Intern Spotlight: Amanda Falcone

Amanda at Fort Sumter in June. The background is of the Charleston Harbor.

Photo courtesy of Amanda Falcone

Meet Amanda Falcone, a former intern and current volunteer at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, and Charles Pinckney National Historic Site in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina!

As a child, Amanda frequently visited Fort Moultrie on school field trips and family outings, exploring history close to home. However, it was not until college that she began to learn more about the National Park Service’s mission to preserve the natural and cultural resources of our public lands.

Amanda stands with Ranger Shelby and Kaley in front of Fort Moultrie

Photo courtesy of Amanda Falcone

In April 2024, her dad found a Facebook post for a career day event nearby in Charleston. Intrigued, she decided to attend the event with two of her friends where they met Ranger Christopher who works at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park. As a history major and classics minor at the College of Charleston, Amanda found that working with the park could be an exciting and beneficial experience. She took a school course on how to be a tour guide and became certified as an interpretive guide by the National Association for Interpretation. She further talked to Ranger Brett, the head of interpretation at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and began a summer internship.

During her time at the park, Amanda helped at the information desk, showcasing her dedication to preserving history and enhancing visitor experiences. She helped run the park store, answered questions and phone calls from guests, and provided additional resources to visitors. She worked closely with park rangers to gain hands-on experience of the different aspects of park management, including maintenance, law enforcement, and interpretation. Additionally, she helped close the park, including locking up specified areas and lowering the flags.

Using skills from her interpretive class, she enhanced the experience of visitors by introducing a 22-minute video about the park to tour groups and conducted map tours. These maps explained the geography of the area and its historical significance during the American Revolution and Civil War. Her presentations included an overview of the park’s location within the region, the marshlands and wetlands, and the historical context of enslaved laborers who were brought to the area to cultivate indigo and rice, which were important for the local economy.

In June, she contributed to the Carolina Day event, an annual commemoration of the Battle of Sullivans Island that she had previously attended as a visitor. In preparation for the event, she pressure-washed walls and pulled weeds to ensure the site was ready. At the event she served as a range guard for musket firings and cannon demonstrations.

Living historians during a demonstration at the 2024 Carolina Day event at Fort Moultrie

Photo courtesy of Kelsey Brandt

During her internship, Amanda honed her interpretive skills, finding the experience both rewarding and fulfilling. She felt valued and appreciated at the park for her contributions. She enjoyed engaging with young visitors by introducing them to the American Revolution’s historical significance and advocating for the Junior Ranger Program. Witnessing children proudly earn and display their Junior Ranger badges was especially gratifying.

Where there are positive experiences, there are usually challenges as well. A site with such profound historical importance inevitably means there will be sensitive topics, particularly relating to enslavement. When visitors ask questions that may have complex responses, Amanda reminds herself that it is important to uphold the National Park Service’s commitment to factual accuracy. There are also people who may not know the history of the area, and the topics of enslavement and post-reconstruction are glossed over in schools. She hopes visitors will approach history with humility and patience, especially if they do not understand unfamiliar topics.

Amanda’s advice to youth and young adults interested in a career with the National Park Service is to set your fear aside and get your foot in the door. There is a place for you in the National Park Service no matter your interests, and there will always be people interested in what you are interested in. She worked with people whose niche was submarines and lighthouses and others who could tell the entire history of West Point. No matter what your interest may be, it will be valued because when you have a strong support system, everyone is willing to help you grow.

Outside of volunteering, Amanda enjoys reading historical fiction, creating arts and crafts, and making miniatures and jewelry. These are all activities that allow her to focus on the small details. Another fun hobby is cooking and baking. She creates a dish every month from a different culture. For December, she is creating a German dish, inspired by a German course she just finished. She also loves hiking in the mountains, birding, and taking photos. Spotting wildlife like owls, hawks, bluejays, hummingbirds, and her favorite animal, frogs, is one of her favorite activities.

Amanda kayaking at dawn in Lake Moultrie

Photo courtesy of Amanda Falcone

Currently, Amanda is writing an article, for NPS.gov, about the experience of Black individuals during the American Revolution for America 250, a National Park Service and U.S. Semi quincentennial Commission initiative to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

While she finished her internship at the end of the summer, she still dedicates time to volunteering in the park. In the future, she hopes to do seasonal work and apply to become a park ranger after graduation. Her ultimate dream is to work at Blue Ridge Parkway.

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