Last updated: August 27, 2026
Article
Guide to the H. Raymond Gregg Papers
This finding aid describes the H. Raymond Gregg Papers, part of the NPS History Collection. To search this guide for names, places, key words, or phrases enter Ctrl F on your keyboard (command key + F key on a Mac). Request an in-person research appointment or get more information by contacting the archivist.
Collection Overview
Collection Number: HFCA 3648Accession Number: HFCA-00514
Creator: Gregg, Howard Raymond (1905-1987)
Title: H. Raymond Gregg Papers
Dates: 1922-1976
Extent: 0.3 LF
Language of Materials: English
Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized.
Conditions Governing Access: This collection is open to research use.
Conditions Governing Use: Some of the reports and other reference materials in this collection were not produced by the NPS. See https://rightsstatements.org/page/CNE/1.0/?language=en. See also the NPS general archives copyright & restrictions information.
Provenance: Donated by H. Raymond Gregg to the NPS History Collection in 1976.
Processing Note: This collection was processed by Mikaela Wilson in June 2026.
Rights Statements for Archival Description: This guide is in the public domain.
Preferred Citation: H. Raymond Gregg Papers (HFCA 3648), NPS History Collection
Location of Repository: NPS History Collection, Harpers Ferry Center, PO Box 50, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
Related Materials:
- National Park Service Regional Offices Collection (HFCA 3522), NPS History Collection
- NPS Employee and Alumni Association Records (HFCA 1645), NPS History Collection
- Papers Related to Conrad L. Wirth (HFCA 1645), NPS History Collection
- Newspaper Clipping Collection: The Superintendency of H. Raymond Gregg, National Park Service, Gateway Arch National Park Archives
Biographical Note
Howard Raymond Gregg was born September 6, 1905, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He graduated from Fort Smith High School in 1922 before going on to Hendrix College where he graduated cum laude in 1927 with an Artium Baccalaureus (A.B.). Afterwards he undertook graduate and special studies at the University of Arkansas, Northwestern University, George Washington University, and the University of Omaha. He married his wife, Jeanette King, in 1927. From 1927 to 1933 Gregg worked as an athletic director and administrator for several public schools in Arkansas. At one point, he was also superintendent of a public school in Havana, Arkansas.Gregg’s first National Park Service (NPS) position was a temporary appointment as a park police officer at Hot Springs National Park (HOSP) in 1934. In 1936 Gregg became a park naturalist at Rocky Mountain National Park (ROMO). While at ROMO he gained renown for his “Nature Sketches” program, where he hosted informal natural history discussions with children, which was broadcast on the nationwide radio network NBC. Gregg also developed a junior nature school, nature scouts and girl naturalists’ program at ROMO.
Gregg joined the US Navy in 1942, working in recruiting and training activities. He was discharged as a lieutenant in 1945 and returned to his position at ROMO. In 1947 he became a park naturalist at the National Capital Parks (NCP). In 1950 Gregg was promoted to assistant chief naturalist at the Washington Support Office (WASO) where he directed naturalist activities Servicewide. He stayed at WASO until becoming the regional chief of interpretation in 1954 at the Midwest Regional Office (MWRO). In 1959 he became superintendent of HOSP and in 1962 he became superintendent of Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (now Gateway Arch National Park, JEFF). While in this position he oversaw the construction of the Gateway Arch. Gregg remained at JEFF until his retirement from the NPS in 1965. That same year, he received the Department of the Interior’s Meritorious Service award.
After his retirement, Gregg continued an active role in the NPS, working on several projects. He contributed to the Western Forts Study (1965), Fort Union Landmark Presentation, Prairie Park-Oregon Trail Proposal in Nebraska, the HOSP Bathhouse Row Study (1966), numerous landmarks studies (1965 to 1968), the Antelope Hills Study (1969), and served as a consultant for the Hot Springs Master Plan Study Team (1969). He was also involved in the work to authorize the Buffalo National River (BUFF).
Throughout his career Gregg wrote many articles and publications regarding the NPS, primarily the interpreter naturalist program. His writings were published in Southern Living, Science Books Quarterly (AAAS), the Arkansas Gazette, the Hot Springs Sentinel-Record, Parks and Recreation Magazine, Living Wilderness, Scientific Monthly, American Forests, The Instructor, and National Parks Magazine. Gregg also wrote the book Birds of Rocky Mountain National Park (1938).
Gregg was an active member of the Society of American Foresters, Audubon Society, American Nature Society, American Institute of Park Executives, Potomac Area Council of the Camp Fire Girls, The Nature Conservancy, National Parks Association, and Wilderness Society.
Gregg died on December 1, 1987.
Sources
H. Raymond Gregg Papers (HFCA 3648), NPS History Collection.NPS Employee and Alumni Association Records, Assembled Historic Records of the NPS (HFCA 1645), NPS History Collection.
Scope and Content
Articles and publications, studies, NPS project desk files and reports, maps, newspaper clippings, postcards, magazines, speeches and lecture manuscripts, professional and personal correspondence, and historical papers about Colorado and ROMO H. Raymond Gregg kept during his NPS tenure (1933-1965) and post-retirement. Topics include the NPS interpretive naturalist program and position expectations, as well as ROMO nature programs, environmental awareness and education, recreation, naturalist training, landmark evaluations, and his retirement. Papers detailing the 1956 ROMO integration experiment combining the naturalist department with the ranger force are also included. NPS sites mentioned include HOSP, JEFF, ROMO, BUFF, as well as Antelope Hills and other proposed national parks and monuments. Notable individuals include Conrad L. Wirth, George B. Hartzog Jr., President Lyndon B. Johnson, Governor Orval Faubus, Ray Mattison, and Ronald F. Lee. Association of Interpretive Naturalists award includes Gregg’s biographical information. Gregg added notes on some of the documents to describe what they are and their importance.Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject.Container List
BOX 01Folder 01: Antelope Hills & Prairie National Park [Proposed], 1967, 1968, undated
Folder 02: Articles and Publications, 1950-1971, undated [1 of 2]
Folder 03: Articles and Publications, 1950-1971, undated [2 of 2]
Folder 04: Articles and Publications, Carver Childhood Trail, undated
Folder 05: Award, Association of Interpretive Naturalists, 1973
Folder 06: Clifton Gorge, 1967-1969
Folder 07: Colorado & ROMO History, 1922-1946, undated
Folder 08: Correspondence: Personal, 1950-1974, undated
Folder 09: Correspondence: Professional, 1935-1976
Folder 10: HOSP Bathhouse Row Study, 1966
Folder 11: HOSP Position Evaluation Data, 1960
Folder 12: Interpretive Naturalist Position Descriptions, 1952-1954
Folder 13: Intra-American Conference on Conservation ROMO Field Trip, 1948
Folder 14: JEFF, 1963-1968, undated
Folder 15: Maps, 1964-1967
BOX 02
Folder 01: National Landmark Evaluations, 1965-1968, undated
Folder 02: ROMO Ranger-Interpretive Integration Experiment, 1956
Folder 03: ROMO Youth Nature Program Materials, 1937-1945, undated
Folder 04: Talk Manuscripts, 1952-1965 [1 of 2]
Folder 05: Talk Manuscripts, 1952-1965 [2 of 2]