Representatives from the Nez Perce National Historical Park present
President Dene Thomas with a commemorative plaque, thanking LCSC for its participation in
a survey of significant cultural and historical sites in the Northwest.
The project has resulted in a video-photographic record of natural and cultural resources
at park sites. Natural and human-caused changes over the last century have been cataloged,
including historic structures, archeology, cultural and geologic features, present
vegetation and steam and river channel changes.
The Nez Perce National Historical Park consists of 38 widely dispersed sites in the
Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. The photographic documentation process started in
1997, when LC Professor Sean Cassidy received a small grant to use digital video
technology to survey four park sites. In '98, the Canon Corporation contributed $50,000 to
expand the project, allowing the college and the park to document remaining sites.
Cassidy and his students were instrumental throughout the project. Along with park staff,
they researched a vast collection of historic photographs of sites, gathered from the
park, the Big Hole National Battle Field, Washington State University, the Luna House
Museum in Lewiston, the Clearwater National Forest and others, including individuals who
lived in
the area.
