Office of the Secretary

For Immediate Release: June 30, 2000

CONTACT: Katie Lawhon, Gettysburg
NMP 717-334-1124 x452
Joan Moody,
Office of the Secretary 202-208-3280

MEDIA ADVISORY

GETTYSBURG TOWER DEMOLITION JULY 3

On Monday, July 3 at 5:00 p.m., the National Tower at Gettysburg National Military Park will be demolished, inaugurating a long-term plan for the restoration of the viewsheds and historical landscapes in the battlefield. This project has been a high priority for Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt, the featured speaker at a ceremony taking place before the demolition, which will begin at 4:30 p.m.

"The demolition of the Gettysburg Tower is more an act of creation and restoration than destruction," says Babbitt. "With the eyesore of the tower removed, the Park Service can better restore the battlefield to its historical state and create a better future for this park. Gettysburg should be protected as a sacred place in our nation's history, not treated as a tourist trap. There is no better symbol of the campaign to preserve the battlefield than the removal of this tower."

Ceremony agenda and significant participants:

� Welcome and Introduction - Dr. John A. Latschar, Superintendent
� Remarks - Barbara Finfrock, President, Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg
--Robert Stanton, Director, National Park Service
--Richard Moe, President, National Trust for Historic Preservation
� Address - Bruce Babbitt, Secretary of the Interior
� Demolition Countdown - Secretary Babbitt

Before the ceremony, Gettysburg NMP Public Affairs Specialist Katie Lawhon will be available for interviews. After the ceremony, Secretary Babbitt and others will be available for interviews from 5:15-5:30 p.m.

From 5:30-5:45 p.m. press will be escorted on foot to an area on Hunt Avenue with an excellent view of the tower debris.

Public safety is the number one priority during the removal of the tower. A substantial restricted area has been created as a safety zone around the tower, and road closures in the vicinity will be in effect from approximately 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. on the day of the demolition.

� Parking: Satellite truck and other media parking has been designated - see attached map. If you have not already contacted the National Park Service to tell them that you are bringing your satellite truck, please do so ASAP. Bring plenty of cable. Parking for satellite trucks will be available for use beginning at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, July 2. Limited media parking will be available July 3 in the Cyclorama parking lot. All parking is first-come, first-served. Access out of the area after the ceremony may be difficult, due to expected road congestion.

� Credentials: Please bring your sanctioned media credentials and if possible, wear on your shirt collar or around your neck for easy viewing. This will assist our crowd control staff.

� Media are advised to be in place by 2:00 p.m. on July 3, due to expected traffic congestion and road closures. The ceremony will not begin until 4:30 p.m. and the weather is forecasted to be hot. Bring plenty of water and/or sports drinks and take appropriate sun precautions. Restrooms will be available near the press platform. The National Park Service will not be able to safeguard equipment for media representatives working alone.

� Video Pool: WHTM-TV Harrisburg and WGAL-TV Lancaster have been given permission to place two unmanned cameras within the secure zone. They will provide this live video coverage to any interested TV stations on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Keith Blaisdell (WHTM) at (717) 236-1444 or Dan Weiser (WGAL) at (717) 393-5851.

� Photography Pool Photo: Dar Beiser, USA Today Photographer will provide a pool photo that will be taken from the Soldiers 'National Cemetery. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this photo, contact Dar at 703-276-3764.

� Press Kits: Available at press area on Hancock Ave. Information available in advance will be sent to media on request and will be posted on the park's website (www.nps.gov/gett).

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