A Lifelong Connection to National Parks

Ranger Paul at Fort McHenry NMHS in 1967

NPS

What does it mean to have a connection to a National Park? How about having a connection so deep to the park that you work 50 years there, retire, and then still want to be connected that you start volunteering? And that is exactly what Ranger Paul did!

Starting May 22, 1967 at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Paul dedicated over 57 years to working for the Baltimore Area National Parks. Over the course of his career, he met seven U.S. Presidents (from Ford to Obama), worked under 13 park superintendents, had roles in two films, met John Denver and gave Roy Rogers a tour of the fort, and held the replica 30'x42' Star-Spangled Banner on the field at Memorial Stadium during the 1983 World Series.

HOW DID THE CONNECTION BEGIN?

After graduating from college with a degree in history and enlisting in the Army for three years, Paul was looking for ideas to start a career. He had an avid interest in history, along with the love of working with people so he was looking for jobs that included both such as working in a historical museum. During that time, he visited family in Oregon and that began his connection with the National Park Service.

His family took him to Fort Clatsop to explore and he realized that due to his interest in history, that working at a Fort may be a good job for him! So he asked the ranger he met about working for the National Park Service. That ranger gave him a brochure about National Parks and Paul realized he actually had a National Park site in his own backyard of Baltimore! When he returned home, he went to the National Park Service Headquarters building in Washington D.C. to once again ask about a job. The employee he met there told him to actually contact the park he was interested in directly to see if they have any job openings. Paul immediately contacted Fort McHenry to tell them about his interest and skills. Surprisingly there was a Park Guide position open! And even more surprisingly, their first question to Paul was “Do you know how to run a 16mm projector”! They were specifically looking for a projectionist to run their new projector for the park film! And the connection was made because Paul did know how to run a 16mm projector! He was hired almost on the spot (after passing the Federal Service Entrance Exam).

Ranger Paul with young visitor in 1812 uniform.

NPS

WHAT KEPT THE CONNECTION GOING?

To work anywhere for 50 years, you had to love what you do and Paul certainly did! He can tell you stories about all of his favorite people he met (Roy Rogers was his absolute favorite) and events he participated in, especially as his living history character of Dr. William Beanes. Besides meeting seven U.S. Presidents and celebrities such as Roy Rogers and John Denver, he remembers spending time with John, the son of Dwight Eisenhower. Paul helped John find some research information on a book he was writing about General Winfield Scott and then received a very nice thank you note afterward. Two of his favorite memories were participating in a naturalization ceremony on July 4th 1975 with President Ford and getting to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with President Obama for a picture in front of the large flag inside of the Visitor Center. Probably one of his most momentous occasions, particularly as a history enthusiast, was raising the flag inside the fort on September 14th at exactly 200 years to the minute after the fort's defenders had done in 1814. He was dressed as Dr. Beanes and General Colin Powell was standing at the base of the flagpole. He says he will never forget the connection he felt during that moment of remembrance.
Connections came many ways for Paul. He adopted three stray dogs that found him at the fort. The whole staff knew Paul wanted and needed a dog so when a stray appeared, they made sure it found its way to Paul. Snooper, Barney, and Buster became three of the luckiest dogs in the world when they connected with Paul. Of course Paul named his dogs after historical figures such as Commodore Joshua Barney, and Trouble Buster, the newspaper printed by General Hospital No. 2 staff during World War I (Snooper was named after a favorite Peanuts character). His last dog, Dolley, was named after Dolly Madison.

Ranger Paul in 1812-era clothing at Hampton NHS.

NPS/Tim Ervin

Paul made many connections during his dedicated quest for collecting historical objects. Paul’s collecting started at a young age after his father gave him a special gift of a copy of the Declaration of Independence. He began searching auctions both online and in-person. A few favorite items he has obtained are a signed document by Lt. Col. George Armistead (written during his service Fort McHenry), letters written by Nurse Emily Raine Williams while working at General Hospital No.2, a painting by artist Joseph Weyrich who served as an art instructor General Hospital No.2, a New Testament carried by a soldier at Fort McHenry during the Civil War, a Bible given to one of Francis Scott Key’s grandchildren, and over 600 historic postcards. Over the years his office and house have been filled with these collections. He is now donating most of these invaluable resources to the parks for their collections so that more people can connect to them in the future. The Baltimore Area National parks are extremely grateful for his passion, dedication, and generosity.

Even after retiring from a very fulfilling 50-year career, Paul didn’t lose his connection to the National Park Service. He describes the parks’ staff and volunteers had as his “family” and “home.” So, it felt natural to him to move into volunteering at the parks he loved so dearly. Paul couldn’t see himself retire and not go back to the place to which he felt such strong ties. He wanted to keep that connection alive and he wanted to help others find those connections.

Volunteer Paul at his desk in 2017.

NPS

HOW CAN YOU CONNECT TO THE PARK AND RANGER PAUL?

To learn more about Paul’s service:

Fort McHenry ranger can't stay retired even after 50-year career – Baltimore Sun

Fort McHenry’s Ranger Paul Plamann Celebrates 50 Years of Service