David Ruth Is Richmond Superintendent
By Deborah Fitts

RICHMOND, Va. — David Ruth was named superintendent of Richmond National Battlefield Park in late May. He follows Cynthia MacLeod, who left the park in February to become take charge of Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia.

“I’m still pinching myself,” said Ruth of the appointment. He has worked at the park since 1991 and had served as deputy superintendent since 1999.

“I have extremely big shoes to fill,” Ruth added, citing MacLeod’s “aggressive” campaign to add land to the park’s holdings. Of the 7,300 acres placed within the park boundary through congressional legislation in 2000, so far the park has acquired ownership of nearly 2,000 acres. When Ruth arrived it was closer to 750 acres.

Ruth said he was interested not only in preserving land within the boundary, but also Civil War sites outside of the park.

“I really do believe that we’re in the last era of being able to preserve what we can,” he said. Realizing that the 2000 boundary was “very conservative,” the park is working with partners like the Civil War Preservation Trust and Richmond Battlefields Association to identify significant properties outside the boundary. There, “Easements and other preservation strategies” can be used for protection.

“If it’s an important Civil War site,” Ruth explained, “we definitely want to do what we can to preserve what remains.”

Ruth also cited success in recent months in obtaining a budget increase for this year that has enabled him to hire additional maintenance help for significant improvements to trails and roads.

At present the park’s 102 wayside markers are getting a complete makeover. And, in anticipation of the war’s upcoming 150th anniversary, the park has commissioned nine works of art that will include large paintings providing overviews of battle action at places like Cold Harbor, Gaines’ Mill and Malvern Hill.

Ruth also cited plans to increase the technical assistance that the park provides to the local community. The park aids both public and private organizations interested in installing walking tours or undertaking other projects to interpret and highlight their Civil War assets.

Mike Andrus, acting director of interpretation at the park, hailed Ruth’s “very active role in preservation.”

Andrus also said Ruth has been instrumental over the years in developing interpretive programming and expanding the offerings for visitors.

“He played a huge role in designing and implementing the new visitor center” at the old Tredegar Iron Works, Andrus said, as well as updating the medical museum at the Chimborazo site.

Ruth has also proved “very effective” in dealing with the park’s neighbors and partners, according to Andrus. “Dave has a way of putting other people at ease. One of his great strengths is as a communicator.”

 Ruth has worked for the National Park Service for more than 32 years. He began his career in 1973 as a seasonal park interpreter at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. He has also worked at Independence, at Manassas National Battlefield Park and at Fort Sumter National Monument.

 Ruth was born in Reading, Pa. He received a B.A. in history from Virginia Tech. He and his wife Chris have two daughters and a grandchild on the way. The Richmond park attracts 225,000 visitors a year.

The park also includes the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, commemorating Walker’s success as an African-American banker and businesswoman.