Ed Bearss, chief historian emeritus of the National Park Service will be at Bachman Community Center on Signal Mountain to screen a documentary on his life and talk about the history of the National Park Service on Wednesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Mr. Bearss is a legendary character of the park service and this week the agency is celebrating their centennial. Nashville historian and documentary filmmaker David Currey will also be attending.
"Mr. Bearss has lead an extraordinary life. Not only is he one of the nation‘s authorities on Civil War history and battlefield preservation, he is also the most recognizable face and a living legend in the 100 year history of the National Park Service. In 2005, Smithsonian Magazine recognized him as one of the top 35 remarkable people every American should meet.
"Now 93-years-old, millions still remember his iconic voice from Ken Burns’ The Civil War. In 2014, David Currey, principal at Encore Interpretive Design and Road Films, produced a one-hour documentary on the man behind the legend. The one-hour film takes us on a journey from his early years in 1920s Montana, to his wounding by the Japanese in World War II, to his vaunted career in the NPS and the impact he has had on preserving some of America’s most important stories and places. All led by the master tour guide – Ed Bearss. Afterward, he will talk about his career in the National Park Service," officials said.
The event is sponsored by Encore Interpretive Design and the Bachman Community Center. Tickets are $10. DVDs of the documentary will be available for purchase.