|
Contact: Meg Scheid, 207-454-3871
The National Park Service invites visitors of all ages to join in the celebration of its 100th birthday throughout the month of August. With special events across the country, and free admission to all 412 national parks from August 25 through August 28, the NPS is encouraging everyone to #FindYourPark / #EncuentraTuParque for the centennial. "August –our birthday month –will be a nationwide celebration of national parks, and we're inviting everyone to the party," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "We like to think that we look pretty good for 100, and with so many events and activities to commemorate this milestone, we hope all Americans will join us to celebrate the breathtaking landscapes and inspiring history in our nation's parks and public lands. Whether it is in a distant state or in your own community, there are hundreds of ways and places to find your park." Saint Croix Island International Historic Site, located eight miles south of downtown Calais on US Route 1, is planning a birthday party to raise awareness of the National Park Service's presence in Washington County. "Everyone is invited to join us at the site on Saturday, August 27," said Meg Scheid, park ranger at the site. "We'll gather as many people as possible to sing happy birthday at 2:00 p.m. and enjoy a piece of cake!" Throughout the day, park staff will offer short talks on the history of the National Park Service, the story of the Saint Croix Island 1604 settlement, and a variety of other programs including the Junior Ranger Program for children and their families. "All programs are free of charge, and as always, there is no entrance fee to Saint Croix Island International Historic Site," Scheid said. The visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through October 10. National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. ™ In addition to the August 27 celebration in the park, Scheid encourages everyone to keep an eye on their local news to learn about community partners who are helping celebrate the Centennial. "Local artists will paint canvases in the park, bakeries will create cookies in the shape of the National Park Service arrowhead logo, ham radio operators will share observations across air waves, the Calais Free Library will show the Ken Burn's film series, The National Parks: America's Best Idea, and local book stores will feature related National Park Service books and literature," said Scheid. "We hope you'll join us or one of our partners this month to help celebrate one hundred years of the National Park Service preserving America's national treasures." Find Your Park to celebrate the Centennial On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the act that created the National Park Service "to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for future generations." To celebrate the 100th anniversary of that moment and to look ahead to the next 100 years, in early 2015 the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation launched the Find Your Park / Encuentra Tu Parque movement. Inspiring people from all backgrounds to celebrate and support America's national parks and community-based programs, #FindYourPark / #EncuentraTuParque invites people to discover and share their own unique connections to our nation's natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history. |
Last updated: August 8, 2016