Season’s Greetings – from 1949!
The National Park Service is charged with preserving our nation’s history, including millions of original documents, photos, drawings, maps, personal letters, and other important records that chronicle the vital heritage and stories of the American people. And sometimes, the NPS archival collections even include some lighthearted mementos from our shared past.
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Grant’s Christmas Present to the Nation
Most of us probably assume that Christmas Day has always been a holiday in the U.S., even during colonial days. Not so – it wasn’t until 1870 that December 25 was proclaimed a national holiday. And we have President Ulysses S. Grant to thank for that official declaration.
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🎁 Gift Giving Made Easy 🎁
Stuck on what to give friends and family members this holiday season? If any of your loved ones are national parks lovers, history buffs, or outdoors enthusiasts, we’ve got you covered. We offer a wide range of keepsakes and products from our partner parks that are sure to please even the pickiest person on your gift list.
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The First to Inhabit Voyageurs National Park
November is Native American Heritage Month, an opportunity to celebrate the traditions, histories, and cultures of Indigenous American communities across the country. What a fitting time to honor the original inhabitants of what is now Voyageurs National Park.
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Help the Arch Celebrate a Glorious 60 Years
The Gateway Arch is celebrating its 60th anniversary and you’re invited to be part of the celebration! Sixty years ago on October 28, 1965, the final keystone piece was laid at the top of the monument, joining the two curving stainless steel legs of the 630-foot structure. Once that important triangular piece was inserted, the Arch soared into history as a symbol of Thomas Jefferson’s vision of westward expansion. And it took its place as the tallest manmade monument in the U.S.
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A Most Skilled Horseman
Many of our U.S. presidents were accomplished horsemen. George Washington was known as the “finest horseman of his age;” Thomas Jefferson rode nearly every day until late in life; Andrew Jackson bred and raced horses, stabling several at the White House; and Zachary Taylor grazed his beloved warhorse on the White House lawn. But Ulysses S. Grant is considered by many to be the most skilled horseman to ever occupy the Oval Office.
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A Treasure Trove of St. Louis History Re-opens
Are you a researcher, writer, or just plain old history buff wanting to learn more about the origins of Gateway Arch National Park, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, or the early history of St. Louis? Well, the park just made it easier to find what you’re looking for. Starting tomorrow, the park will open its new Archives Reading Room at the Gateway Arch National Park Research Center in downtown St. Louis.
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Birds of a Feather
You don’t have to be a birdwatcher to appreciate the need for preserving our feathered friends. Beyond their beauty and fascinating behaviors, birds are critical components of nearly every ecosystem on Earth. They play many roles – as predators, prey, scavengers, seed dispersers, and pollinators. They also respond quickly to changes in their surroundings, making them good indicators of environmental conditions. Monitoring bird population numbers is an important way for biologists to assess the health of local habitats.
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