The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail to host intern Sydni Ratliff-Phillips

News Release Date:
May 7, 2021

Baltimore, MD -- The National Park Service and the Friends of Fort McHenry (Friends) are excited to announce the addition of Sydni Ratliff-Phillips as an intern for the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail (Trail).

Ratliff-Phillips recently received her bachelor's degree in history from Morgan State University and will be pursuing her master's degree in history at the University of Delaware this fall. For her internship, she will be researching and developing content related to free and enslaved African Americans in the Chesapeake region during the War of 1812.

'Throughout my time at Morgan, one of the most important historical lessons I learned is this: History, as a discipline, is in part about telling untold stories,' said Ms. Ratliff-Phillips. 'I spent the better part of my sophomore through senior years doing just that - writing about people that popular history seems to have forgotten. From analyzing how women often dressed as men to serve in the Civil War to comparing how Black women civil rights activists were treated differently than their male counterparts, I told the stories of people who are often looked over. Through my research efforts here at the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail, I hope to shed light on the untold stories of African Americans and their contributions to the War of 1812.'

'We are very excited to have Sydni join our Trail team this season. The research project she is undertaking will help the Trail to expand its interpretation of previously untold histories related to the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake. The new content will ultimately be integrated into public programs and highlighted on the Trail's web site and social media outlets,' said David H. Moore, superintendent of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Hampton National Historic Site, and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail.

The internship position is funded by a generous grant awarded to the Friends from the Partnership for the National Trails Systems. The grant creates opportunities for young adults to become involved, or further their involvement, with our national trails while strengthening the capacity of the organizations and agencies that administer and manage the national scenic and historic trails.

'Opportunities of this nature are ones the Friends actively seek in order to better support our community and both Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine as well as the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail as it pertains to our mission', remarks Jesse Miller, Director of Friends of Fort McHenry. The Friends is one of 14 organizations listed as grant awardees and the Trail is one of 5 historic trails for whom this grant opportunity will benefit.

About the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
The Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail is a 560-mile land and water route that tells the story of the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake Bay region. The trail traces American and British troop movements, introduces visitors to communities affected by the war, and highlights the Chesapeake region's distinctive landscapes and waterways. It connects historic sites in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia and commemorates the events leading up to the Battle for Baltimore, the aftermath of which inspired Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem. Congress established the Star-Spangled Banner Trail in 2008 and it is one of 19 national historic trails administered by the National Park Service and one of 30 trails in the National Trails System. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/stsp.

About the Friends of Fort McHenry
The Friends of Fort McHenry serves to support educational programming and living history activities, and the creation of interpretive exhibits and visitor facilities that engender the widest appreciation of the Fort and the enduring legacy of 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' the U.S. national anthem. The Friends achieve this mission through generous support from those who value our heritage and the impact that history can have upon our young people. The Friends of Fort McHenry is a program of the Living Classrooms Foundation. For more information, visit www.friendsoffortmchenry.org.

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