The Scranton Times reports the NPS has appointed "Kip" Hagen to be the new superintendent at Steamtown NHS.

Mr. Hagen is a Scranton native and was acting superintendent at SNHS since June.

We all wish Kip the best in his new position.

The Electric City Trolley Museum Association

Scranton Times Tribune

New Steamtown superintendent a city native

By Michael Sadowski January 25, 2002

The new superintendent of the Steamtown National Historic Site may be new to the job, but not to the area.
The National Park Service has named Scranton native Harold "Kip" Hagen to succeed former Superintendent Terry Gess, who retired in June.

Mr. Hagen, the assistant superintendent since January 1998, has been acting superintendent since Mr. Gess's retirement.

Mr. Hagen will be introduced as superintendent today at a 10 a.m. press conference at the Steamtown site. A park service employee since 1976, Mr. Hagen spent eight years in the agency's Washington office before moving to Steamtown four years ago.

"I'm excited, really excited," Mr. Hagen said. "It's great to be back in the area and working with Steamtown."

Mr. Hagen, who lives in Tafton, Pike County, and is considering a move to the city, said Steamtown's main goal is to network with other organizations to popularize the events of the site. He said he visualizes Steamtown linking its events with other historic sites in the region.

"We'll be working a lot more with our partners at the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority, the Anthracite Museum, the Scranton Cultural Center, everyone," he said. "We want everyone to be on the same page."

Steamtown had a dip in visitations last year of about 15 percent, Mr. Hagen said, although that number is consistent with most of the country's national historic sites. Much of that can be attributed to the drop in tourism across the country after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, he said.

But he said the improvements Steamtown hopes to make this year should bring visitors back.

"This is living history at this museum," he said. "It tells the story of the area, how it was formed and how it grew. We want to expand our interpretive educational areas so people can learn about the significance of this region on the nation."

He said the site has seen increased visitation from farther outside of the area.

"And we want to see that expand, too," he said. "I'm looking forward to the challenge of making the site better. Most of all, I'm glad to be home."

©Scranton Times Tribune 2002



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