Third Annual Blue Heron Decoration Day Share Your Big South Fork Heritage for the Ages

Miners in front of the Blue Heron Tipple Bridge

News Release Date: May 9, 2017

Contact: Tommy Safranek, [phone]

Contact: Tom Blount, [phone]

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is interested in obtaining copies of historic photographs of the people, places, and events that occurred in the Big South Fork area prior to the park’s establishment. The park museum collection contains over 300 oral histories of local people, and there are hundreds of old photographs relating to the area. The National Park Service also recognizes that there are volumes more of important photographs that we would like to include in the permanent museum collection.
 
During the Decoration Day event at Blue Heron, park staff will be available to copy historic photographs of the Big South Fork area. Photo scanning will occur at the Blue Heron Interpretive Center’s Train Depot (Mine 18) from 12 to 4 p.m. (ET). It would be most helpful if photo owners can identify the places or people in the photograph, and they will need to sign a release for the Park Service to use the photos in documenting the park’s history. 

In return for scanning a photo, the park will provide the photo owner with a free archival copy of the photograph (a copy on archival paper and permanent ink) and a digital copy of the photo if desired. For a digital copy, bring a CD, or a flash drive or your email address.
 
Bring photos of the old home place, family portraits and outings on May 20, to Blue Heron if you would like copies of those photos in the permanent Big South Fork museum collection.

Big South Fork staff appreciates the opportunity to learn more about family histories and the history of the area. For more information, contact Big South Fork Headquarters at [phone].