**NEWS RELEASE u.s. department of the interior**

**national park service**

**For Immediate Release Contact: Visitor Center**

**(931) 232-5706**

# Fort Donelson National Battlefield POB 434

**Phone: 931-232-5706 Dover, TN 37058**

**Fax: 931-232-4085**

**Successful Partnership Creates Award-Winning Film for Schoolchildren**

**Dover, Tennessee---**Kids always have heroes, but you'd never think
that they'd chose a Civil War soldier or nurse, or even a runaway slave
as a hero, now would you? Well, you might if you were an elementary or
middle school student who's seen ***Fort Donelson: A Place for
Heroes***, a new film created by the Tennessee Renaissance Center,
Dickson, Tennessee, and the Park Ranger staff at Fort Donelson National
Battlefield.

This 22-minute film for students is now available for loan to classrooms
across the nation. Comments from teachers and students who've seen the
film have been overwhelmingly positive. Just this past year, the film
was even awarded the Keeper of the Light Award for Interpretive Media,
the highest honor bestowed by the National Park Service's Division of
Education & Interpretation for the Southeast Region. "This award means
so much to the park staff members who struggled to secure funding and
thought the idea to develop a film about Fort Donelson for
schoolchildren was just a dream," said Park Superintendent Steven McCoy.

The partnership with the Tennessee Renaissance Center began in 2001.
Producer David Van Hooser and Production Manager Ken Tucker worked with
the park staff to write and develop the film. Making a film about a
national park isn't a new idea---but it *is* if you're trying to promote
American heroes and how their stories intertwine with the 1862 battles
at Forts Henry, Heiman, and Donelson.

In addition, the park staff wanted a film that was "fast-paced, packed
with information, but one that left kids with a sense of purpose about
Fort Donelson. We had to provide an answer for that question: so why do
I need to know about this Civil War battle?" according to Park Ranger
Susan Hawkins. Hawkins, along with fellow Park Ranger Deborah Austin,
had the idea for this film, but didn't think that it would ever be
produced. Luckily, with generous funding support from the Jackson
Foundation and a 2003 *Parks As Classrooms* grant, plus patience and
expertise from the producers at the Tennessee Renaissance Center, this
idea finally became a reality. "We have strong desire to offer a
well-balanced park program, and this video augments our programming.
It's certainly nice to know that we were part of a process that will
keep history alive in our schools," said Park Ranger Austin.

This film is just one part of the park's comprehensive programming
called **Parks As Classrooms**. This National Park Service program,
launched in 2002, has three components: traveling trunks, Ranger
programs at the battlefield, and of course, the 22-minute video. Last
year, the battlefield added **Parks in Classrooms**, offering another
avenue for schools to connect students to the park's resources and
history. With Parks in Classrooms, Park Rangers visit classrooms and
help students learn more about the battlefield by exploring topics like
Civil War history, Underground Railroad stories, and soldier life.
Programs are interactive, curriculum-based, and developed in cooperation
with local teachers.

***Fort Donelson: A Place for Heroes***, curriculum materials, and
Ranger Programs are free and available upon request. If you're
interested in scheduling a program or Ranger visit to your classroom,
visit our website, [www.nps.gov/fodo](http://www.nps.gov/fodo) or
contact the Education Staff at 931-232-5706.

The public is invited to share the enthusiasm about the new film and
attend special showings on September 2, 3, & 4, 2006. Park staff will
also be available to answer questions about the Parks As Classrooms
programs and schedule school visits. The Eastern National Bookstore,
located in the park's Visitor Center, will offer special discounts on
books and materials for classroom teachers.

For more information, please contact the Ranger staff at 931-232-5706.