GEORGE ROGERS CLARK Selected Papers From The 1983 And 1984 George Rogers Clark Trans-Appalachian Frontier History Conferences

IN REPLY REFER TO:

United States Department of the Interior NATIONAL PARK SERVICE GEORGE ROGERS CLARK NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK 401 SOUTH SECOND STREET VINCENNES, INDIANA 47591

July 23, 1985

Dear Reader:

Parks are collections of resources that contain our nation's most valued treasures. The richness and diversity of these resources are the tangible evidence of our national heritage. They represent the physical, the intellectual and, in the broad sense of the word, the spiritual basis from which this nation's strength, pride and continuity of purpose have been fashioned.

Instilling an understanding and appreciation of these resources, and through this process achieving the motivation and support for preserving them and the heritage they represent, is the critical responsibility of the National Park Service.

For the National Park Service, interpretation can be defined as the process of translating the meanings and values of the park resources into "language" understandable by visitors. At George Rogers Clark National Historical Park, the process of interpretation serves to commemorate the accomplishments of George Rogers Clark and the history of the Trans-Appalachian region and to communicate this story with its significance to the American people.

Thus, it is appropriate that we join with Vincennes University in this important historic city on the Wabash River to hold the George Rogers Clark Trans-Appalachian Frontier History Conferences and to publish these papers. Hopefully, the papers will help bring to life the many aspects of frontier history. With them, we hope you will gain a better understanding of our national heritage and the forces, places, and people that helped forge its purpose and direction.

Johnny D. Neal
Superintendent