Home Shenandoah National Park celebrates National Park Service history
Local

Shenandoah National Park celebrates National Park Service history

Contributors

shenandoah national parkStephen T. Mather was a successful businessman, brilliant promoter, and a visionary who became the first director of the National Park Service (NPS) in 1916, setting the standard for all who followed.

To honor Director Mather and celebrate the NPS Centennial, a special one-hour, costumed, living history interpretive program will be presented twice this season. “An Interview with Stephen Mather” features Shenandoah National Park Superintendent Jim Northup portraying Stephen Mather in 1929, near the end of his stellar career.

Interpretive Park Ranger Michael Punches will portray a newspaper reporter asking questions about the many challenging issues regarding the formation and development of the National Park Service.

The events are set for 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 10th at the Skyland Amphitheater and at 8:30 p.m. on Founders Day, August 25th at the Big Meadows Amphitheater for this entertaining glimpse into the creation, development, and early history of the National Park Service.

Contributors

Contributors

Have a guest column, letter to the editor, story idea or a news tip? Email editor Chris Graham at [email protected]. Subscribe to AFP podcasts on Apple PodcastsSpotifyPandora and YouTube.