Founders Day Contemplations at Sitka National Historical Park

Dedicated as a public park by President Harrison in 1890, SNHP not only holds the distinction as one of the oldest federally recognized parks, but also is well known for the amazing Haida and Tlingit poles along its trails and fine examples of Northwest Coast "Formline" art in its Visitor Center.

NPS photo

When you consider the words “National Park” what images come to mind?

Did you know that photographers and painters played an instrumental role in convincing Congress that certain places are so unique in character they are worth cherishing and protecting for the enjoyment and inspiration of future generations?

By venturing out on horseback with surveyors exploring features of the American west, photographers and painters captured the stunning, rugged and bizarre beauty of the Yellowstone region and beyond. This eventually led to the creation of the National Park Service!

The photographs that William Jackson took and the paintings created by Thomas Moran during this trip were presented to congress, and on March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a law, making Yellowstone National Park - the nation’s first. Since then, hundreds of places have been set aside for the benefit of the public, and we have many artists to thank.

We thank the painters, from traditional landscape artists like Thomas "Yellowstone" Moran to modern day eco- artists, for drawing our attention to the beautiful places in our nation and what we can do to keep them beautiful for future generations.

We celebrate the modern photographers whose images have put our parks on the map. From Ansel Adam's black and white images of a full moon over Half Dome in Yosemite, to Thomas Mangelsen's bears fishing for salmon on the falls of Katmai National Park. Thanks to spectacular captures on film, people all over the world associate a famous image with a specific location.

Art isn't always visual. Poets, song writers, composers and dancers ignite our appreciation for our parks in spectacular, innovative and beautiful ways. From the words of John Muir, arguably the most quoted person in the National Park Service to the sick beats being laid down by the most contemporary artists of today, our hats go off to you for inspiring generations of visitors to explore their parks.

Art reminds us we are human. We acknowledge that long before these landscapes and locations were set aside and preserved for the public to enjoy, they belonged to someone else. Whether the park is on the land of Native people, or the birthplace of an iconic leader, or a memorial site of a momentous event, these places have history. We thank the artists of every genre who bring the history of national parks to life.

On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the "Organic Act" which stated that the purpose of the newly formed National Park Service was "to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife therein, and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Over the years this date has become known in the National Park Service as "Founders Day"- perhaps the word "Birthday" seemed to frivolous? No matter the name, many parks across the nation set aside time to celebrate.

What inspires you to visit your National Parks? Do you share photos and stories of your experiences with others? Through the common use of social media YOU can be the next to creatively inspire the enjoyment and protection of these places for future generations.