Guide to the NPS Superintendent Annual Reports

This thematic guide provides a list of NPS superintendent annual reports (SARs) found in various archival collections within the NPS History Collection. SARs in individual park museum collections are not included. Researchers must contact parks directly for information about SARs in their museum archives.

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Thematic Overview

Topic: NPS Superintendent Annual Reports
Inclusive Dates: 1914-2006 (Bulk Dates: 1969-2005)
Language of Materials: English

Digitized copies: Some SARs have been digitized as a result of prior research requests.

Conditions Governing Use: This collection is open to research use. See the NPS general copyright & restrictions information.

Processing Note: This thematic guide was created in 2024 and updated in 2025 from collections processed and described by Allison Phelps and Eleanore Kohorn.

Rights Statements for Archival Description: This Guide to the NPS Superintendent Annual Reports is in the public domain.
Preferred Citation: Citations for specific SARs will be provided when requested as they may be part of different collections.
Location of Repository: NPS History Collection, Harpers Ferry Center, PO Box 50, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425

Scope and Content Note

Superintendent annual reports (SARs) prepared to provide the NPS director with an annual summary of the park's highlights, management issues, success, and needs. Most follow a similar format and discuss recurring subjects, including administration; personnel; budget and finance; special events; concession operations; interpretation; environmental education; historic preservation; visitor services; law enforcement; fish and wildlife management; fee collection; grounds and facility management; roads and trails; research and publications; youth conservation corps; and public affairs. Park-specific recurring topics such as animal attacks, beach erosion, or similar subjects are included in some reports where applicable. The earliest reports follow different formats and were submitted to the secretary of the Interior prior to the creation of the NPS in 1916.

List of SARs

The table below provides a list of the available SARs in the NPS History Collection. Please note that this thematic guide is still being developed. Due to the wide interest in these reports, however, a partial list (currently ABLI-MOCR) is provided. Updates will be made as collection processing continues.

Use the search box to the right to search only within the table.

List of Superintendents Annual Reports in the NPS History Collection.

Unit Name	Acronym	Dates	Notes

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