered in this year's three cabin
sites," he said.
One
of this year's cabin restoration sites —
Grant's City Point cabin — holds additional
significance for Aurora Foods because of
its connection to President Abraham Lincoln.
Patrick J. Towle, who first introduced Log
Cabin syrup in 1887, named the syrup in
honor of President Abraham Lincoln's rustic
beginnings in a log cabin.
Educational
Program
The educational program includes six Electronic
Field Trips to the restoration and archeological
dig sites. Registered classrooms will log
onto the Web site to learn more about specific
projects during live chats with national
park historians and experts. National Park
Service (NPS) representatives will help
students understand the importance of these
sites and the leaders they commemorate and
explain the value of:
- The
ongoing archeological dig at Washington's
Continental Army Encampment at Valley
Forge National Historical Park, Valley
Forge, PA;
-
Log cabin restorations at Grant's Civil
War Headquarters at City Point in the
Petersburg National Battlefield, Hopewell,
VA; and Roosevelt's Maltese Cross Cabin
at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Medora,
ND.
The
program also features a teacher's discussion
guide with classroom activities, a video
and classroom poster.
Web
Site
New images and information will continually
refresh the Web site as log cabin restorations
and the archeological dig progress throughout
the year. The site highlights educational
and historical information about the presidents
and offers interactive games and a "Build
Your Own Log Cabin" area for students. Parent
and teacher sections emphasize learning
opportunities and links to additional Web
resources, as well as a travel planning
section so families can explore these National
Parks in person.
Public
Service Announcements
Consumers will be encouraged to visit the
Web site through public service announcements
(PSAs) set to air nationwide this summer.
The PSAs will highlight each of the restoration
sites and encourages families to plan virtual
— or actual — trips to the sites
to see preservation in progress.
Partnership
The "Discover Presidential Log Cabins" Program
marks the third year of the ongoing public/private
partnership between Aurora Foods, NPF and
NPS. The program launched in 1998 with the
restoration of the Gatekeeper's Cabin at
Grand Canyon National Park. Last year, the
partnership restored four cabins in Great
Smoky Mountains National Park.
"Aurora
Foods' funding has made it possible for
the National Park Service to conduct important
preservation and restoration work that falls
outside normal NPS budgets," James Maddy,
NPF president, said. "Public/private partnerships
are a major asset to the parks in preserving
the past for future generations to enjoy.
We are thrilled about the addition of the
educational program that will involve students
nationwide in these historic renovations,"
he said.
The
"Discover Presidential Log Cabins" educational
program is especially geared for 6th to
8th grade social studies and/or history
classes. To receive information about registering
for the program please call toll-free 1-800-943-6775,
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Eastern Standard
Time, fax your request to 212-921-9536,
or email: logcabin@westglen.com.
Aurora
Foods, Inc. (NYSE: AOR) specializes in buying
leading branded grocery brands in the U.S.
and building their market share. In addition
to Log Cabin® syrup, Aurora owns Mrs.
Butterworth's® breakfast products, Duncan
Hines® baking mixes, Van de Kamp's®
and Mrs. Paul's® frozen seafood products,
Chef's Choice® premium frozen skillet
meals, Celeste® frozen pizza, Aunt Jemima®
frozen breakfast products and Lender's®
Bagels.
The
National Park Foundation is the official
nonprofit partner of the National Park Service.
Created by Congress in 1967, the Foundation
raises support from corporations, foundations,
and individuals to preserve and enhance
America's National Parks. Over the past
five years, NPF has raised more than $42
million in direct support for the National
Parks. The National Park Service cares for
special places saved by the American people
so that all may experience our heritage.
-end-
Contacts:
Jen
Larson, National Park Foundation,
202-530-1487 (jlarson@goparks.org)
Sue Waldron, National Park Service,
202-208-5477 (sue_waldron@nps.gov)
Ed Yuhas, Aurora Foods/Log Cabin,
614-436-8600 (eyuhas@aurorafoods.com)
Jill Sharp or Kim Scher, Lord, Sullivan
& Yoder, 614-846-7777 (jsharp@lsy.com;
kscher@lsy.com)
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