In the Heart of the Forest: Extraordinary Volunteers in the Lumber Heritage Region Mark Thompson: Tangible History, Tireless Passion

In the Heart of the Forest: Extraordinary Volunteers in the Lumber Heritage Region

Mark Thompson: Tangible History, Tireless Passion

In the heart of Pennsylvania’s Lumber Heritage Region, amid the whispering trees and historic echoes of log drives and CCC camps, you’ll often find Mark Thompson—retired FBI agent, former pharmacist, educator, and now a passionate volunteer breathing new life into the artifacts of the past.

From the FBI to Forest Trails

Mark’s journey to the LHR began over two decades ago when he and his wife settled in Tioga County, drawn by the charm of its small towns and the promise of endless outdoor adventure. After an accomplished career—first earning a pharmacy degree from South Dakota State, then owning his own pharmacy, and ultimately serving 21 years in the FBI-Mark retired with time on his hands and a desire to find meaningful, hands-on work.

He found it at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, where his lifelong love of mechanics, equipment maintenance, and electronics merged with his passion for history. Volunteering alongside the museum’s maintenance director Paul, Mark has helped restore vital artifacts, including a 1952 D2 Caterpillar, a Prentice log loader, an F-700 truck, and even curated and assembled a wood cookie cut from one of Pennsylvania’s oldest trees.

For Mark, this isn’t just about preservation—it’s about experience.

“People need to touch history. They need to see it and feel it, not just click a link online,” he insists.

Preserving Forgotten Stories

One of Mark’s most passionate projects stems from an overlooked chapter of American history. While hiking with his wife in Potter County, Mark discovered there was no Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) marker at the site of a known but unacknowledged segregated CCC camp: Bark Shanty, Camp S-146, Company 2336. The camp had operated from 1935 to 1941, and yet there was no signage, no memorial, no story being told.

Motivated by a small museum display and his personal experiences growing up during the Civil Rights Movement, Mark launched a campaign to recognize and preserve this vital part of history. A strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Mark is committed to ensuring that all stories—especially those of historically underrepresented groups—are remembered and honored.

Working as a professor at Mansfield University at the time, he began reaching out to potential partners. It took two years of persistence—a value he holds dear—but his efforts paid off.

He rallied support from volunteers, DCNR agencies, and the Lumber Heritage Region itself, eventually laying the groundwork for an archeological initiative and historical interpretation at the Bark Shanty site.

“Institutions move slow,” Mark says. “You have to stay on task and be persistent.”

Leading by Example

Mark’s energy is as boundless as the forests he explores. An avid hiker, biker, and motorcyclist, he spends his free time immersed in the outdoors, often reflecting on the young men aged 18 to 25 who once worked for $1 a day to build the parks and trails we now enjoy. For him, their legacy is personal and deeply motivating.

He’s also clear on the power of volunteerism:

“You have to insist on doing things you love. Don’t expect to be paid for it. That’s how you truly make a difference.”

If resources were no object, Mark dreams of fully restoring every piece of equipment at the museum, ensuring all parts are functional and educational. He envisions a future where every exhibit is alive, not just displayed but demonstrating, engaging, and teaching.

Legacy in Action

Mark’s work—whether it’s turning wrenches on a vintage engine or fighting to preserve the stories of forgotten communities—is rooted in a desire to serve. His motivation comes from knowing he’s giving others a richer, more meaningful experience of Pennsylvania’s forestry and cultural legacy.

And as he sees it, the best way to honor history is not to digitize it, but to dust it off, fix it up, and put it back to work.

Mark Thompson embodies the mission of the Lumber Heritage Region: preserving the past, promoting learning, and building connections between people and place. Through his work, the region’s stories—especially those at risk of being forgotten—remain not only visible, but vividly alive.

Written by Holly Komonczi, Executive Director, LHR