THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESKPERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE
Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.
Applications are open for the 2027 Chesapeake Gateways Grants supporting enhanced outdoor recreation and heritage tourism in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The application period runs from Aug. 27 through Nov. 4, 2026. Visit the National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways website to learn more about the grants and how to apply.
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WILMINGTON, Del. — The National Park Service is proposing to allow bicycle use on approximately 25 miles of designated trails within the Brandywine Valley unit of First State National Historical Park and is seeking public comment on the proposed rule from July 30 through Sept. 28.
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The Washington-Rochambeau Trail introduces the All-American Road Trip; an America 250 initiative encouraging travelers to experience New Jersey’s Revolutionary War sites and follow the historic 1781 Franco-American march to Yorktown. The campaign launches alongside new national interest from Ken Burns’ The American Revolution.
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The National Park Service’s Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route NHT launches the All-American Road Trip, a major America 250 initiative inviting visitors to explore the historic 1781 march of American and French forces to Yorktown. Coinciding with renewed interest from Ken Burns’ The American Revolution, the campaign highlights living history events, educational programs, partnerships, and travel opportunities across the 680-mile trail, beginning in Newport and connecting communities from Rhode Island to Virginia.
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National trails enthusiast and lifelong explorer Frank Kos has accomplished a remarkable feat: visiting 30 out of 32 of our nation's national scenic and historic trails, each documented with a photo beside the trail’s official signage. What makes his journey extraordinary is his long-standing commitment not only to exploring segments of each trail, but also to creating a personal archive of memories through photographs and stories shared in a hand-crafted scrapbook chronicling decades of travel across America.
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The Brandywine Valley Trail Plan at First State National Historical Park can move forward. The plan defines a designated shared-use 27.8-mile trail network that will provide high-quality recreational opportunities, promote visitor safety and enjoyment and preserve connectivity with leased property within the Brandywine Valley section of the park and neighboring properties.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service has awarded $1.2 million in grants supporting 14 community-driven projects that highlight the natural, cultural, recreational, and historical significance of the Chesapeake region. The grants empower a mix of diverse partners, from local Tribes to local nonprofit organizations, to tell untold stories, promote community resilience, and enhance public access to the outdoors across this treasured landscape.
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The National Park Service (NPS) invites public input from July 2 to August 1, 2024, on a draft Trail Plan for First State National Historical Park’s Brandywine Valley unit. Public input will help shape the trail plan, which will establish a cohesive and sustainable trail network for the Brandywine Valley unit.
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George Washington Birthplace Hosts National Trails Day Event on June 1st, 2024. Participating organizations include the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail, Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail, The Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Northern Neck National Heritage Area, and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin.
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First State National Historical Park open's the park’s first welcome center at the Sheriff’s House, located in New Castle. The center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service (NPS) awarded $2,367,633.17 in Chesapeake Gateways Grants through the NPS Chesapeake Gateways Office in September to fund 22 projects. Governmental and non-governmental organizations spearhead the projects funded by Chesapeake Gateways grants to bring out familiar, untold, under-appreciated, or yet to be uncovered narratives and to promote resilient communities & landscapes through tourism, sustainability, conservation & local economies throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. These awards are made possible through annual appropriations from Congress.
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At an intimate naturalization ceremony at First State National Historical Park in New Castle, Delaware, 20 people from 12 different countries became United States citizens.
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NEW Traffic Pattern at Smith Bridge Parking Lot, beginning Saturday, May 27th
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NPS Chesapeake is pleased to announce new capacity to support and serve partners in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Two new members of the NPS Chesapeake leadership team have joined the office based in Annapolis, Maryland, bringing a wealth of experience: Ian Austin, Director of Administration and Eddie Gonzalez, Director of Partnerships and Grants. Three additional NPS employees have joined NPS Chesapeake office to lead key projects: Brent Everitt, Communications and Visitor Experience Specialist; Aurelia Gracia, Outdoor Recreation Planner; and Cherri Espersen, Partnerships Coordinator.
Official NPS sourceA new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 6,675,119 visitors to national parks in Maryland spent $246.6 million in the state in 2021. That spending resulted in 2,940 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $344.3 million.
Official NPS sourceA new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 2,187,125 visitors to national parks in West Virginia spent $108.9 million in the state in 2021. That spending resulted in 1,447 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $131 million.
Official NPS sourceLast week, National Park Service (NPS) Director Chuck Sams visited Colonial National Historical Park in Yorktown, Fort Monroe National Monument in Hampton, and Werowocomoco in Gloucester County, part of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail to learn about the vast diversity of these significant sites and the work that will need to be done to continue their preservation.
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The National Park Service and US Senator Tom Carper kicked off National Park Week Friday morning with a press event to celebrate the rehabilitation of the historic Sheriff’s House in New Castle, Delaware.
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Last Friday, April 1st, 2022, the Rappahannock Indian Tribe announced the return of 465 acres of land along the Rappahannock River. The donation of the conservation easement to the Tribe ensures that this ancestral homeland will be protected from development and remain in the hands of Tribal citizens for generations to come.
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The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail received an Open OutDoors for Kids grant from the National Park Foundation (NPF). This grant will support fourth-grade field trip programs that connect students living in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to their local environment and history.
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Kalen Anderson, this year's Lead Ancestral Lands Corps Individual Placement, has been selected Corps Member of the Year by The Corps Network. Kalen is one of three recipients of the award selected from among the more than 20,000 young people serving in Corps programs across the country.
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National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Gay Vietzke announced that Joshua Boles will serve as the new superintendent of First State National Historical Park in Delaware and Pennsylvania.
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The National Park Service (NPS) awarded a $5.4 million construction contract to rehabilitate the historic Sheriff’s House at First State National Historical Park in Delaware. The Sheriff’s House is a contributing feature to the New Castle National Historic Landmark Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Beginning November 29, 2021, First State National Historical Park will be restricting access to the Smith Bridge Parking Lot by closing the right side of the lot to allow for the landscape to recover and maintenance.
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On Saturday, August 28, 2021, National Park Service volunteer Sal Lilienthal completed a 680 mile revolutionary ride at the Yorktown Victory Monument, becoming the first person to complete a full ride of the Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail.
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Read the 2020 State of the Trail Report for the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.
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Through a Challenge Cost Share Grant from the National Park Trust, First State National Historical Park (NHP) and Stroud Water Research Center (the Stroud Center) developed an engaging youth program, called Youth Watershed Explorers, that consisted of a mix of at-home and in-park experiences.
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Werowocomoco was the residence of Powhatan and the site of the first meetings between Native leaders and English colonists. The new exhibit provides the public with its first opportunity to interact with this world-class archeological site.
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First State National Historical Park (NHP) Superintendent Cinda Waldbuesser has named Martina Meyers as the park’s first Chief Ranger.
Official NPS sourceThe Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (Chesapeake Trail) is pleased to announce that its first cohort of interns has completed the inaugural Ancestral Lands Corps Individual Placement Program at Werowocomoco, the historic capital of the Powhatan chiefdom and a site of international and historical significance located on Virginia's York River.
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The Archeological Overview and Assessment (AOA) of Werowocomoco, residence of Powhatan and the site of the first meetings between Native leaders and English colonists, was completed in November 2020. The 183-page report summarizes the current state of archeological research and offers direction for future preservation and management of the archeological resources found on this historical site, which was acquired by the National Park Service in 2016.
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During the week of November 16, 2020, the National Park Service will begin work on the rehabilitation of Sheriff’s House. The Sheriff’s House is adjacent to the New Castle Court House Museum on the Green in New Castle, Delaware.
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National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Gay Vietzke has named Rosalyn “Rose” Fennell as the new superintendent of Valley Forge National Historical Park, Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, and the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail in Pennsylvania. Fennell will begin her new assignment on September 27, 2020.
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After a thorough review of all comments, the National Park Service has decided to name the northern unit of the park Brandywine Valley.
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The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail (WARO) has announced a partnership with Philadelphia’s Museum of the American Revolution to highlight the lesser known stories of African Americans, indigenous populations, women and children and their contributions to the American Revolution. The partnership includes the commissioning of a painting by renowned American artist Don Troiani, in an exhibition of Troiani's work at the Museum.
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The National Park Service is working to determine a consistent name which will be used on park signs and in official documents to call the 1,100 acres of the park located in Wilmington DE. The park will hold an open house to gather public input into this decision. UPDATE: Out of an abundance of caution related to COVID-19, we are cancelling the open house scheduled for March 24th. Instead of a meeting, we will take written comments and questions until March 27th. Details can be found on the First State NHP Facebook Page.
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National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Gay Vietzke has named Cinda Waldbuesser as the new superintendent of First State National Historical Park in Delaware. Waldbuesser will begin her new assignment in January.
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The National Park Service Development Advisory Board has approved the project scope and schematic design for adaptive re-use of the historic Sheriff's House, a preliminary step in rehabilitation of the building. The Sheriff’s House is adjacent to the New Castle Courthouse on the Green in New Castle, Delaware.
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National Park Service (NPS) Northeast Regional Director Gay Vietzke has named Wendy O’Sullivan as the superintendent of the Chesapeake Bay Office, headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland.
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Over the course of four days in April and May, the park hosted nearly 1,000 Delaware 4th grade students to experience ArCH (Arts, Culture and Heritage) Preservation Field Days on The Green in Dover. ArCH Preservation Field Days is a yearly event, done in partnership with First State Heritage Park in Dover, to introduce elementary-aged students to all of the ways science, art, history and heritage relate to historic preservation.
Official NPS sourceFirst State National Historical Park, in partnership with the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, is initiating an archaeological investigation prior to the final planning for the rehabilitation of the Sheriff’s House and the adjacent exterior perimeter as the park’s new office and visitor center.
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The National Park Service and its principal non-profit partner Chesapeake Conservancy make available the short film, “Werowocomoco: Protecting a Powhatan Place of Power.” This film depicts the importance of preserving the historic and sacred site of the Virginia Indian people.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service has issued a decision regarding the future of the Sheriff’s House at First State National Historical Park and concluding the park’s environmental assessment (EA) planning process. The decision document, known as a Finding of No Significant Impact, or “FONSI,” describes the alternatives considered, the alternative selected for implementation, and the rationale used to make the selection. The FONSI also describes the mitigation measures that will be taken to ensure the protection of natural and cultural resources and the quality of the visitor experience at the park.
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The National Park Service (NPS) is offering a unique opportunity to manage approximately 350 acres of leased property within the First State National Historical Park (FRST) through a Request For Proposals (RFP). The leased property includes eleven single family homes, four horse farms and approximately 240 acres of agricultural land.
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Get ready to explore First State National Historical Park like never before! On May 20-21, First State will participate in the National Parks BioBlitz.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service and the Maryland Geocaching Society announce a six-week collaboration designed to introduce geocaching participants to national parks and public lands in Maryland.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service and the Maryland Geocaching Society announce a six-week collaboration designed to introduce geocaching participants to national parks and public lands in Maryland.
Official NPS sourceIn collaboration with federal, state, local government and non-profit partners, the National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Office recently published the Potomac River Segment Plan. This plan aims to serve park managers, visitors and residents through recreational and stewardship activities along the 140-mile tidal Potomac River where three national trails overlap.
Official NPS sourceNational Park Service Chesapeake Bay youth program used an Active Trails grant from the National Park Foundation for enhancements to a sensory-rich trail experience for people with special needs.
Official NPS sourceNational Park Service Chesapeake Bay received an Active Trails grant from the National Park Foundation. The funds were used to help build a sensory-rich trail experience for all people at Maryland's Patapsco Valley State Park.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service, Chesapeake Bay Office is accepting project proposals from Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Trail partners for financial assistance awards. Public water access site development projects that advance the development of designated Gateways water trails, the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, and/or the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail are the funding priority for fiscal year 2014.
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The NPS Chesapeake Bay Office and partner Chesapeake Conservancy hosted over fifty representatives from federal, state, local agencies and national and regional conservation groups recently at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Office announces the appointment of 23 members to the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Advisory Council.Members of the Council, appointed by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, will consult with the Secretary and the National Park Service on matters related to the trail, including trail development, public access, recreation opportunities, and educational programs along the trail route.
Official NPS sourceAdvisory Councils for the John Smith Trail and the Star-Spangled Banner Trail will meet together on October 7, 2013 in Washington, DC.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Office announces the appointment of 25 members to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail Advisory Council. Members of the Council, appointed by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, will consult with the Secretary and the National Park Service on matters related to the trail, including trail management, public access, recreation opportunities, and natural and cultural resource conservation along the trail route.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Office announced the appointment of 26 members to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail Advisory Council. Members of the Council, appointed by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, will consult with the Secretary and the National Park Service on matters related to trail management, public access, recreation opportunities, and natural and cultural resource conservation along the trail route.
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The National Park Service Northeast Regional Office has selected Charles E. "Chuck" Hunt as the new superintendent of the NPS Chesapeake Bay office.
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On Friday, June 21, 2013, nearly 300 people gathered to celebrate the protection of Werowocomoco, the principal residence of the secular and spiritual Indian leader Powhatan when Jamestown was settled in 1607.
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The book In Full Glory Reflected: Discovering the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake was recognized yesterday with an award by the Maryland Historical Trust. The book serves as the history and travel guide to the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail.
Official NPS sourceNPS and the Chesapeake Conservancy released a report summarizing the 2-day Large Landscape Conservation Workshop attended by 56 Chesapeake region conservation practitioners in August, 2012.
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NPS and the Chesapeake Conservancy released a report summarizing the 2-day Large Landscape Conservation Workshop attended by 56 Chesapeake region conservation practitioners in August, 2012.
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NPS Chesapeake Bay Office announced financial assistance for 21 partners and 24 projects totaling over $1.3 million. These projects focus on education, youth employment, and public access and trail development.
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The NPS Chesapeake Bay Office invested $1.36M with 21 partners for 24 projects in youth engagement, education, public access, and trail development on the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail.
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On July 30, 2012, the National Park Service officially launched the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail in a ceremony recognizing the hard work of partners from all nine regions of the trail.
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Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar designated four water trails as new historic components of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. The designation recognizes the significance of four connecting rivers -- the Susquehanna, Chester, Upper James, and Upper Nanticoke -- to the history, cultural heritage, and natural resources of the trail. Designation enables NPS to work closely with state and local agencies and other partners to provide technical and financial assistance, resource management, facility enhancement, interpretive trail route marking and promotion along the connecting trails. Government and tribal leaders, conservation partners, and interested citizens joined Secretary Salazar and NPS Director Jon Jarvis in a signing ceremony on May 16, 2012 at Sandy Point State Park.
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Four historic connecting components to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail were designated by DOI Secretary Salazar. Trail partners gathered at Sandy Point State Park in Maryland for the signing ceremony.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service and the Commonwealth of Virginia are launching projects in 2012 to orient visitors to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and to provide interpretive and recreational opportunities.
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Eleven geocaches are added to the Captain John Smith GeoTrail and celebrated in a launch event in Onancock Virginia, a Gateways Network and John Smith Trail partner site.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Office announced the appointment of 25 members to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail Advisory Council.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service Chesapeake Bay released its draft Comprehensive Management Plan/Environmental Assessment for Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail today. Public review of the plan is encouraged and comments may be made for thirty days.
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