Centennial Event: Celebrate Founder's Day at Mesa Verde

Four historic images of the park and visitors
From left to right: Cliff Palace, pre-excavation; Accident on the Knife Edge Road; Ranger Force, 1938; and Balcony House during stabilization. (NPS Photos)
 
Celebrate the National Park Service Centennial Birthday at Mesa Verde National Park! Events are scheduled throughout the day. There is something for everyone. Printer friendly version, 8.5" x 14", pdf (660 kb)

10:00 am -- Founder's Day Celebration
Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center
Join us for the kick-off to the National Park Service birthday celebration. The crew of the USS Mesa Verde will present the colors, followed by speakers and a birthday cake.

9:00 am and 3:00 pm -- Curation Tours
Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center
The behind-the-scenes tour will focus on the artifacts and archives associated with Mesa Verde "famous folks" who helped shape Mesa Verde National Park. Space is limited. Call 970-529-4614 or 970-529-5074 for a reservation.

11:30 am and 1:30 pm -- Zia Buffalo Dancers
Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center
The Zia Buffalo Dancers from Zia Pueblo, New Mexico will perform this traditional Pueblo dance.

8:30 am to 2:30 pm -- Book Reading & Signing
Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum
Children's book reading and signing by author, Betty Bauer.

1:00 pm -- Historic District Walking Tour
Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum
"The Way We Were" -- Join Jesse Nusbaum, Mesa Verde's first superintendent, for a 1.5 hour walking tour that explores the Chapin Mesa Historic District.

3:00 pm -- Junior Ranger Pledge and Ceremony
Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum
Junior Rangers -- bring your completed Mesa Verde Junior Ranger booklets to the museum for a special "swearing-in ceremony" by Park Superintendent Cliff Spencer.

8:00 pm -- Centennial Campground Evening Program
Morefield Campground Amphitheater
Participate in a special evening program reminiscent of early National Park Service campfire talks. Enjoy a traditional sing-a-long, birthday cupcakes, group photo, and a slide program, "For Future Generations: The Story of America's National Parks."

Last updated: August 19, 2016

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 8
Mesa Verde National Park, CO 81330

Phone:

970-529-4465

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