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Film, Video Peter Zahrt interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-17

Peter Zahrt interview, video.

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Peter Zahrt interview, audio recording.
Peter Zahrt interview, audio recording.

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[ Transcription of Peter Zahrt interview. ]

About this Item

Title

  • Peter Zahrt interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, 2014-04-17

Summary

  • U.S. Park Ranger Peter Zahrt began his law enforcement career in high school working as a security officer for the Indiana State Park system. After college, he attended several seasonal NPS law enforcement academies, which helped him secure a NPS job. Zahrt shares stories of his progress through the ranks, beginning with his first assignment as a seasonal law enforcement officer at Isle Royale National Park in Michigan. He explains how every park has different challenges for law enforcement rangers: for example, Isle Royale was remote and had a small few staff, so rangers had to cover all areas, including maintenance, law enforcement, and upkeep. Zahrt, who had just worked 30 days straight on fire duty, speaks about the importance of putting in your time to "prove yourself worthy." He discusses the need for specialized training for different park sites, and relates stories about his motorboat training and how he put these skills to use under adverse conditions; how his Isle Royale training was easily transferred to his stint at Cape Hatteras; and recounts law enforcement encounters at Mammoth Cave. He talks about his commitment to being a good steward of park resources; his pride in keeping the peace and enforcing the law; and his respect for all the rangers who came before him.

Names

  • Zahrt, Peter, interviewee
  • Björkman, Brent, interviewer
  • Occupational Folklife Project, sponsor

Created / Published

  • 2014-04-17

Headings

  • -  Zahrt, Peter--Interviews
  • -  Education
  • -  Initiation rites
  • -  Park rangers--Kentucky--Interviews
  • -  National parks and reserves--Kentucky
  • -  National parks and reserves--Employees--Kentucky
  • -  Police--Kentucky--Mammoth Cave National Park

Genre

  • Sound recordings
  • Video recordings
  • Interviews
  • Oral histories
  • Personal narratives

Notes

  • -  Recorded in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, April 17, 2014.
  • -  Ranger Lore: The Occupational Folklore of Park Rangers, Archie Green Fellows Project, 2013-2015 (AFC 2013/014: 00793) Archive of Folk Culture, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
  • -  To honor the memory of Archie Green (1917-2009), a fellowship program was established at the American Folklife Center in 2010. Archie Green Fellowships support new research in the contemporary culture and traditions of American workers.
  • -  In English.

Medium

  • 5 video recordings (00:33:36) : digital, sound, color, mov
  • 1 sound recording (00:33:36) : digital, sound, wav
  • 1 manuscript : pdf, docx, text file

Source Collection

  • Ranger Lore: The Occupational Folklore of Park Rangers, Archie Green Fellows Project, 2013-2015 AFC 2013/014: 00793

Repository

Digital Id

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2020785314

Rights Advisory

  • Duplication of collection materials may be governed by copyright and other restrictions.

Access Advisory

Online Format

  • image
  • audio
  • video
  • pdf

Additional Metadata Formats

Rights & Access

The Library of Congress is not aware of any U.S. copyright protection (see Title 17, U.S.C.) or any other restrictions in the material in this collection, except as noted below. Users should keep in mind that the Library of Congress is providing access to these materials strictly for educational and research purposes. The written permission of the copyright owners and/or other holders of rights (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. See our Legal Notices and Privacy and Publicity Rights for additional information and restrictions.

The individuals documented by the Occupational Folklife Project retain copyright and related rights to the use of their recorded and written testimonies and memories.  They have granted the Library of Congress permission to provide access to their interviews and related materials for purposes that are consistent with the agency’s educational mission, such as publication and transmission, in whole or in part, on the Web. Project participants’ written permission is required for any commercial, profit-making distribution, reproduction, or other use beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item.

The American Folklife Center and the Occupational Folklife Project fieldworkers who carry out these projects feel a strong ethical responsibility to the people they have visited and who have consented to have their lives documented for the historical record. The Center asks that researchers approach the materials in this collection with respect for the culture and sensibilities of the people whose lives, ideas, and creativity are documented here. Researchers are also reminded that privacy and publicity rights may pertain to certain uses of this material.

Researchers or others who would like to make further use of these collection materials should contact the Folklife Reading Room for assistance. 

Credit line

African American Nurses: The Chi Eta Phi Sorority: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2021-2022 (AFC 2021/009), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Agricultural Aviation: Crop Dusters in Rural America: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/007), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Baton Rouge Small Businesses and Trades: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2014-2015 (AFC 2014/023), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Beyond the Breakwater: Gulf of Alaska Small-Boat Fishermen: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2021-2022 (AFC 2021/007), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

The "Big Top" Show Goes On: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2011-2012 (AFC 2012/003), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Boeing Aircraft Factory Workers: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2012-2013 (AFC 2012/036), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Cement Workers in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/008), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Commercial Bookbinders: Occupational Folklife Project, 2017-2018 (AFC 2017/021), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Community Health Workers in Downstate New York: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2021-2022 (AFC 2021/008), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Cultural Traditions of Ironworkers in America's Upper Midwest: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2011-2012 (AFC 2011/062), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Custodians and Janitors in Colorado: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2021-2022 (AFC 2021/012), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Dairy Farm Workers in New York's North Country: Archie Green Fellows project, 2012-2013 (AFC 2012/033), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Doctoring: The Occupational Folklore of Physicians: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2019-2020 (AFC 2019/030), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Domestic Workers United: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2015-2016 (AFC 2015/027), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Ethnic Grocers in the Urban Midwest: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2014-2015 (AFC 2013/016), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Finding Roots: Asian American Farmers in Contemporary America: Occupational Folklife Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/014), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Fixing, Mending, Making New: North Carolina's Repair Professionals: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/009), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Food Processing and Food Legacy Trades: Occupational Folklife Project, 2016-2017 (AFC 2015/042), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Fresh Produce Workers in Arizona: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2015-2016 (AFC 2015/028), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Funeral Services Workers in the Carolinas: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2016-2017 (AFC 2016/037), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Grass-Roots Agriculture in Vermont: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2014-2015 (AFC 2014/022), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

The Green Book--Documenting African American entrepreneurs: Archie Green Fellows project, 2018-2019 (AFC 2018/029), Archie Green Fellows Project American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Hairdresser and Beauty Shop Culture in America: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2011-2012 (AFC 2012/035), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Homeless Shelter Workers in the Upper Midwest: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2016-2017 (AFC 2016/034), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Hope for Recovery: Peer Support Workers in Kentucky: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/010), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Illuminating History: Union Electricians in New York City: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2016-2017 (AFC 2016/035), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Immigrant Women Artists in Oklahoma: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/011), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Independent Professional Wrestlers in Central Appalachia: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2019-2020 (AFC 2019/029), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Kitchen Workers in Central Ohio: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2017-2018 (AFC 2017/020), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Midwives, doulas, and birth workers in North Carolina: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2019-2020 (AFC 2019/027), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Multigenerational African-Descended Farmers of the Midwest: Surviving Erasure: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2019-2021 (AFC 2019/028), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

National Press Club collection: Occupational Folklife Project (AFC 2012/004), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Nursing America's Veterans: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/012), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Occupational Lives of Religious Workers in Kentuckiana: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2022-2023 (AFC 2022/022), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Personal Home Health Care Aides in Michigan: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2017-2018 (AFC 2017/018), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Poultry Workers of North Carolina : Archie Green Fellows Project, 2022-2023 (AFC 2022/021), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Production Potters of the Midwest: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2018-2019 (AFC 2018/030), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Psychiatric nurses in Wisconsin: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2018-2019 (AFC 2018/032), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Ranger Lore: The Occupational Folklore of Park Rangers: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2013-2015 (AFC 2013/014), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

The Ransomville Speedway: Dirt Track Racing in Western New York: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2020-2021 (AFC 2020/013), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Recent Immigrant Workers in Iowa's Meatpacking Industry: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2015-2016 (AFC 2015/026), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Rural Free Delivery: Mail Carriers in Central Appalachia: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2021-2022 (AFC 2021/010), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Stable Views: Voices and Stories from the Thoroughbred Racetrack: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2011-2012 (AFC 2012/034), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Taking Care--Documenting the Occupational Culture of Home Care Workers: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2014-2015 (AFC 2014/021), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Teaching in Wisconsin Classrooms: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2013-2015 (AFC 2013/017), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Tillamook: Cheesemakers in Coastal Oregon: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2021-2022 (AFC 2021/011), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Tobacco Workers of the Connecticut River Valley: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2014-2015 (AFC 2014/020), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Training the Troops: Military Role-Players of Fort Polk, Louisiana: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2017-2018 (AFC 2017/019), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Trash Talk: Workers in Vermont's Waste Management Industry: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2018-2019 (AFC 2018/031), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Washington State Workers: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2012-2013 (AFC 2012/032), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Western Folklife Center Occupational Folklore Project: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2011-2012 (AFC 2011/064), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Winery Workers in Virginia: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2017-2018 (AFC 2017/017), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Women Architects: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2019-2020 (AFC 2019/031), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Working the Port of Houston: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2011-2012 (AFC 2012/006), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Working the Waterfront, New Bedford, Massachusetts: Archie Green Fellows Project, 2016-2017 (AFC 2016/036), American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Zahrt, Peter, Interviewee, Brent Björkman, and Sponsor Occupational Folklife Project. Peter Zahrt interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, -04-17. -04-17, 2014. Pdf. https://aj.sunback.homes/item/2020785314/.

APA citation style:

Zahrt, P., Björkman, B. & Occupational Folklife Project, S. (2014) Peter Zahrt interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, -04-17. -04-17. [Pdf] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://aj.sunback.homes/item/2020785314/.

MLA citation style:

Zahrt, Peter, Interviewee, Brent Björkman, and Sponsor Occupational Folklife Project. Peter Zahrt interview conducted by Brent A. Bjorkman, -04-17. -04-17, 2014. Pdf. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <aj.sunback.homes/item/2020785314/>.