FOPU

Students majoring in Historic Preservation from Savannah College of Art and Design(SCAD)form Fort Pulaski's first ever park preservation team.

Since 1986, a congressional act has authorized the collection of fees at National Park Service areas. During most of that period the fees went into a central fund but recently that trend has changed. At first, parks were allowed to keep up to 80% of gate receipts. This has recently been increased to 100% during the past few years. Last year, Fort Pulaski collected $216,000 in entrance fees.

So where does all the money from entrance fees go? At Fort Pulaski, fee money goes toward park preservation, interpretive programs, maintenance, and numerous conservation projects. Each year, nearly 350,000 visitors explore the rich history and natural beauty of Fort Pulaski National Monument. While on your visit take a moment to view the many restored structures, museum exhibits, wayside exhibits, trails, and educational programs made possible through the collection of entrance fees.

As visitation increases at Fort Pulaski and throughout the National Park System, providing a safe and memorable experience for all visitors can present quite a challenge. Increasing demands are placed upon existing facilities, and new facilities and services become necessary. The benefits of collecting entrance fees are already visible at Fort Pulaski. As you enjoy the park, you may notice signs bearing the User Fee logo. Wherever you see this logo displayed, you will also see your entrance fees at work improving the park for your enjoyment and the enjoyment of future generations.

Nationwide the National Park Service will be raising fees in January of 2008. The minimum raise for entrance fees will be $8. Fort Pulaski feels that this is too great of an increase and is proposing that fees at Fort Pulaski only be raised to $7 for individuals and $20 for annual pass holders. The new rates are comparable to other existing museums and historic sites in the Savannah area, and as with other National Park sites, Fort Pulaski’s entrance fee give visitors the opportunity to return to the park for up to six days and enjoy many amenities including, walking and hiking trails, fishing, picnicking, bicycling, kayaking, as well as tours of the historic fort and grounds.

The new increase will allow the park to continue to expand its living history programs and special events, while also increasing revenue needed for park projects aimed at making sure visitors have the best experience possible while visiting Fort Pulaski.

Recent highlights brought about from visitor fees at Fort Pulaski include: the installation of new park signage, hands-on exhibits, and additional interpretive programs. One major addition to the park was the purchase of a 30-pounder Parrott Rifle Cannon, the largest firing reproduction cannon in the country. Large rifled siege cannons like the 30-Pounder Parrott were used against Fort Pulaski during the Battle of Fort Pulaski in April 1862. The cannon were used to breach the walls of the fort, and helped to usher in a new age of modern warfare. The firing of the new cannon each weekend during the park’s Living History Day’s certainly leaves a lasting impression on anyone who visits Fort Pulaski.

Fort Pulaski also recently implemented a fee demonstration project that addresses the enormous preservation challenges that face the historic fort and surrounding landscape. Partnering with an existing park maintenance staff of five and utilizing the STEP authority, a National Park Service program that allows for the hiring of student employees, the park recently hired six talented undergraduate and graduate students majoring in Historic Preservation from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) to form Fort Pulaski’s first ever park preservation team.

The main focus of work includes reducing the amount of deferred maintenance within the walls of the fort, tuck-pointing deteriorated mortar joints throughout the fort, as well as maintaining the historic Cockspur Island Lighthouse An exciting component of their experience is their cross training to fire the park’s historic black powder cannons. The team is involved in Living History Programs throughout the year. Funded through the fee demo program the Fort Pulaski preservation team will be working at Fort Pulaski throughout the end of the fiscal year and plans call for the program to continue or even expand as fee revenues increase.

Visitor fees are vital to the preservation and survival of Fort Pulaski. With the increase in fees, Fort Pulaski will be able to hire more full-time employees, better address our long term preservation needs, as well as continuing to improve the visitor understanding and appreciation of Fort Pulaski.