Last updated: September 21, 2026
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TTAP Spotlight: Preserving History and Building Careers at Andrew Johnson National Historic Site
Participants in the Traditional Trades Advancement Program reflect on their experiences.
NPS
Andrew Johnson National Historic Site preserves the legacy of President Johnson. The park contains his two homes, tailor shop, and grave site. Behind the preservation of this site is a team of skilled tradespeople. This includes young adult participants in the Traditional Trades Advancement Program (TTAP).
The TTAP participants at the park are part of a Maintenance Action Team (MAT). They are rehabilitating the 17th President's scenic resting place, Andrew Johnson National Cemetery.
MATs address high-priority facility maintenance and repair needs at parks across the country. They often incorporate young adult participation through programs like TTAP. TTAP offers opportunities for young adults and veterans to train and work hands-on at national park sites. The program at the park is supported by the National Park Foundation, American Conservation Experience, and the Student Conservation Association.
Austin Spears, Frank Whetstone, Logan Reabuck, and Logan Elmore took a moment to reflect on their experience in the program.
The TTAP participants at the park are part of a Maintenance Action Team (MAT). They are rehabilitating the 17th President's scenic resting place, Andrew Johnson National Cemetery.
MATs address high-priority facility maintenance and repair needs at parks across the country. They often incorporate young adult participation through programs like TTAP. TTAP offers opportunities for young adults and veterans to train and work hands-on at national park sites. The program at the park is supported by the National Park Foundation, American Conservation Experience, and the Student Conservation Association.
Austin Spears, Frank Whetstone, Logan Reabuck, and Logan Elmore took a moment to reflect on their experience in the program.
What projects have you been working on?
Reabuck and Elmore shared that their favorite project has been installing lightning protection. Whetstone said, “Some of the trees, called witness trees, were here during Johnson’s funeral, so it’s obviously very important to keep them around.” They assisted in connecting copper cables to the highest branches of the trees using a lift and securing them along the length of the trunks. They have been digging trenches from the bases of the trunks, extending at least ten feet, where the cables are connected to a grounding pole. If lightning hits a tree, the lightning protection system will provide a path of least resistance between the tree canopy and the ground. This safely dissipates the energy and protects both the trees and their surroundings.Spears’s proudest achievement is repairing the entire historic cemetery wall with Whetstone. They completed the task several weeks ahead of schedule. Over 100 years old, the wall spans the perimeter of the 16.5-acre cemetery. They cleared debris against the wall, removed and replaced old caulking, and cleaned it off with a commercial-grade cleaner.
They also recently supported restoration of the historic Cemetery Lodge windows. A team from the NPS Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) came to the park to lead the project. First, they helped safely remove the windows from the building. Then they prepared them for transport to the HPTC headquarters in Frederick, Maryland. Later, they rejoined the team in Frederick to learn more about the rehabilitation process. They gained experience in skills such as wood repairs, glazing, cutting glass, grain painting, and clear finishing.
Regular tasks include mowing, weed eating, and replacing and cleaning headstones, including those of President Johnson and his family. The crew expressed that every day brings new tasks, giving them the opportunity to expand their skillset. Whetstone said, “The way I put it is, you always get new side quests.”
NPS
Can you tell us about the importance of the work you do and your personal connection to the site?
National cemeteries are hallowed grounds. They serve as the final resting places for veterans from the Civil War and beyond and as peaceful respites for family members and visitors. The TTAP participants feel a sense of pride in their work. Spears said, “I think taking care of the cemetery, not just for the veterans, but the people that worked here before, and the people that’ll work here in the future and making sure it's in as best shape as possible is very important.” For Elmore, it’s more than just work— “It's me being able to help not just the community, but the national park to be able to preserve history.” As a veteran himself, Reabuck’s personal connection runs even deeper. “As a veteran, being around other vets and their spouses means a little more to me,” he said, “And what I do, I like preserving history. That’s why I’m here. And that’s, I think, my purpose.” Describing his own personal experience, Whetstone shared, “I did not know much about Andrew Johnson when I started here. He's a really fascinating president to learn about. I have a deeper connection now because I've literally cleaned and mowed his grave site. How many people can say that?”I did not know much about Andrew Johnson when I started here. He's a really fascinating president to learn about. I have a deeper connection now because I've literally cleaned and mowed his grave site. How many people can say that?
NPS
How has being a TTAP participant impacted you and your career path?
Spears, Whetstone, Reabuck, and Elmore lacked experience in historic preservation before joining TTAP. With a shared interest in history and a desire to work “hands-on,” they welcomed the opportunity to gain experience in the field and learn about working for the National Park Service.Whetstone was unsure about pursuing work in traditional trades but was drawn to the history of the site. Now, he can see himself pursuing historic preservation as a career path. “When you’re out working in the national park, it feels pretty freeing and it just feels like you’re actually doing something important,” he said.
Spears hoped to get his “foot in the door with the National Park Service.” He had prior experience working on modern buildings. He appreciates the “opportunities to get more into the historic part of it.”
Reabuck is working towards a bachelor’s degree in history. He only knew the “bare bones” of horticulture and historic preservation. He shared that one of the most impactful things he’s learned is how much goes into operating a park. “So much goes into making a park available to the public and look nice for the public, while also preserving all the history that's in it.” He hopes to get a job with NPS and said, “I've learned so much that I'll take with me everywhere I go.”
Elmore knew he wanted a career that involved history and working outdoors but didn’t know how to get his foot in the door and couldn’t afford college. TTAP provided him with the perfect opportunity to build the foundation for his career. “I definitely feel a difference in the personal aspect of myself,” he said. He plans to take advantage of his professional development stipend to explore career options in archeology.
Josh Hines, the park’s Supervisory Facility Operations Specialist, said of the team, “I see a future in the NPS for all of them.”
NPS
How would you describe TTAP to other young adults?
Spears, Whetstone, and Reabuck had plenty of practice answering this question at the National Scout Jamboree. They attended the event as representatives of NPS and TTAP, interacting with hundreds of scouts and their families.“There are a few different ways you can look at it,” Whetstone said. “If you want to get some basic trade skill knowledge, or even more advanced trade skill knowledge, it's a great avenue for that. It's obviously a great gateway into a career with the National Park Service. And overall, it's just a great learning opportunity. You learn so much.”
Spears echoed the sentiment. “I think it's a really good opportunity to learn different tasks. You do something different, and you learn to care about that different stuff. Even the stuff you think is little. You find out that it all matters,” he said. “There’s a lot more to it than just a job.”
While describing TTAP, Elmore explained “The experience you gain from here, you can use it to go towards anything. They’re universal skills that can be applied anywhere.” Reabuck said TTAP participants are “doing stuff to preserve a legacy. No matter what park you're at. You're preserving it for the future generations to enjoy it just like we have.”