A04 SOW.docx

S C O P E O F W O R K

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

FIRST LADIES NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

OHIO

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR – NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

PMIS PROJECT NUMBER # 252649

I. Introduction The National Park Service (NPS), through the Midwest Regional Office (MWRO), requires the performance of research and writing of an Administrative History for First Ladies National Historic Site, Canton, Ohio. The history will help complete basic historical documentation of the park’s history and resources as developed and managed by the National First Ladies’ Library (NFLL) and the National Park Service. The information contained in the Administrative History is essential for present and future interpretation and resource management.

This Administrative History is a comprehensive synthesis of primary and secondary source material that is pertinent specifically to First Ladies National Historic Site. The study shall conform to professional standards regarding methodology of historical research and writing. Stylistic, bibliographical, and report production standards shall conform to the current edition of the Chicago Manual of Style. The study will include an oral history project whereby sixteen (16) current and former NPS employees, NFLL partners, and community members important to the history of this park unit will be interviewed in person, digitally recorded, and transcriptions prepared.

The Administrative History, including enumerated appendices, graphics, and index shall be completed within twenty-four months from the date of contract award.

II. DESCRIPTION OF THE RESOURCES

First Ladies National Historic Site in Canton, Ohio, was authorized by Congress on October 11, 2000, and consists of the Ida Saxton McKinley house and the Education and Research Center, the former City National Bank Building. The site is operated by the National Park Service and National First Ladies’ Library under a cooperative agreement and the NPS Site Manager reports to the Superintendent of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

The idea for a unit of the National Park System dedicated to the legacy of the nation’s First Ladies originated with Mary Regula, wife of Ohio Congressman Ralph Regula. It was during her residency in Washington, D.C., that Mary Regula became interested in the subject and, using her influence and connections, created a board to raise revenue for a historian to amass a comprehensive bibliography on the First Ladies of the United States. This inspired the creation of a nonprofit organization, National First Ladies’ Library, in 1994 and a national park unit six years later.

Both NPS and NFLL educates the public about the contributions of all First Ladies and other notable women in American history. Interpreters and educators provide tours, programs, and classes at the park and in local schools. NFLL also provides access to an electronic virtual library that includes bibliographies, biographies, and curriculum of all First Ladies and White House hostesses.

The Saxton-McKinley House is the last remaining home with direct ties to Ida and William McKinley in their hometown of Canton, Ohio. Ida Saxton McKinley was born and raised in the home, and it remained in her family until 1919. Additionally, the house served as the primary residence for Mr. and Mrs. McKinley from 1878 to 1891 while William served in the U.S. House of Representatives. The house was constructed in different periods. The rear of the home was built in 1841 by George Dewalt, Ida's maternal grandfather. Dewalt would later will the home to Ida's parents, Katherine Dewalt and John Saxton. In 1870, John added the front section onto the home to make room for his large family, which included Katherine, Ida and her two siblings, and their Grandfather Dewalt.

After Ida's 1871 marriage to Major William McKinley, a Civil War veteran, Ida and her husband would move into a house several blocks north. The house was a gift to the couple from Ida's father, who was a prominent Canton banker. The next six years would prove to be difficult for Ida, who had grown up quite happy and privileged. She had two children, but unfortunately lost both of her daughters at young ages. Additionally, the sudden loss of her mother weighed heavily upon Ida. It was at this time that several health conditions began to trouble her, including migraines and epilepsy--a disorder that was not well-understood at the time. The couple moved to the Saxton-McKinley House, as their family home held too many bad memories for Ida.

In 1877, the McKinley's surroundings changed. When William was elected to Congress, the couple occupied a suite in Washington D.C. In 1890, William lost his Congressional seat, but in 1891, he was elected Governor of Ohio, and Ida and William moved to Columbus. Soon after, in 1895, William and Ida moved back to the home Ida's father had purchased for them in Canton. This residence was nicknamed the "Campaign House," as it was the location of William's 1896 front porch campaign for the United States presidency. However, the McKinley’s did not reside in the home; rather, it served as a stage for William's campaign. The couple lived primarily at the Saxton-McKinley House with Mary Barber, Ida's sister, and her family. Ida did not move back to the "Campaign House" until after William's assassination in 1901. In total, the couple lived in the historic Saxton-McKinley House for 13 years; the home was their primary residence throughout the majority of the McKinley's married life.

In the more recent past, the Saxton-McKinley House became the home of the National First Ladies’ Library in 1996. The library was dedicated at a ceremony attended by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. The Library itself is unique, as is the story of the Saxton-McKinley House. The National First Ladies’ Library took great care in carefully restoring the home to the Victorian era with the help of Dr. Sheila Fisher. After leading the restoration process of the Saxton-McKinley House, Dr. Fisher described the job as being one of "historic restoration and historic renovation." In a book published by The National First Ladies’ Library titled This Elevated Position, Dr. Fisher states that, "Restoration has involved finding an actual item that was in the house--even if it is not in the best condition--that would be carefully restored to its best possible condition and then placed back just where it was. Renovating has been a process of reconstructing a room back to its approximate look and choosing furniture and furnishings that give it the look of the era without actually being the original items that were in that room."

Today, visiting the Saxton-McKinley House is like taking a step back in time. Furnished with authentic Victorian furniture--some of it belonging to the McKinley’s--the house gives the public a vision of what the home looked like during the life and times of Ida and William McKinley. The décor, from wallpaper to accent pieces, reflects the opulence that the wealthy Saxton family would have accumulated and displayed.

The restored home is impressive, considering the Saxton-McKinley House's humble beginnings and rough past. The guided tour takes visitors on all three floors of the home, teaching guests about one of our first ladies and highlighting the formal parlors, Ida's bedroom, and the third-floor ballroom.

Like the Saxton-McKinley House, the City Bank Building has been restored to reflect its original design and decor. Constructed in 1895, City National Bank is a six-story masonry Richardsonian Romanesque Revival style building. The building was constructed in a "U" shape, which allows for a skylight. The skylight overlooks the location of the original teller's station. The glass ceiling and floor tiles also allow the sun to light the lower level of the bank building.

By 1916, City National Bank ranked fourth among Canton's major banks with assets of $2.8 million. In 1923, the City National Bank was absorbed by another bank. When the bank closed and the building was abandoned, the historic structure fell into disrepair. However, it was rescued by Marshall Belden, Jr.--grandson of Mary Saxton Barber, Ida Saxton McKinley's sister--and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in Stark County, Ohio, on July 15, 1982. The bank building was gifted to the National First Ladies Library in 1999.

The interior of the bank was restored to its original design. While the teller's booth, light fixtures, and wallpaper are not original to the building, they were chosen according to how the bank may have originally been decorated. Design of the light fixtures mimic those in the Chicago Public Library, as the buildings were constructed around the same time. While the majority of the building has been rehabilitated to reflect the Victorian period, the bank's windows, doors, and marble are original. Two of the original doors show glass etchings of "City National Bank." The glass in the windows was replaced, and the original panes were being stored; however, when the National First Ladies’ Library took ownership of the building, the original glass was reinstalled. The age of the windows is reflected in the imperfections of the glass.

Now, the City National Bank building houses the Education Center of First Ladies National Historic Site and the National First Ladies’ Library. The first floor is open to the public and has rotating exhibits on a variety of First Ladies and women’s history theme; the lower level houses the theater. The second floor contains the research library, which is available to guests by appointment only. Lastly, floors 3-6 are offices and collections/archives storage. Each floor is dedicated to one of Ohio seven First Ladies.

Research Project – Develop and Complete the Administrative History for First Ladies National Historic Site

This project will provide a comprehensive up to date Administrative History of First Ladies National Historic Site, documenting its conception, authorization, and the major issues that have shaped the past and current management philosophies. This document will describe the site’s development and operational history both by NPS and NFLL, and how it has been managed to the present day.

The Administrative History is an urgent necessity for current management as it will examine events while they are still in the recent past and while the individuals who participated in these events are able to provide primary source material from living memory. A historian(s) will be contracted to prepare the Administrative History. It will be based on an analysis of primary and secondary source material from park records, local archives, and regional office files; primary sources include oral history interviews with former employees and others associated with First Ladies National Historic Site.

An NPS Administrative History is a history of a park unit as an institutional entity. Its purpose is to present the history of First Ladies National Historic Site since the time it was first proposed through Congressional authorization and subsequent NPS/NFLL management. It provides NPS managers a historic context for making decisions on issues relevant to park management. This research project will include a legislative history detailing federal laws relevant to First Ladies National Historic Site. It will also focus on all studies, plans, restoration/preservation activities, and management decisions regarding the operation, interpretation, and preservation of First Ladies National Historic Site.

This project will require primary and secondary research into the Administrative History of First Ladies National Historic Site. The completed study will include the following elements:

A. Introduction providing an overview of Canton and Ohio’s prehistory and history including geology, American Indian habitation, Euro-American exploration and settlement, Market Avenue and development of the Saxton Block, the 1895 Bank Building (current Education Research Center), Saxton-McKinley House and family history, Ida Saxton and William McKinley’s birth, childhood, marriage, career, life accomplishments, and efforts to preserve and protect the two historic structures of First Ladies National Historic Site leading to the formation and activities of the National First Ladies’ Library.

B. Legislative history leading to the authorization of First Ladies National Historic Site in 2000. The legislative history must be detailed and include 1) critical statements or endorsements by congressional members that influenced authorization; 2) public testimony, (e.g. individual or group) statements and/or endorsements that contributed to the eventual park boundaries; and 3) passage of legislation, dedication ceremonies, and public reaction.

Nine months after contract award, the contractor will supply draft chapters for A. and B. to NPS for review and approval.

C. The primary emphasis of the study will provide a description and analysis of the development and administration of First Ladies National Historic Site as a unit of the National Park System and its oversight by other nearby park units, including James A. Garfield National Historic Site and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The study will look at the National First Ladies’ Library’s role in managing the site. The origin and rationale for key management decisions going back to development of the site beginning in the mid-1990’s shall be thoroughly discussed and reference made to planning documents, studies, and other historical, archeological, and scientific research reports that resulted in major management decisions. Other topics, in addition to those enumerated above, to examine (in no particular order) include:

Contents of all NPS and NFLL reports and plans are to be summarized and management decisions explained.

The study will elaborate on First Ladies National Historic Site’s management by other nearby NPS units such as James A. Garfield National Historic Site and Cuyahoga Valley National Park, including services provided by those parks, assignment of a local NPS Site Manager, and its treatment as an administrative sub-unit or satellite park. Explain how the relationship works in terms of park operations and management authority. Discuss the cooperative agreement with National First Ladies’ Library and how that relationship has developed over time. Attention will be paid to the annual budget and projects accomplished in this partnership park unit.

Policy development and changes over time.

NFLL Document Archives

NFLL Photographic Archives

This Elevated Position—“: A Catalogue and Guide to the National First Ladies’ Library and the Importance of First Lady History (2003)

Building Plans for 1895 Bank Building and the Saxton-McKinley House

Foundation Document Overview Statement for Management and Planning General Management Plan required within three years of establishment (2003) and completed on July 29, 2003.

Succession of site managers/superintendents and their accomplishments.

Interpretation and education programs and how they evolved over time. Museum exhibits and collections. Long-Range Interpretive Plan. Wayside exhibits. Web site introduction and development. Interpretive films. Park store. Cooperating association.

Americans with Disabilities Act compliance within First Ladies National Historic Site.

Partnerships with local, regional, and national governments and organizations.

Technological updates with computer technology; use of radio communications; land line telephone service and cellular service.

Cultural resources management. List of Classified Structures (LCS) and Cultural Landscape Inventory (CLI) initiatives and enrolled properties. National Register listings. Need for a park-wide National Register nomination.

Role and involvement of Washington Office, Midwest Regional Office (Omaha, NE), Midwest Archeological Center (Lincoln, NE), Denver Service Center, and Harpers Ferry Center.

NFLL Collections Database, collection of furnishings and objects, Scope of Collections Statement, curatorial issues Programming for a Historic Structure Report/Cultural Landscape Report Funding annual Volunteer Program operations to support VIP docents who provide tours Implementing cyclic maintenance program for repairing, painting, carpet replacement, repaving/crack seal and reseal coat Saxton House parking lot, repointing of foundation and exterior walls; repair/replacement of roof rails, etc.

Updating two circulating pumps to maintain heating system at Saxton House and ultimate replacement of three heat pumps with 75,000 BTU heat pumps (2005); replace deteriorated cooling tower; emergency replacement of entire heating system after total system failure (2018).

Conduct a Visitor Survey Project (VSP) to assess interpretive and other visitor services and identify visitor demographics and underserved populations.

Replace two 100,000 MBH hot water boilers for Education and Research Center with energy efficient boilers (2018); fabricate new steel front stairs; roof replacement; repair and refinish exterior windows; repair critical system of exterior envelope—tuckpoint brick veneer and eliminate water infiltration.

Installation of hydraulic chairlift in Education and Research Center visitor center Refinish hardwood flooring at Saxton House GMP out-dated—only one of partners existing staff was involved in that planning process Long-Range Interpretive Plan (2017) Produce park film to increase visitor understanding and relevance. Because of the site’s limited ability to discuss all of the First Ladies of the United States at once, the film will be a key asset in expanding the interpretation of First Ladies. A comprehensive film will fulfill the visitor’s desire to learn about all of the First Ladies—an expectation that is currently unmet.

2019: NPS adopts an active interpretive role at First Ladies National Historic Site.

The contractor will provide within six months of contract award a detailed outline of the Administrative History for NPS review and approval.

The Administrative History must place First Ladies National Historic Site in context with the evolution of management policies, procedures, and practices of NPS and NFLL over time. This would include discussion of relationships and services provided by but not limited to inter-agency offices such as the Washington Office, Midwest Regional Office, Denver Service Center, Midwest Archeological Center, and Harpers Ferry Center. Contractor will utilize the files, library, and archives of First Ladies National Historic Site, including NFLL records.

The project will also involve investigating the Ralph S. Regula Papers (SPEC RG 57.C), Ohio Public Policy Archives at the University Archives, The Ohio State University, 2700 Kenny Road, Columbus, Ohio. Ralph S. Regula (R.-OH) from Navarre, Ohio, served the 16th District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1973 to 2009. Congressman Regula authored the park’s enabling legislation, assisted its passage in Congress, and supported his wife’s activities with NFLL. The Regula Papers will be invaluable in research and writing the park’s legislative history.

D. Oral history interviews with key decision-making personnel. Because NPS documentation is not complete, oral history interviews will be especially useful in the Administrative History. There are no existing oral history interviews pertaining to this park unit.

Interviewees for this project are concentrated principally in Northeast Ohio, however there are two in California and one in Kansas.

Sixteen (16) formal oral history interviews will be conducted in person according to professional standards with current and/or retired NPS employees, community members, and partners pertinent to the park’s history as follows (grouped geographically, names and contact information to be provided following contract award):

National Park Service:

J. D. – retired Cuyahoga Valley National Park superintendent - Hudson Ohio C. K. – former Cuyahoga Valley National Park superintendent - Point Reyes Station, CA S. W. – former James A. Garfield National Historic Site superintendent - Topeka, KS J. M. – NPS Midwest Region Partnerships/Agreements Specialist - Peninsula, OH J. V. – Chief of Interpretation, Cuyahoga Valley National Park - Broadview Heights, OH C. W. – Current Site Manager - Canton, OH

National First Ladies’ Library:

P. K. – former Executive Director - Canal Fulton, OH G. F. – retired Bookkeeper - Mineral City, OH C. F. – retired Director of Education - Massillon, OH M. R. – former Librarian - Navarre, OH M. G. – current Director of Collections & Research - Canton, OH M. B. – Saxton-McKinley descendent - Lisbon, OH J. H. – current President/CEO - Akron, OH J. B. - Stark Community Foundation - Wooster, OH C. A. – former Historian- Los Angeles, CA M. H. – McKinley Library Historical Society - Massillon, OH

A list of alternate interviewees will be provided in case any of the above candidates are unwilling or unable for whatever reason to participate. The alternates may be interviewed via telephone and not in-person.

Oral history interviews will be conducted in person, digitally recorded, transcripts produced, a digital photograph of each interviewee taken, and assignment of interview rights forms signed. All interviewees will be given an opportunity to review and edit his/her interview transcript over a one-month period.

Within one year of contract award, contractor will provide transcriptions of all oral history interviews for NPS inspection and approval.

F. Bibliography of source materials, including all previous research, surveys, and reports dealing with First Ladies National Historic Site.

G. Appendices: Information including, but not limited to, all pertinent legislation, maps and/or drawings, listing of annual budgets, and a comprehensive listing of past and present NPS personnel, will be included in the Administrative History's appendix. The study shall include appropriate maps and other figures within the narrative, including historic and contemporary photographs. The photographs shall have captions and identify their source.

H. Contractor shall also prepare two short articles (1 to 2 pages) on any topic related to this Administrative History to be uploaded to the park’s website or other internet site.

I. A draft of the completed Administrative History with all above specified elements will be prepared and provided to NPS for review and comment according to a planning schedule and matrix outlined between NPS and contractor at the start of the project. Contractor will then incorporate all comments and resubmit a final draft. Following approval of the Administrative History by NPS, an index (generated by the latest version of Microsoft Word) will be prepared which incorporates all significant names, places, objects, activities, and programs referenced in the document. Used in conjunction with the Table of Contents, the Index will assist readers find particular topics of interest with ease. The final draft will then be reviewed by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) to ensure all NPS comments have been incorporated, and then submitted for approval signatures.

III. General Quote Outlines

The prospective contractor must formulate a study quote and itemized cost breakdown in response to this Scope of Work. The quote must describe in detail the investigator's research strategy and qualifications of personnel responsible for completion of the study. Minimally, the study must individually address each topic (A-I) outlined in Section II, above.

The quote will consist of:

A. Research strategy

1. A description of the methods, techniques, and procedures of research, including a summary of repositories and other sources of information to be used.

2. A planning schedule and matrix identifying key project milestones and associated products pertaining to the project.

3. A preliminary draft for NPS review, a final review draft, and, following the recommendation of the Site Manager and Superintendent; concurrence by the Associate Regional Director, Cultural Resources; and approval by the Regional Director, 100 printed and perfect bound copies will be delivered to NPS.

B. Personnel qualifications

1. The Principal Investigator The Principal Investigator (PI) is responsible for all aspects of managing the proposed study. The PI must have a Ph.D. or equivalent in United States History (no exceptions). A level of experience equivalent to a Ph.D. is acceptable and may be evidenced by a publication record demonstrating a professional level of research, analysis, and report preparation. It is expected that the publication record will reflect an understanding and ability to apply research methodology, and education and experience beyond that of a project historian.

2. Project Historian(s) Although the overall research design, guidance, and responsibility for the completed study lies with the Principal Investigator, the PI may utilize the assistance of project historians (PH) and other project staff at their discretion to accomplish the research. The minimum requirements for a PH are a Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in United States History or Public History from an accredited college or university followed by two years of graduate study with a concentration in the field. A Master's thesis in history or its equivalent in research and publication are highly recommended.

3. Standards for consultants Personnel hired or subcontracted for their special knowledge and expertise must carry academic and experiential qualifications in their particular area of expertise. Such qualifications are to be documented by means of vitae attachments when the quote is prepared and submitted.

C. Price Breakdown

The prospective contractor must submit a line-item cost breakdown for the project, including the following items:

1. Personnel services

a. Principal Investigator

b. Other personnel

c. Miscellaneous personal expenses

2. Supplies and equipment

3. Travel

4. Cost of analysis and report preparation

5. Overhead, Indirect, and In-kind costs as applicable

6. Other expenses

7. Total project cost

The quote must include a work schedule diagramming the duration of field and archival work outlined in the research strategy section of the quote.

IV. Additional Contract Requirements

A. General provisions

1. Prospective contractors should note that the research design submitted by the contractor becomes a binding element of the contract and is expected to be carried out. The research performed and reported must meet the minimum requirements.

2. Within 30 days of award of contract, the contractor shall attend a virtual post-award scoping meeting with NPS staff to discuss technical aspects of the contract and to confirm the planning schedule for the submission of the deliverables.

3. The production of the Administrative History shall be completed within 24 months of contract award.

B. Report standards/format and submission schedule The final report will be in the latest version of Microsoft Word and include the information required in the specifications listed in Section II, above. It must be typed on 8-1/2 by 11-inch white paper. All pages must be numbered. Copies of photographs (screened for reproduction clarity), maps, drawings, and text must be clean, clear, and legible. The format must comply with the latest edition of the Chicago Manual of Style. The document must be Section 508 compliant.

In addition, all reports must contain the following:

1. Title/Cover page listing the name of the Principal Investigator. If the report is also authored by Project Historians, the title page must identify the author(s) and bear the inscription, "Prepared under the supervision of (name), Principal Investigator." The title/cover page shall also include signature and date lines for four approving officials in the following order: "Recommended/Site Manager, First Ladies National Historic Site/Date; Recommended/Superintendent, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, James A. Garfield National Historic Site, First Ladies National Historic Site/Date; Concurred/Associate Regional Director, Cultural Resources, Midwest Region/Date; and Approved/Regional Director, Midwest Region/Date."

2. Five (5) hard copies of the chapter outline will be submitted six months following contract award for NPS review and approval. The outline shall include descriptions of each chapter containing sufficient detail to demonstrate the complete range of topics and themes to be discussed as well as chronological periods. NPS will provide review comments on the chapter outline to the PI within 30 days of receipt of the document. The PI shall make necessary revisions and submit the final chapter outline to NPS within 15 days of receipt by the contractor. The outline will provide the basis for the “Table of Contents” for the Administrative History.

3. Five (5) hard copies of the draft report will be submitted twenty months following contract award to NPS for review. The draft will be typed, double-spaced, with numbered reference lines in the left margins on each page of text and will include all maps, graphics, footnotes, and appendices to be included in the final report. The draft will be reviewed by NPS for contract sufficiency and professional quality. Within 45 days of receipt by NPS, the draft will be reviewed and the contractor will be notified when review comments will be transmitted. During the period of revision of the draft, the contractor will consult with NPS to ensure the satisfactory resolution of review comments and submission of a final draft in a timely manner.

4. A final draft report addressing review comments transmitted to the contractor by NPS will be submitted to NPS prior to printing of the final document. The contractor will design appropriate cover art/graphics including the NPS Arrowhead for the camera-ready final document. Color photographs are required for contemporary scenes while black and white photographs are approved for historic scenes. Printing on the document's spine will include title, author, National Park Service, and year of publication. Within 60 days of NPS acceptance of the final draft (indicated by the three required signatures specified above) and before expiration of the twenty-four month contract period of performance, the contractor will furnish one (1) camera-ready unbound final document printed on archival paper, 100 dry ink digital printed and separately perfect-bound copies of the report, and a compact computer disk or disks containing the final document in the latest version of Microsoft Word.

5. All formal oral history interviews conducted will be digitally recorded and transcriptions prepared. All interview candidates must sign an interview rights release form (format to be supplied by NPS). Any additional interviews which take place on an informal basis (i.e., telephonically) must be comprehensively documented in a memorandum of telephone call. All recordings, transcripts, interview rights release forms, photographs, and memoranda of telephone calls will be transmitted to NPS with the final document.

C. Disposition of data

At the conclusion of research and within 60 days of written acceptance of the final camera-ready report, all notes, records, maps, drawings, photographs, negatives, slides, digital images, tapes, digital recordings transcripts, and other data acquired during the course of this study will be professionally organized for archival purposes and submitted to the Contracting Officers Representative, to be deposited in the archives of First Ladies National Historic Site.

D. Progress reports

Quarterly progress reports during the performance of the research and writing phases of this contract are required. The initial due date will be 90 days after contract award. All quarterly reports will be submitted to the Contracting Officer’s Representative, who will be appointed at the time of contract award.

V. Payment

Partial payments may be made up to 80% of the contract award amount. Payments must be based on deliverables accepted by the government (see FAR 52.212-4(a), Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items, Inspection/Acceptance & FAR 52.211-1, Time of Delivery). Payment requests must be in accordance with the clause titled, Electronic Invoicing and Payment Requirements - Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

VI. Endorsement Quotes submitted for consideration must be accompanied by a signed cover letter. If the quote is submitted by an organization it must bear the endorsement of both the Principal Investigator and a representative of the organization who is empowered to commit the organization to such an undertaking.