Natural Bridges National Monument - Centennial Celebration (U.S. National Park Service)

Date: April 29, 2008

On April 16, 2008, Natural Bridges National Monument celebrated its 100th anniversary. A dedication ceremony was held at the Visitor Center, with a special birthday cake and a visit from President Theodore Roosevelt.

To continue the celebration, Natural Bridges will be offering special centennial activities throughout the year. For some events, the schedule is still in the making, but planned activities are listed below.

UPDATE
Learn more about the Plein Air Art Competition to be held in late August.

NPS Photo by Neal Herbert

Theodore Roosevelt (Chief Ranger Scott Ryan) delivers a birthday address at Natural Bridges on April 16, 2008.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

April 16, 2008
Centennial Dedication of Natural Bridges N.M., with a presentation by President Theodore Roosevelt.

April 19, 2008
A community organized event: Tessa’s Hope, Century Ride for Autism, a special bicycle ride for the cure for autism that will tour through Natural Bridges N.M. For more information, please see their web site: www.tessashope.org.

April/May, 2008
Drawing competition for students in the local Outdoor Education Program. Entries will be displayed at the Natural Bridges Visitor Center throughout the year.

May 3, 4, 2008
An Edge of the Cedars State Park event, in Blanding UT. The Native American Arts Market. National Park Service will host a children’s section where they can take part in ancient Native American crafts and skills. For information on the Art Market itself, please contact Edge of the Cedars Visitor Center at (435) 678-2238.

June or July, 2008
Natural Bridges is interested in hosting a Regional History Weekend, to dates not set bring recollections, oral histories and demonstrations of traditional skills of the Native American, Anglo-American Pioneers, and Hispanic communities in the San Juan County area.

August 29-31, 2008
A Plein Air art competition. (Labor Day Weekend) A Star Party of night sky viewing with telescopes, hosted by the Salt Lake Astronomical Society (August 29, 30). A special postal cancellations stamp (August 30) Special Prehistory tours of ruins not usually available to the public.

September 27, 2008
Opening of Art Show featuring winners of the Plein Air Competition, at Edge of the Cedars Museum in Blanding, Utah.

November 3, 2008
The Plein Air Competition display moves to Museum of Moab in Moab, Utah.

November/December, 2008
Watch for Natural Bridges to be featured in an upcoming issue of National Geographic.

For more information, please contact Natural Bridges Visitor Center at (435) 692-1234.