Philadelphia, January 14, 2005--National
Park Service (NPS) Northeast Regional Director Marie Rust
has selected eighteen-year NPS veteran Celeste Bernardo
as the new superintendent of New Bedford Whaling National
Historical Park (MA). Slated to begin on February 8, 2005,
Bernardo succeeds John Piltzecker who became the NPS chief
of partnerships in Washington, D.C., last fall.
In making the announcement, Regional Director Rust said,
“Celeste Bernardo possesses a proven track record
of collaboration in the National Park Service, through her
work with partnership training at the national level, and
her experience with partners throughout her career. Also,
her interpretation and education background and extensive
interest and experience in maritime history make her a natural
choice for the superintendent of New Bedford Whaling National
Historical Park.”
Most recently Bernardo served as the partnership training
specialist at the NPS Stephen T. Mather Training Center
where she initiated the NPS’s Partnership Training
and Development Program for NPS employees. She also served
on the Department of the Interior’s Partnership and
Collaborative Action Team. No stranger to New Bedford, Bernardo
served as the interpretative planner on the park’s
General Management Planning team (1999-2001).
On accepting the new assignment, Bernardo said, “I
cannot think of another national park where I would rather
serve as superintendent. New Bedford has so many outstanding
qualities – fabulous historic and cultural resources,
committed and talented partners and volunteers, and devoted
park staff. I’ve visited New Bedford with my family
for years, was thrilled to serve on the General Management
Planning team, and have followed the park’s progress
since its inception. I look forward to meeting the park
partners and staff and working with them to move the park
into its next phase.”
Bernardo has also worked for the private, non-profit USS
Constitution Museum located at the Charlestown Navy Yard
in Boston National Historical Park (MA). From 2001 to 2003,
through a special agreement, she served as the museum’s
director of education and interpretation. In 2003, the Museum
earned the National Award for Museum and Library Service,
awarded by First Lady Laura Bush, to recognize the museum’s
commitment to public service through exemplary and innovative
programs and community partnerships.
Bernardo began her career with the National Park Service
in 1986, working as an interpreter at Fire Island National
Seashore (NY), Point Reyes National Seashore (CA), and Independence
National Historical Park (PA). She advanced through her
career working at a number of parks including San Francisco
Maritime National Historical Park (CA), Golden Gate National
Recreation Area (CA), Lowell National Historical Park (MA),
Boston National Historical Park (MA), and Sagamore Hill
National Historic Site (NY). A native of Long Island (NY),
Bernardo holds a BA in Recreation and Leisure Studies and
an MA in American History from Northeastern University.
She is a graduate of the Munson Institute of Maritime Studies
at Mystic Seaport. Bernardo lives with her husband and six
year old daughter in Sharon, Massachusetts.
Authorized in 1996, New Bedford commemorates whaling and
its contribution to American history. The park features
a 34-acre National Landmark District, the schooner Ernestina
and a number of cultural institutions including the New
Bedford Whaling Museum and its distant partner, the Inupiat
Heritage Center in Barrow, Alaska.
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