What We Do

Who We Are

For almost 100 years the National Park Service's History Program has offered a window into the historical richness of the National Park Service and the opportunities it presents for understanding who we are, where we've been, and how we, as a society, might approach the future.

We are located in Washington, DC and since 1931, when NPS Director Horace Albright hired Verne E. Chatelain as the first Chief Historian, the program has been led by the Chief Historian of the National Park Service.

3 images. Two people standing behind a display table talking to a third person, a group of three people looking at a large whiteboard with sticky notes, two people sitting behind an office table talking to a third person seated in front of the table.

What We Do

The Park History Program preserves and protects our nation’s cultural and natural resources by aiding in and undertaking historical research, documentation, training, and interpretation on:

  • The National Park Service
  • National Park units
  • National Park Service Programs
  • National Historic Landmarks
  • National Register Nominations in Parks
  • Oral Histories
  • Park Planning
  • Special History Studies
  • Administrative Histories
  • Historic Resource Studies
  • Interpretive Plans
  • Management Plans

Our staff helps evaluate proposed new parks as well as support NPS staff and partners in parks, regional offices, and Washington, DC in all matters relating to the history and mission of the National Park Service.

In addition, the Park History Program administers:

Administrative History Program

Provides guidance to parks and programs undertaking new administrative histories or updating existing administrative histories.

African American Civil Rights Network

Coordinates and facilitates federal and non-federal activities to commemorate, honor and interpret “…the history of the African American Civil Rights movement; the significance of the civil rights movement as a crucial element in the evolution of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; and the relevance of the African American Civil Rights movement in fostering the spirit of social justice and national reconciliation."

American WWII Heritage City Program

Recognizes and ensures the continued preservation and importance of the history of the United States involvement in World War II. The Secretary of the Interior designates one jurisdiction (cities, counties, towns, townships, etc.) from each state and territory as a World War II Heritage City in recognition of its contributions to the American WWII war effort and its continuing work to preserve its World War II history.

Historic Resource Studies

Broad baseline research reports that provide an historical overview of a national park or region. They also identify and evaluate above-ground cultural resources in the study area within historic contexts.

Maritime Heritage Program and Grants

Helps to document and preserve both National Park Service and other nationally significant historic maritime resources. The program also administers the National Maritime Heritage Grant Program which provides matching funds for maritime preservation, restoration, and education and the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act Program.

National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act Program

The National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000 provides a mechanism for the disposal of federally-owned historic light stations that have been declared excess to the needs of the responsible agency.

The Act allows these historic light stations to be transferred at no cost to federal agencies, state and local governments, nonprofit corporations, educational agencies, and community development organizations.

Oral History Program

Uses in-depth interviews to document the history of the National Park Service, the experiences of its people, and the stories of communities and persons associated with parks and historic events. It also works to improve oral history practices in the NPS through training, webinars, and making oral history resources available to NPS staff and partners.

Park National Register and NHL Documentation Program

As the Deputy Federal Preservation Office for the National Park Service, the Park History Program manages park National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks documentation. The program assists parks and regional offices with National Register and National Historic Landmark nomination preparation and updates.

Special History Studies

Occasional historic research studies on topics ranging from a specific resource to a broad theme or National Park unit. They contain in-depth research and are meant to focus specifically on the history of their topic.

Last updated: March 1, 2024

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