Date: August 21, 2007
Contact: Jim LaRock, 507-825-5464
Superintendent Jim LaRock announced today that Pipestone National Monument will celebrate Founder’s Day on Saturday, August 25, 2007, to commemorate the establishment of both the National Park Service and Pipestone National Monument.
Congress established the National Park Service on August 25, 1916, with thirty-five national parks and monuments administered under the Department of Interior. This year the National Park Service is celebrating its 91st birthday. Pipestone National Monument was added to the system by Congress on August 25, 1937. Today, 391 units make up the National Park System.
The Monument will provide complimentary cake and coffee to visitors at the Pipestone National Monument Visitor Center between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. The visitor center hours on the 25th will be 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
As a bonus for Monument visitors, the winners of the first annual photography contest will be on display in the visitor center. Sponsored by the Friends of Pipestone National Monument, this contest promotes interest and enjoyment of the scenic beauty of the Monument, as well as offering prizes for the winning entries. Stop in to enjoy the many different photographs of the Monument. Members of the Friends group will be on hand to answer any questions about the contest, or on how to become a Friend of the Monument.
To promote the Monument’s Junior Ranger program there will be free admission on Founder’s Day to all youth, and their families, who participate in this program. Upon completion of an activity sheet, participants will receive a certificate and an official Junior Ranger badge. In addition, all youth receiving a Junior Ranger badge will be eligible to enter a raffle to win a Pipestone National Monument Annual Pass. The Pass will admit the youth and all family members for one full year. The Junior Ranger program educates youth on the Monument’s cultural and natural resources.
