Three Greene County students have begun summer jobs at the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site through the Youth Conservation Corps. Bradley Pitts, Chance Frey and Xavier Jarnigan, all students at West Greene High School, will be working at the park through July 31. Bradley Pitts participated in the first summer program in 2019 and will serve as the team leader.
The students will be engaged in meaningful work experiences, receive skill training, be exposed to preservation techniques, and visit other historic sites. Their work will help them develop an ethic of environmental stewardship and civic responsibility. The Youth Conservation Corps is administered by the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture: Forest Service, and the U.S. Dept. of Interior: Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service.
The program at Andrew Johnson National Historic Site is funded by the Park and the Andrew Johnson Heritage Association, the official Friends Group of the Park. Additional funding has been provided by the Niswonger Foundation who awarded a grant to the Andrew Johnson Heritage Association for $5,350. The students will visit the offices of the Niswonger Foundation to learn about post high-school educational opportunities.
The Andrew Johnson Heritage Association, a 501c-3 non-profit, was founded in 1982 by Margaret Johnson Patterson Barlett, the great grand-daughter of President Johnson. The Association supports educational programs at the National Park and offers other community history educational programs. For information on supporting the Association contact George Collins at shay46@earthlink.net.
Andrew Johnson Heritage Association 