Growing Pains: Army Air Service Patrols of National Forests, 1919-1920

Today’s post is written by Richard Elsom, an Archivist at the National Archives at Denver. Since the early years of the twentieth century, the US Forest Service has been occupied by fire. What began with hastily formed crews of locals, usually with no firefighting experience, later developed into a trained and organized firefighting force that … Continue reading Growing Pains: Army Air Service Patrols of National Forests, 1919-1920

“Do You Smell Smoke?” Fire Houses, Fire Lookouts, and Fire Observation Towers

This post is part of an ongoing series of posts featuring records from the National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records, 2013 – 2017 (NAID 20812721), a series within Record Group 79: Records of the National Park Service.  Friendship Engine Station in Alexandria Virginia (NAID 135805057; Local ID: 30-N-36686-A). August, the … Continue reading “Do You Smell Smoke?” Fire Houses, Fire Lookouts, and Fire Observation Towers

“I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream”

This post is part of an ongoing series of posts featuring records from the National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records, 2013 - 2017 (NAID 20812721), a series within Record Group 79: Records of the National Park Service.  Boys Making Ice Cream (NAID: 12461144; Local ID: 75-PR-633) The month of July … Continue reading “I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream”

From Sea to Shining Sea: Lighthouses of America in the Records of the National Register of Historic Places

Maine - Owls Head (NAID: 45691056, Local Identifier: 26-LG-4-59). One of the things I love most about working at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is that I can always look at records about lighthouses, structures that I have always loved – I spent nearly every summer growing up at my grandmother’s house in … Continue reading From Sea to Shining Sea: Lighthouses of America in the Records of the National Register of Historic Places

National Park Service Passport Handy? Come Tour the Nation’s National Register of Historic Places

Map of the United States and their Territories (National Archives Identifier 6860623). In this time of the Covid-19 pandemic, with so many people at home, summer vacation plans on hold or canceled, the future of schools and work in question, staff at the National Archives Electronic Records Division invite you to “see the USA” but … Continue reading National Park Service Passport Handy? Come Tour the Nation’s National Register of Historic Places

“I Am Indeed Proud to Have the Opportunity to Present These Memoranda”: The Environmentalist Photographer Meets the Conservation President

By Daria Labinsky, Archivist at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum Together, Mr. President, I am certain we can indeed do this one right the first time! - Ansel Adams to Jimmy Carter, November 6, 1979.[1] While legendary photographer Ansel Adams is best known for his dramatic landscapes, he made images in many genres, … Continue reading “I Am Indeed Proud to Have the Opportunity to Present These Memoranda”: The Environmentalist Photographer Meets the Conservation President

We Hold the Rock!

Today’s post is written by Joseph Gillette, Archivist at the National Archives at College Park. On March 21, 1963, the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, often referred to simply as Alcatraz or “the Rock”, closed. High costs, deteriorating physical conditions, and a notorious reputation for brutality all contributed to the decision to close what was generally considered … Continue reading We Hold the Rock!

The Great “Adobe Inn” Move of 1962

Today's post is written by Cody White, Archivist at the National Archives at Denver “It is a pleasure for me to come out here and help blow up this valley in the cause of progress.” So stated President John F. Kennedy on August 18, 1962, as he stood atop a simple wooden stage 10 miles … Continue reading The Great “Adobe Inn” Move of 1962

“Throw Dummy Off Dam;” Filming at the Hoover Dam

Today's post is written by Cody White, archivist at the National Archives at Denver. "Cut to a close-up of the turbines turning. Cut to water pouring over the dam. Cut to the kid spitting out and over the dam. Cut to the kid looking down at the water rushing past.  Voice over; 'Coming March 15th, … Continue reading “Throw Dummy Off Dam;” Filming at the Hoover Dam

The Bureau of Reclamation’s Push to Create the Shoshone Cavern National Monument

Today’s post is written by Cody White, Archivist at the National Archives at Denver. “The cave was discovered by a man and his dog.” So University of Wyoming Professor Emeritus of History Phil Roberts succinctly explained it in a 2015 Wyoming State Historical Society blog post about Shoshone Cavern, Wyoming’s second named national monument and … Continue reading The Bureau of Reclamation’s Push to Create the Shoshone Cavern National Monument