Library Exhibit Takes Local Look at National Park Experience

“Marblehead’s Best Idea: Local Echoes of the National Park Spirit,” an exhibit looking at the local impact of the National Park experience will be at the Virginia A. Carten Gallery at the Abbot Public Library from Tuesday, Oct. 6 through Thursday, Oct. 29.

There will also be a public reception for the exhibit on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m. That reception will feature an illustrated talk at 7 p.m. by Jonathan L. Parker, the chief of interpretation, education, and partnerships with the National Park Service.

“Marblehead’s Best Idea: Local Echoes of the National Park Spirit,” is a collaborative project of the Marblehead Conservancy and the Abbot Public Library, and highlighs the shared commitment of the National Park Service and the Marblehead Conservancy to the stewardship of open space, land conservation and public access.

The exhibit presents a magnificent gathering of photographs, contributed by members and friends of the Marblehead community, showing scenes of America’s National Parks and Marblehead’s open spaces. All of the images reflect the impulse of the photographer to capture the experience of being in a place where the wonder of nature is revealed. The exhibit is partially funded by the Library’s Elizabeth J. Houghton Memorial Account.

During the reception on Oct. 20, Parker will describe the historic and important relationship between local community land conservation efforts and the ultimate establishment of some of our most iconic National Parks. He also will discuss the National Park Service Centennial, coming up in 2016, as well as sharing behind-the-scenes stories about what it is like to work and live within the Parks. Finally, Parker will talk about the current state and health of our National Park System, including a discussion of the two greatest threats to the parks in the twenty-first century, and will offer an opportunity for questions and answers.

Parker currently works at Salem Maritime National Historic Site and Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site.