Parked at Home

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NPS/Pearson

Explore America's national parks from the comfort of home.

Register now (Zoom)

Every park has a story. During this virtual series, we'll connect with people from across the country to talk about special places and complex stories at National Park Service sites. Join us to learn more about a place that might be close to home or in a destination you dream of visiting. Each hour-long program includes a presentation and time for questions and answers.

All visitors can attend these free Parked at Home programs, hosted on Thursday eventings at 7 p.m. in March and April. This year's lineup runs from March 19 through April 23, 2026. Thanks to our partner, Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, for supporting this program. 

An American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter will provide signing services for all 6 programs. If you have any questions or concerns about accessibility, please contact Ranger Mark Mello.

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March 19, 2026 - Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site

Danville, California
America's only Nobel-Prize winning playwright, Eugene O'Neill, chose Northern California as his sanctuary at the pinnacle of his writing career. While secluded from the outside world within the serene walls of his Tao House, O'Neill crafted his final and most memorable masterpieces. Through his innovative storytelling and unflinching examination of the human condition, O'Neill has left an indelible mark on the world of theater, ensuring his legacy will endure for generations to come. In this program, rangers will discuss the role of literature in shaping culture, from coast to coast. 

March 26, 2026 - Hamilton Grange National Memorial

New York, New York
One of the most iconic and controversial Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton's legacy is enshrined in his uptown Manhattan estate. As the first Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton took a particular interest in industrial development in the United States. Learn about the rise of industry from two very different perspectives, with a focus on Hamilton's ideas and Samuel Slater's early experiments in textiles in Rhode Island. Tune in to learn more about two complex figures who played a pivotal role in the country's development from colony to country. 

April 2, 2026 - Cowpens National Battlefield 

Gaffney, South Carolina
By January 1781, the struggle for American independence entered its seventh year. With British forces pushing through the southern colonies, it seemed as though the "American experiment" might end before it even began. When British and colonial forces met on South Carolina farm fields, the stakes were high. Join rangers from two National Park Service sites as they discuss the Battle of Cowpens, which is often referred to as the turning point of the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War. 

April 9, 2026 - Frances Perkins National Monument

Newcastle, Maine
In 2024, Frances Perkins National Monument became one of the newest units of the National Park Service. This designation recognizes Frances Perkins (1880-1965) as an important figure in United States history. Perkins was the first female Cabinet Secretary and the architect of the New Deal. Perkins championed many labor rights that Americans enjoy today, including workplace safety standards, Social Security, and shorter workweeks. Learn how to plan a trip to the Perkins homestead in Maine and more about Perkins's impressive career fighting for workers across the United States. 
This talk will feature a staff member from the Frances Perkins Center. 

April 16, 2026 - Effigy Mounds National Monument

Harpers Ferry, Iowa
In the Upper Mississippi River Valley, there were thousands of sacred earthen mounds built by American Indians. During this talk, a ranger from Effigy Mounds National Monument will discuss the cultural landscape within the Monument, which includes over 200 mounds in geometric shapes, as well as bears and birds. This talk will also discuss the continued use of the landscape, including the underexplored industrial history of the site. From a sawmill run by Jefferson Davis, to the web of logging roads and quarries constructed by laborers, the lands that now comprise the park contain thousands of years of human history. 

April 23, 2026 - Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park

Middletown, Virginia
Belle Grove Plantation relied on the labor of over 276 enslaved people between 1783 and 1852 during its peak as one of the largest farms in Frederick County, Virginia. Isaac Hite, Jr., historical owner of Belle Grove, fought in the War of Independence. How did he, his family members, and neighbors come to rebel against their king? A park ranger will discuss the Shenandoah Valley's role in the American Revolution and how the promises of an unfinished revolution influenced people who lived there, both free and enslaved, during the Civil War. 

Details

Duration

45-60 Minutes

Programs last around 60 minutes

Activity

Guided Tours

Age(s)

There is no age restrictions on particpating in this program

Pets Allowed

Yes

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Virtual Programs

These programs are held virtually in partnership with the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. All programs are held on Zoom. Please register for link.

Reservations

Yes

Please click here to register for this program. A link will be sent to your email.

Season

Winter

Programs are held on Thursday in March and April. 

Time of Day

Night

Programs are hosted at 7:00 PM Eastern Time

Accessibility Information

An American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter will provide signing services for all 6 programs. If you have any questions or concerns about accessibility, please contact Ranger Mark Mello