The National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT) hosted the NPS Cultural Resources Advisory Group (CRAG) on July 28-August 1, 2014. It was the group’s first visit to the National Center, and its sister units, the Cane River Creole National Historical Park and the Cane River National Heritage Area. This distinguished group of visitors includes experienced cultural resource managers whose role is to provide stewardship advice and counsel to the NPS Cultural Resources, Partnerships, and Science Directorate.
The group conducted regularly scheduled business, including discussions on the National Program, the Cultural Resource Challenge, and resource stewardship strategies for the parks. The meeting provided NCPTT with the opportunity to share recent research and training information and to provide a tour of its laboratory facilities. NCPTT staff discussed the mission of the National Center and ways in which its work could enhance preservation of cultural resources in the parks.
CRAG met with members of the Southeast Regional office to look at extending the Vanishing Treasures model to cultural resources found in the South. Unique construction materials such as tabby or bousillage may lend itself to a Vanishing Treasures model.
Rounding out the meeting were tours of Melrose, Oakland, and Magnolia Plantations, as well as other heritage area sites.