Last updated: August 23, 2026
Article
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.
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.
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.
Thematic Overview
Topic: NPS Superintendent Annual Reports
Creator: National Park Service
Inclusive Dates: 1904-2006
Bulk Dates: 1969-2005
Language of Materials: English
Digitized copies: Some SARs have been digitized as a result of prior research requests.
Conditions Governing Access: This collection is open to research use.
Conditions Governing Use: Documents in this collection were created by federal employees as part of their official duties and are in the public domain. There are no known restrictions on the use of these materials. See the NPS general copyright & restrictions information.
Provenance: Duplicate copies of annual reports prepared by park superintendents and sent to the NPS History Collection from various sources over many years
Processing Note: This thematic guide was created in 2024 by Allison Phelps in August 2024 and updated by Eleanore Kohorn in 2026.
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.
Use the search box to the right to search only within the table. Some SARs include more than one park. In those instances, the additional unit names or codes and years are listed in the notes column for the lead park.
Use the search box to the right to search only within the table. Some SARs include more than one park. In those instances, the additional unit names or codes and years are listed in the notes column for the lead park.
| Unit Name | Unit Code | Report Dates | Notes |
|---|
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Looking for something else? Our NPS History Collection finding aids are available to help with your research.