John Bundy has completed his first week as the new superintendent of Shiloh National Military Park. Before coming to Tennessee he served as superintendent of Little River Canyon National Preserve and Russell Cave National Monument, both in Alabama.

Bundy started his career as an interpretive park ranger stationed at Alcatraz, part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area. He has more than 30 years of experience with the National Park Service, working in locations across the United States from Georgia to the wild expanses of Alaska. He recently answered questions from Corinth Bureau reporter Lena Mitchell.



Q: Have you had an opportunity to visit Shiloh for preliminary orientation? How does it compare in physical size and scope to your previous assignments?

A: I have been to Shiloh as a visitor on previous occasions but not for a preliminary orientation. Naturally, my focus now is to learn as much about the park as I can and to learn about issues affecting the park. Over the course of my career I have worked at 18 parks all over the United States. Some of these parks were more than 2 million acres in size; some of them were as little as 125 acres. Although I have experience in many parks with natural resource themes and historic themes, this will be my first battlefield park.

Q: What do you think will be the most significant adjustment you’ll have to make managing a Civil War landmark compared to your previous assignments?

A: I have always been interested in the Civil War as a historic event. The great themes and struggles of people have always been stories that help us understand ourselves as a nation. I am now involved in managing sites that tell stories of two specific events. It will be new to me to focus on the details at this level.



Q: Shiloh held its Civil War Sesquicentennial commemoration events earlier this year. Will there be any more special events for the Civil War 150th at Shiloh through 2014? If yes, what? What other interests or special events bring visitors to Shiloh who are not Civil War enthusiasts?

A: An ongoing event will be the awarding of Civil War Trading Cards. They have been printed and I think they will be a great incentive for our young historians to learn about the major events and people of the war. We are developing questions and quizzes so that in just a few weeks we will be able to present them to our visitors who show their Civil War knowledge and interest.

The Corinth Unit of Shiloh National Military Park is planning a number of activities to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Corinth. Rangers will be offering in-depth hikes and talks on Oct. 3, 4 and 5. Living historians will be camped at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center on Oct. 5 and 6, demonstrating life as a civilian during the Civil War. We are planning several children’s activities during the week, including a School Days event for area students. In addition, we will once again partner with Corinth Convention and Visitor’s Bureau to host the Historic Corinth Grand Illumination the first weekend of November.